Deans Court Chambers and Partners Rankings 2018

Deans Court Chambers are pleased to announce that a significant number of our members have been ranked across 12 practice areas in the Chambers and Partners 2018 directory. This year, in rankings for Health and Safety, 2 out of 3 silks recognised as leaders in the field were from Deans Court: Tim Horlock (band 1) and Michael Hayton (band 2).  In the ranked juniors, 4 of the 5 identified are Deans Court members. We are listed in band 1 for Family/Matrimonial and Professional Discipline and in band 2 for Personal Injury, Crime and Clinical Negligence. 

The overview of our ranked departments states:

Professional Discipline

Deans Court Chambers remains the pre-eminent regional set for professional discipline matters due to its strength in the healthcare sector, as well as other areas. Members routinely act for and against various disciplinary bodies including the MDU, the GMC, the GDC and the Police Federation. Recent work highlights include GMC v Upton, a rare case in which the GMC criticised a practitioner's performance as a manager rather than in a clinical context, and GMC v Dr Julius Awakame, concerning a consultant psychiatrist who gave religious advice to the victim of a satanic cult. An instructing solicitor comments that "all the counsel I have contact there with are experts in their field and personable."

Family/Matrimonial

A highly regarded set on the Northern Circuit that handles the full range of public and private family issues. The set's areas of strength include complex high-value divorce cases, prenuptial agreements, Children Act matters and disputes involving unmarried couples. Members are also able to advise on cases involving issues such as child abuse, domestic violence, parents with mental health issues and addictions, as well as surrogacy cases and disputes between same-sex parents. One impressed solicitor says: "I am very impressed with the set as a whole. I think the whole family team is of an exceptional standard. The team is very helpful and good to work with. Members report back to us quickly and provide us with a very good service. There is always someone who is willing to assist."

Personal Injury

A well-regarded Manchester set capable of handling the full panoply of personal injury claims. Members act for both claimants and defendants; clients include trade unions, local authorities, government bodies, insurers and national companies. Along with serious injury cases they also deal with inquests, inquiries and insurance policy points. The chambers is a force to be reckoned with in disputes of all sizes, right up to those litigated in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Crime

Deans Court Chambers houses a strong and experienced team of advocates operating at all levels of the court system. Members here regularly handle cases concerning murder, sexual offences and human trafficking. Sources say: "The set has been established for many years and it has a good mix of counsel from various levels of expertise and experience."

Clinical Negligence

Deans Court Chambers enjoys a growing reputation on the Northern Circuit for its clinical negligence expertise. Members here represent both claimants and defendants on a varied caseload that includes cases concerning negligently managed pregnancies and neonatal injury, delays and failures in diagnosis and negligent surgery. Key individuals also have experience handling spinal injuries, as well as negligent gynaecological treatment and prescription errors.

And it’s not just our barristers who are highly commended:

“Matthew Gibbons is an experienced senior clerk and a good ambassador for the chambers. He is really interested in staying ahead on value and service. He also personally contacts us to introduce any new barristers arriving at chambers."

"They are very professional and accommodating. Queries are dealt with expeditiously."

"A very organised outfit. The clerks are always on the ball and go out of their way to cater for you. They have a lovely approach and are reliable, approachable, knowledgeable and experienced."

Please see following list for more information on our rankings: https://www.chambersandpartners.com/uk-bar/firm/10561/deans-court-chambers