DCC Chambers and Partners Rankings 2020

Deans Court Chambers are pleased to announce that a significant number of members have been ranked across 13 practice areas in the Chambers and Partners 2020 directory.

Full details of our rankings can be found here: https://chambers.com/law-firm/deans-court-chambers-uk-bar-14:10561

The overview of our ranked department’s states:

Clinical Negligence

Possesses a number of clinical negligence experts who regularly act in claims of significant value at both trial and settlement. The bench is composed of individuals who are highly experienced in representing claimants as well as a range of defendants, including hospital trusts and GP surgeries. Members represent parties in relation to claims for serious obstetric negligence, among other areas.

"The clerking is excellent: they are always on hand and are always flexible." "The clerks are very quick to respond to queries and virtually always have capacity to take our instructions. Where a selected barrister is unavailable, an appropriate alternative has always been offered."

Health & Safety

Deans Court Chambers has a highly respected regulatory team, which picks up much of the most substantial health and safety cases on the Northern Circuit. The set houses experienced and esteemed barristers of varying seniority to meet its clients' needs and expectations. Members defend clients in the engineering, retail, car manufacturing, food and healthcare sectors. They also regularly handle prosecutions, inquests and investigations following serious injuries or fatalities on site. Impressed market sources say: "The set's customer service is excellent and each barrister I have instructed has significant experience in the niche area in which they have been instructed."

"The clerking is excellent in terms of communication and also ensuring instructed counsel can deliver and meet our needs." "They have a good set of helpful and responsive clerks."

Family/Matrimonial

Deans Court Chambers maintains its standing as a leading set for both finance and children matters. Its members routinely handle complex, high-value divorce proceedings, prenuptial agreement disputes and contentious work arising from cohabitation. Its children law specialists cover both private and public mandates, and act for children, guardians and local authorities on cases involving child abuse, domestic manslaughter and Schedule 1 matters. "They're just fantastic," states a source. "All the barristers are technically good and great at advocacy, as well as being reliable and efficient. I never have any hesitation in having them represent clients."

"Senior civil and family clerk Andy Flannigan and family clerk Emma Manning are brilliant. They'll do all they can to accommodate you, and are very professional and approachable." "They have consistently high levels and standards of service."

Professional Discipline:

Possesses deep experience in the disciplinary proceedings of the GMC. The barristers have a strong practice in prosecuting and defending inviduals accused of serious misconduct, from allegations of dishonesty through to sexual wrongdoing and unethical research or practice. The set is also home to barristers who have notable expertise in related inquests. It is considered to be an "excellent chambers, which always goes the extra mile."

"The clerks are very professional and have a quick turnaround for instructions."

Personal Injury

A highly regarded set on the Northern Circuit, noted for its expert representation of both claimant and defendant clients. Members are instructed to act on behalf of insurers, local authorities, trade unions, government bodies and corporations, as well as private individual clients. The set's barristers are experienced in the handing of personal injury claims at all levels of the UK court system, up to and including the Supreme Court, and are frequently called upon to act for and advise on high-value fatal accident and serious injury claims. Additional areas of strength for the set include insurance coverage disputes and complex costs cases. Several of the set's tenants also regularly represent clients at inquests and inquiries. Interviewees describe Deans Court Chambers as a "go-to set in Manchester," adding that "whenever you instruct anyone from Deans Court you know you will get exceptional service right from the initial booking up to the final invoice."

"The client service is always first class. The clerking team is very good and the senior clerk, Matthew Gibbons, is one of the best in the business." "The clerks are fantastic. They will always do everything they can to accommodate conferences or hearings in barristers' diaries." "The chambers is very well run and professionally clerked."

Motor Insurance Fraud

Deans Court Chambers remains a popular choice for both claimants and defendants seeking representation in an array of motor insurance fraud cases. Members deftly handle claims related to exaggerated injury, low velocity impact claims and fraud rings. The set continues to achieve particularly successful results for insurers, using the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 to great effect. One market source describes Deans Court as "a big insurance defence set."

"The clerks are approachable, well informed and responsive."

Crime

Deans Court Chambers is regularly instructed in major criminal cases across the UK, as well as in several British overseas territories. The set houses an impressive roster of barrister who handle complex cases involving violent crimes, sexual assaults and drug offences. Instructing solicitors describe the set as "first-rate," adding that "the barristers gain the confidence and trust of their clients, and the quality of the representation they provide is extremely high." Recent cases handled by the set include AG Falklands v Butler and Crowie, a case involving historic sexual allegations arising out of a significant police operation on the Falkland Islands.

"The clerks room is organised, efficient and cannot do enough to help. They provide an exemplary service."