An impressive set with a number of high-quality barristers’, praised by some as ‘the strongest set in the South West for personal injury litigation’.”

The Legal 500 2024, Personal Injury

Our Personal Injury Fraud team consists of members who have expertise and experience in all types of personal injury cases where fraud is suspected.

Fraud has become more commonplace in recent years and litigation in this area is increasing. Recent ‘crash for cash’ documentaries only highlight the problems faced by insurers. Given the current economic climate, it appears likely that practitioners specialising in such work will become more in demand.

We recognise the need which insurers have for barristers with knowledge of such claims, and have set up a dedicated team of barristers who can offer insurers the service they require. Our Personal Injury Fraud team receives a significant number of instructions per week, and are able to provide quick turn-around times where required.

Barristers deal with cases from the pre-issue stage through to trial.

Areas of expertise:

  • Staged accidents (including fraud rings)
  • Phantom passenger claims
  • Low velocity impacts
  • Exaggerated claims

Barristers understand the heavy evidential burden upon insurers in all cases and are able to advise insurers on the necessary steps to be taken in order to succeed at trial. Our team is also approved to act on behalf of several major Insurers.

We are also fully aware of the financial implications of a fraudulent claim, and of the difficult balance to be struck between proving fraud and recovering the costs expended in doing so.

Many current fraud ring trials are currently taking place in Northern Courts and members are prepared to travel.

WINNER - TEAM OF THE YEAROur Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Clerking team won ‘Team of the Year 2023’ by Bristol Law Society.

Our Clerking team enjoy a national reputation for the reliable, helpful and efficient service they provide to clients, always going that extra mile. The  clerks headed up by Adam Marston and Hugh Maguire and their team, Lara Hanney and Jordan Yandell, are consistently praised for their high standard client service in Chambers UK and The Legal 500.

Training

We design and deliver many seminars and workshops and are always happy to provide bespoke training to meet your team’s individual needs. Please contact Adam Marston or Hugh Maguire, Practice Managers, to discuss the extensive portfolio of workshops and bespoke seminars that we offer clients.

Personal Injury Fraud Team

Richard Stead

  • Call: 1979

One of Chambers’ most senior barristers, Richard has an extensive practice which encompasses personal injury, clinical negligence, professional negligence claims and property damage matters, including a number of high profile cases. Richard’s practice is also complemented by his...

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Andrew McLaughlin

Andrew McLaughlin

  • Call: 1993

Andrew covers a broad spectrum of personal injury fraud work which includes dishonest claims for fire and other property damage, false claims for theft or loss of property, fraudulent or exaggerated personal injury claims, fraudulent critical illness, disability...

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Julian Horne

Julian Horne

  • Call: 1998

Julian is an experienced personal injury barrister with expertise across the field. In addition to experience with alleged fraud (including phantom passengers, staged accidents and low-velocity impacts) in road traffic cases, Julian has also dealt successfully with fraudulent...

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Justin Valentine

  • Call: 1999

Justin undertakes all aspects of personal injury work acting predominantly for claimants.  He has a particular interest in workplace claims (especially where liability expert evidence is required) and claims involving vulnerable road users (children, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists).  His...

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Darren Lewis

Darren Lewis

  • Call: 2004

Darren specialises in personal injury and employment matters, and was called to the Bar in 2004. He is a leading junior on civil fraud, fundamental dishonesty, S57 defences as well as committal for contempt of court. He has...

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Patrick West website

Patrick West

  • Call: 2007

Patrick acts for Insurance companies in personal injury claims where fraud is an issue and also acts for claimant’s where fraud is alleged or insinuated. He drafts pleadings, applications and schedules/counter schedules in cases of suspected fraud. His...

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Jimmy Barber

  • Call: 2008

Jimmy is frequently instructed to deal with cases in which allegations of fraud or fundamental dishonesty are raised, and has considerable experience at trial both in successfully proving and defending against such allegations in road traffic accident (including...

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James Marwick

James Marwick

  • Call: 2008

James accepts instructions in all areas of personal injury work acting for both claimants and defendants. He is presently conducted as sole counsel in a number of cases worth up to £1 million and in others where there...

