Education
- Manchester Grammar School
- St John's College, Cambridge MA (Cantab) Law
Professional Associations
- Personal Injury Bar Association
- Health & Safety Lawyers' Association
Profile
Tim Horlock QC has appeared for the last few years as one of the recommended leading Health & Safety and Personal injury silks on the northern circuit. In the current edition of Chambers & Partners directory he is listed in Category 1 and described as “bright and decisive” combining a down to earth approach with real enthusiasm.
As a junior Barrister, Tim Horlock QC enjoyed an extensive personal injury and clinical negligence practice acting for claimants and defendants alike. In silk, Tim Horlock QC is recognised as a leading practitioner in health & safety and personal injury work.
Tim Horlock QC accepts instructions from claimants and defendants and will work on his own or with junior Counsel if required. He will accept instructions on a conditional fee basis in appropriate cases. He is Counsel approved to be instructed by several major insurance companies and by the Motor Insurers Bureau.
He has developed extensive expertise in dealing with:
- Catastrophic injury cases, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, paralysis and amputation cases. He is expert in dealing with matters relating to care, accommodation and loss of earnings
- Public funding issues and the liability of Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts to fund care, accommodation and other services
- High value psychiatric and psychological claims
- Serious factory and road accident cases
- Provisional damages claims (particularly in traumatic brain injury and spinal injury cases)
- Structured settlements and periodical payments
- Cases involving incapacity
- Sports injuries
- Occupational claims, particularly stress and bladder cancer (he was retained on behalf of Dunlop PLC as junior Counsel).
Notable Cases
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Personal Injury
Infant claimants seeking damages against McDonalds as a result of scaldings.
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Health and Safety/Environmental Law
Defendant chemical companies in claims for damages by residents and employees resulting from accidental chemical exposure.
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Health and Safety/Environmental Law
Defendants and local authorities facing claims for damages by local people and residents resulting from contaminated land and environmental accidents.
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Personal Injury
Defendants facing claims by residents for health effects following dust contamination at Merseyside Docks.
What the directories say
A highly regarded regulatory silk who is frequently instructed by clients in heavyweight health and safety cases. He acts for both the prosecution and the defence, and is comfortable handling matters arising from a broad range of industry sectors. He also has a wealth of experience in personal injury proceedings. "He has a huge brain and a nice manner. He is very good with clients and you can see that judges listen to him. He commands the attention of the court."
Chambers and Partners, 2018
A seasoned practitioner known for his expertise in catastrophic injury, EL/PL and serious RTAs. He represents both claimants and defendants and can also advise on cases concerning psychological damages and sports injuries. "He is extremely experienced and can deal with anything you throw at him. He can get to the nub of the issues very quickly and is a good negotiator." "Really good in terms of advocacy. He stands his ground and is forthright and persuasive."
Chambers and Partners, 2018
‘Experienced in health and safety matters.’
Legal 500, 2017
A highly regarded regulatory silk who is frequently instructed by clients involved in heavyweight health and safety cases. He acts for both the prosecution and the defence, and is comfortable handling matters arising from a broad range of industry sectors. "As an advocate he's excellent."
Chambers UK, 2017
A seasoned practitioner known for his expertise in catastrophic injury, employers' and public liability and serious RTAs. He represents both claimants and defendants and can also advise on cases concerning psychological damages and sports injuries. "A proper leader, he always impresses and is a genuine pleasure to work with, taking a like-minded team approach." "An outstanding QC and an excellent negotiator, who is extremely good on his feet."
Chambers UK, 2017
He is principally instructed by large insurers on injuries of the utmost severity. Sources note his exceptional knowledge of RTAs and MIB claims in particular. Instructing solicitors value his ability to think outside the box and his long-standing experience. (Personal Injury) "He is a magnificent all-rounder. In cases with sensitive issues he is my number-one choice." "He is extremely approachable, extremely good with clients, assertive and pleasant all at the same time."
Chambers UK, 2016
Specialises in regulatory crime and prosecutes and defends health and safety cases in many industry sectors including construction, rail, waste management and agriculture. He also advises on regulatory compliance. (Health & Safety) "Tim Horlock is good, assertive and trusted by clients." "He is very well known and highly regarded in the North West."
Chambers UK, 2016
A master tactician
Legal 500, 2015
Has a mixed practice that, in addition to health and safety, includes other areas of expertise such as personal injury. He acts for both the defence and the prosecution."He's very good and an authoritative advocate. He knows what he's doing.""He has the full package – he is clearly very bright and is also very hard-working".
Chambers UK, 2015
Widely recognised as an expert in severe injury claims. He divides his practice between claimant and defendant work, although he is particularly known for his expertise in dealing with insurer clients."He has sympathy and compassion, and is able to make hard decisions sometimes and take a tough line when necessary and appropriate.""He is an outstanding QC. In addition to having an excellent grasp of the details he is excellent with people."
Chambers UK, 2015
A highly experienced health and safety specialist. (Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing)
Legal 500, 2014
Is a circuit leader in health and safety work
Legal 500, 2014
A highly experienced and confident advocate" who is highly recommended by instructing solicitors. They say that "he is user-friendly and always delivers.
Chambers UK, 2013
Very well respected and very efficient in all he does, he argues his cases well and takes the sensible points. The judges like him because he is focused and organised, and doesn't go off at a tangent on hopeless points.
Chambers UK, 2013
An extremely intelligent and highly skilled advocate. Smooth and professional, he combines fairness and an amiable nature.
Chambers UK, 2012
Is incredibly well thought of on circuit and has a robust regulatory and personal injury practice.
Legal 500, 2011
Brings an 'insightful, measured approach' to the courtroom and is considered to be 'a class opponent'.
Chambers and Partners, 2011
An attractive advocate, who is understated but terribly impressive.
Chambers and Partners, 2011
The circuit's silk of choice for regulatory instructions.
Legal 500, 2009 & 2010
Is 'very fair in his dealings and fully up to speed on the law'. Commentators favour him as he 'interacts well with bench'.
Chambers and Partners, 2009
Is a 'team player who always understands clients’ commercial objectives. He offers expertise in catastrophic injury, industrial disease.
Chambers and Partners, 2009
Is silk of choice for regulatory instructions on circuit.
Legal 500, 2008
The 'client friendly' Tim Horlock QC is 'an extremely able negotiator'.
Chambers and Partners, 2006
Bright and decisive, Tim Horlock QC 'tells it like it is'. He combines 'a down to earth approach' with 'real enthusiasm'.
Chambers and Partners, 2006
Brilliant and bright and noted for bringing a huge amount of common sense to his work.
Chambers & Partners, 2006
