Joint Head of Chambers, Serjeants Inn Chambers
Michael’s practice has focused on healthcare law for over 30 years. He specialises in the most complex clinical negligence claims, both on liability and quantum. The breadth of his practice includes extensive experience in medical treatment decision cases (Court of Protection and Family Division), professional regulatory proceedings, and medical inquests. Michael is known for his assured, detailed, sensitive approach to cases. Clients warm to him.
Michael has been joint Head of Chambers since 2019.
Michael has practised in healthcare law throughout his career. For over thirty years he has had a busy clinical negligence practice in which he has acted for Claimants and Defendants in a wide range of claims. His long experience of representing healthcare professionals before their regulatory bodies and in coroner’s inquests brings added depth to his understanding of the choices and outcomes his clients face. Michael’s practice has an increasing focus on issues surrounding mental capacity, in which he regularly appears in treatment decision cases for both the Official Solicitor and NHS bodies.
In clinical negligence, Michael has always had a varied, busy, and heavy-weight practice since his early days as a junior barrister. Clinical negligence has remained the mainstay of his practice since taking Silk in 2016. Although Michael acts primarily for the Claimants, he continues to represent Defendants. He considers that this not only improves the objectivity of his advice but also gives an excellent understanding of the issues each party faces and the best tactical approach.
His practice is focused on claims of the highest value and medical complexity, such as perinatal brain injury, brain injury following viral or bacterial infection, stroke, spinal neurological injury, cauda equina, and diabetic or vascular amputations. Most areas of medicine have featured in his practice over the years. Michael has a particular interest in complex causation issues; multiple concurrent or consecutive causes of injury, or successive tortfeasors.
The natural overlap between the issues of capacity and consent to medical treatment in clinical negligence claims has led to Michael developing expertise in cases where adults or children cannot make their own decisions about serious medical treatment. Michael has acted in several leading Court of Protection cases.
Whatever their nature, Michael considers that meticulous preparation and attention to detail are indispensable in securing the best possible outcome for his clients. This theme is common to all aspects of his work, whether it be paperwork, consultations, written or oral advocacy.
Michael always aims to give balanced and pragmatic advice,
Whether acting for a grievously injured claimant or clinicians facing the pressures that litigation or regulatory proceedings bring, Michael prides himself on being sympathetic to the needs of the client, approachable, flexible and responsive.