In a key case relating to consent, The Court of Appeal has today confirmed that there is no freestanding right to damages flowing from a failure to properly consent a patient before a medical procedure.

On Friday 7th July 2017 Laurie West-Knights QC was sworn in as a Circuit Judge at The Royal Courts of Justice and he is now based at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The High Court has recently handed down judgment in an appeal by a high-profile former solicitor against the findings of the SDT. The case provides a helpful reminder of the principles applicable to allegations of dishonesty and lack of integrity in regulatory proceedings.

The Court of Appeal in Harrison v University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust [2017] EWCA Civ 791 determined important issues in costs budgeting which are of relevance to all practitioners.

Hailsham Chambers are delighted to announce that Laurie West-Knights QC has been appointed as a Circuit Judge. We would like to congratulate and wish him the best in his new role.

Hailsham Chambers is pleased to announce that Martin Spencer QC has been elected as Chair of the Expert Witness Institute (“EWI”) in succession to The Right Honourable Sir Anthony Hooper.

The last 12 months have seen an unprecedented rise in the incidence of cyber-crime but the law is currently in an embryonic stage. Barristers at Hailsham Chambers have many years of experience in dealing with technology matters and data protection law, giving them particular aptitude to advise on issues which may ensue from a data security breach.

The Supreme Court has now ruled on the tricky “no loss” arguments raised in this accountant’s negligence claim, reversing the decision of the lower courts. Nicola Rushton of Hailsham’s professional negligence team considers the implications.

The Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision in favour of BPE Solicitors in this landmark professional negligence decision.

The Supreme Court’s decision in this case has again changed the landscape on aggregation, albeit largely reverting to the position prior to Teare J’s judgment. Read Spike Charlwood and Jake Coleman’s article here.

David Pittaway QC, Treasurer of the Inner Temple and Head of Hailsham Chambers, received HH Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz, great grandson of the first King of Malaysia who was a member of the Inn on Friday 17th March 2017

Yesterday morning the Supreme Court decided Ilott v Blue Cross [2017] UKSC 17, which is about the correct application of the Inheritance (Provision for Families and Dependants) Act 1975. This will be the leading case in an area where litigation and disputes are evermore common.

Stephen Bailey appeared for the successful respondent in Clayton v EUI [2017] EWCA Civ 144, which the Court of Appeal heard at the same time as the appeal in McBride v UK Insurance. Judgment in both appeals was handed down today.

In Thefaut v Johnston [2017] EWHC 497 (QB) Nicholas Peacock represented the successful claimant at the liability trial before Mr Justice Green

In October 2017 Theo will spend six weeks in the U.S.A. where he will undertake legal and political placements with, among many others, the Supreme Court of the United States.

Simon Wilton reports on the recent Court of Appeal decision in Bridging Loans Ltd v Kevin J Toombs

This will have far-reaching consequences for compensation awards for future financial losses in personal injury cases.

The position of Treasurer, as President of the Society, is a key role within the organisation and David will play a pivotal role in promoting the work of the Inn both in the UK and internationally.

It’s beginning to look a lot like 2017 is the new 2008.

Read the full article in the Personal Injury Law Journal

Nicola Rushton reports on the recent judgment in relation to valuation which considered issues as to correct valuation method, reliance and causation of loss. The judgment includes some points of wider interest to those engaged in bringing or defending lender claims.

Hailsham Chambers’ Professional Liability Seminar 3rd November 2016

Theo Barclay reports on a decision which will be of very broad significance, particularly to negligence claims against solicitors, whereby the High Court has for the first time outside a medical context declined to apply the traditional Bolam v Friern Barnet test for the standard of care.

Hailsham Chambers is delighted to announce that Michael Pooles QC was awarded Chambers & Partners’ Professional Negligence Silk of the Year at the Bar Awards ceremony last night.

Solicitors’ PI insurers not obliged to repay disbursement funding loans

Nicola Rushton represented the Claimant bank in its successful claim for negligent over-valuation of three amusement arcades.

Theo Barclay on the Government’s proposed costs reforms in Human Rights cases and the selective application of the ECHR.

Following the recent completion of their pupillages, Chambers is delighted to welcome Jake Coleman and James White as tenants.

Hailsham Chambers’ Cost seminar 9 June 2016

Hailsham Chambers’ costs seminar 8 June 2016.

BBC News reports the details of a case in which Jane Tracy Forster represented the family of a teenager who died three days after her mother rang an out-of-hours medical service.

Hailsham Chambers Injunctions team are experts in crisis management, particularly crises affecting professional firms and their clients.

The Court of Appeal have allowed insurers’ appeal in AIG. It had to decide the meaning of the phrase “a series of related matters or transactions” in the aggregation clause of the Solicitors’ Minimum Terms.

Henry Bankes-Jones’ success in the Court of Appeal in the case of Barton v Wright Hassall [2016] EWCA Civ 177 concerning the test to be applied when considering whether to validate late service of a Claim Form.

Mr Justice Holgate confirmed the right of the Lord Chancellor, operating as the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), to recover over-claimed payments on account (POAs) under contract, statute and in restitution where the solicitors have failed to submit any proper final bills.

