Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

Expert Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Barristers in Southampton

Client care is a key part of our work and our relationship with clients is paramount. We endeavour properly to identify the needs of our clients and we understand the importance of dealing with cases efficiently, tactfully and sensitively. We provide clear and comprehensive advice; with real depth and range of experience across all personal injury and clinical negligence matters.

Barristers at No.18 Chambers regularly appear in the County and High Courts. Members of the Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence teams frequently advise in writing and often advise injured clients in conference.

The team focus on achieving the best possible outcome for the lay client by providing clear and realistic advice. We are often involved in the decision making process, such as the choice of expert witness, gathering of evidence, surveillance recordings and the reserve to be put on a claim. Our members are experienced in the preparation of detailed schedules and counter-schedules of special damages.

Barristers practicing in this area

No.18 Barristers Chambers is a team of ‘good, helpful and efficient advocates’ experienced in areas of public law care proceedings and private children law. Laura Baines is an ’extremely competent, patient and friendly advocate’ who regularly handles a variety of domestic abuse cases. Nigel Cholerton, known for his ‘calm demeanour and assertive nature’, regularly represents parents and children in private family law matters. Tracey Hennessey is ’an excellent barrister known for her calm, reassuring and knowledgeable presence’ and her ability to work with clients with capacity issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
A strong and reliable chambers with a good mix of experience and fresh-faced enthusiasm
Legal 500 - 2026
No.18 Barristers Chambers is outstanding, consistently ensuring barristers are available for clients.
Legal 500

Members of the Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence team undertake all aspects of this area of work, including:

Personal Injury:

Road traffic accidents
Employer’s liability
Occupier's liability/Public liability
Highways Act claims
Industrial disease
Accidents abroad/Holiday related claims
HM Coroners Court /Inquests
CICA Tribunals

Clinical Negligence:

Birth injuries
Failures to diagnose/treat
Hospital associated infections
Catastrophic Injuries
Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis
Dental negligence
Surgical errors and fatal accidents

We accept instructions funded through legal expenses insurance, public funding and Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs); subject to a risk assessment. It is Chambers' policy to have all potential CFA cases screened by a second member of Chambers.

Chambers understands the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution in this area and we have a highly experienced mediator [Ashley Ailes (1975)] offering an experienced practitioner with expert knowledge in Personal Injury law.

Further, members of the team also have experience in providing representation at both the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and Inquests. The team often act on behalf of the various parties who may be interested, whether for those who have been bereaved or implicated in the death.

The team benefits from the experience of our teams in other practice areas; such as immigration issues, employment, and family.

Chambers are accredited by the Bar Council as course providers and Members of Chambers provide an annual in-house seminar programme with training and presentations on up to date practice and procedure. For further information regarding are lectures please visit our seminars page

If you need any assistance in any of these areas, please contact our clerking team on 023 80 736812 or e-mail clerks@no18chambers.com