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Ben Handy

Ben Handy

  • Call: 2008

Ben is a specialist personal injury barrister widely recognised for his work representing claimants and defendants in serious injury claims. He also spends some of his time sitting as a Crown Court judge, having been appointed to the office of...

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James Hughes

  • Call: 2011

James regularly acts for claimants and defendants and their insurers when allegations of fundamental dishonesty or wider fraud are alleged. He has experience in RTA and EL/PL claims of: staged accidents; phantom passenger claims; LVI, and dishonest or...

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Sophie Howard

  • Call: 2016

Sophie is a member of the Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, and Inquest teams. She joined Chambers in May 2022 after completing a specialist third six pupillage under the supervision of Jimmy Barber. Having successfully completed a common law...

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Jonathan Lindfield

Jonathan Lindfield

  • Call: 2017

Jonathan is an experienced, sought-after, specialist personal injury barrister, whose practice encompasses all aspects of personal injury litigation. Jonathan regularly acts for both claimants and defendants on the fast and multi-track, in claims worth up to £1m. From...

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Lauren Karmel

  • Call: 2017

Lauren is ranked as a leading junior (Tier 2) in The Legal 500 2024 guide. She accepts instructions in all areas of clinical negligence and inquest work, and is developing a strong paper-based practice in all areas of...

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David Forster

  • Call: 2018

David is a specialist Personal Injury barrister who has a balanced practice acting for both Claimants and Defendants. His practice encompasses all aspects of Personal Injury and he is regularly instructed to advise on claims relating to RTAs,...

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Beatrice Baskett

Beatrice Baskett

  • Call: 2021

Beatrice joined our Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence and Inquests teams in October 2023 following the successful completion of her pupillage under the supervision Robert Mills and Benjamin Handy. Beatrice is instructed regularly in fast-track trials, interlocutory applications and...

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Anna Symington-114

Anna Symington

  • Call: 2002

Anna acts for Insurers in all aspects of fraud related to personal injury claims. She is preferred Counsel for one major Insurer in all their Casualty claims. Anna deals with: Exaggerated injury claims Phantom passenger claims LSI Staged...

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Directory Quotes

St John’s Chambers is ‘an impressive set with a number of high-quality barristers’, praised by some as ‘the strongest set in the South West for claimant personal injury litigation’.

The Legal 500 2024, Personal Injury

A market-leading set, well regarded for its formidable personal injury offering. Its barristers regularly act for and advise both claimant and defendant clients, including numerous key insurance companies, in high-value catastrophic and fatal injury claims.”

Chambers UK 2023, Personal Injury

The clerks are very responsive and friendly.”

Chambers UK 2023, Personal Injury (Client Service)

The clerks of St John’s are outstanding and deserve a special mention.”

Legal 500 2023, Personal Injury (Client Service)

St John’s Chambers has a wide breadth of expertise and experience.’ ‘ They are always able to offer available counsel at the right level on any case.’ “

Legal 500 2023, Personal Injury

St John’s Chambers houses a comprehensive set of barristers in its personal injury team, which is praised by clients for its strength in depth.”

Legal 500 2022, Personal Injury

A market-leading set on the Western Circuit, St John’s Chambers is well regarded for its formidable personal injury offering. ‘The quality of advice provided by the barristers is exceptional.’ “

Chambers UK 2022, Personal Injury

The clerking is amazing, and everyone is so accommodating and helpful. Their thoroughness and ability to get straight to the nub of things is so impressive.”

Chambers UK 2022, Personal Injury (Client Service)

“A market-leading set on the Western Circuit, St John’s Chambers is well regarded for its formidable personal injury offering.”

Chambers UK 2021, Personal Injury

The clerks are efficient, friendly and take a can-do approach. ‘The clerking service is consistently first rate.’ ‘The clerks are very organised and efficient. I appreciate the speed with which they deal with things.’ ‘They respond quickly and deal with any issues promptly.’ “

Chambers UK 2021, Personal Injury (Client Service)

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