Queens Counsel selection panel announce 2015- 2016 appointments.

Pupillage for 2017 is now open

Mrs Justice Proudman has established new points of law relating to loss of a chance and contributory negligence allegations, in Harding Homes (East Street) Ltd v Bircham Dyson Bell [2015] EWHC 3329 (Ch). It was one of those rare cases where the defendant solicitors admitted negligence but succeeded in showing that the claimants’ loss of a chance claim was of “negligible” value. The result was that the claimants were awarded only nominal damages and were ordered to pay the defendants’ costs.

Martin Spencer QC has represented a boy who will receive significant compensation after tragically being left suffering from cerebral palsy.

A case of interest to all those advising on the scope of a solicitor’s retainer and the duty solicitors owe to their clients under a limited retainer.

In the case of E.Surv v Goldsmith Williams [2015] EWCA Civ 1147. The court considered two issues: a solicitor’s duty to report to a lender information which suggests the valuation of the security might be wrong, and what evidence is required by a claimant in a contribution claim to prove how the original victim would have behaved but for the defendant’s breach of duty.

Theo Barclay has written an article for Solicitors’ Journal (November 2015) exploring the Supreme Court’s recent decision in the conjoined appeals of Parking Eye v Beavis and Cavendish v El Makdessi [2015] UKSC 67.

Chambers is very grateful to the clients who kindly provided feedback to the legal directories about the service they have received from the set. As a result of the research, Hailsham is delighted to congratulate the practice groups and barristers who have been recognised.

Canada Square Operations Limited v Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward Limited Mr Recorder Halpern QC, Central London County Court, 17 September 2015.

Following the recent completion of their pupillages, Chambers is delighted to welcome David Story and Jack Steer as tenants.

Theo Barclay writes for the Solicitors Journal, exploring cases where claimants deploy the new QOCS regime to gain unfair advantage.

A Commercial Court Judge has decided that 214 claims arising out of two similar property developments do not arise from “a series of related matters or transactions” for the purposes of the solicitors’ minimum terms and so cannot be aggregated. This has the potential to have a major impact on the approach currently taken in coverage work.

The Committee appointed to make recommendations on a new bill of costs pursuant to the Jackson Report, which is chaired by Alexander Hutton QC, have published the draft new bill and guidance documents for consultation and are inviting comments/suggestions by 18.9.15.

The Supreme Court approves the old CFA scheme

Hailsham Chambers’ Paul Mitchell received the fourth and final judgment in Swain v (1) Swains Plc (2) Kirby (3) Berry. Paul acted for the successful third defendant resisting claims of breach of fiduciary duty, acting while under a conflict of interest, breaching the equitable doctrine of fair dealing, undue influence, conspiracy and breach of contract.

It is with great sadness that Hailsham Chambers announces the death of one of its most prominent members, Professor Harvey McGregor CBE QC.

Content from Alexander Hutton QC on Costs Management and Costs Budgeting and Litigation Funding Update from Joshua Munro

Joshua Munro clarifies the law as to what a claimant must show to prove he has suffered loss by virtue of not obtaining an enforceable option to purchase land.

The judgment in International Energy Group v Zurich [2015] UKSC 33, is an important decision about whether, under an employers’ liability insurance policy, an insured is entitled to an indemnity from an insurer for the entirety of its outlay in respect of a claim brought against it for mesothelioma by an employee, or only a proportion of its outlay based on the period for which the insurer provided cover.

Theo Barclay has become Chambers’ most junior tenant having successfully completed his pupillage.

Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis was “financially ruined” by his lengthy legal battles, a court has heard.

The law relating to personal injury has developed at a faster pace than many other areas. This article reviews some of the landmark decisions that have made a big difference to claimants and their representatives.

A news article by Alice Nash about the ‘enhanced’ issue fees in civil proceedings which took effect from Monday, 9 March 2015.

Amy Nesbitt explains to readers of PI Focus Magazine, the implications of Cox v Woodlands Manor Care Home Limited and how failure to comply with consumer protection regulation will prevent recovery of costs.

Richard Rodger, head of marketing and Stephen Smith, senior clerk of consider the Bar’s development

An article by Alice Nash about issue fees for mid-sized claims rising to up to £10K following the latest consultation on so-called “enhanced” court fees.

An article by Jamie Carpenter about Qualified One-way Costs Shifting.

A feature written by Nicola Rushton for the Journal of International Banking & Financial Law, which analyses the reasoning behind the decision in Titan v Colliers and considers some practical implications for those bringing or defending professional negligence claims connected with securitised loans.

A news announcement about Dominic Nolan QC’s decision to move to Hailsham Chambers.

Dan Stacey considers the decision in Lord Chancellor v Taylor Wilcocks, handed down on 7 November 2014, dismissing an appeal from a refusal of relief from sanctions under CPR 3.9 made under Mitchell guidance.

Simon Howarth succeeds in a case which establishes that even an inexperienced and unsophisticated investor should make inquiries when faced with significant losses.

Announcing that Hailsham Chambers’ clinical and professional negligence practice teams have gained greater recognition in the 2014 edition of the Legal 500.

Hailsham Chambers is proud to welcome its former pupils Amy Nesbitt and Alicia Tew as tenants.