Alastair Wright

Vastly experienced in this field, Clinical Negligence forms a substantial proportion of Alastair’s practice. He appeared in the Court of Appeal in Evans v Birmingham & Black County NHS Trust and has regularly been instructed as Junior Counsel in high value clinical negligence claims in the High Court. His professional negligence practice includes solicitors’ negligence in PI and clinical negligence cases.

He has advised and acted in a wide variety of clinical negligence cases including surgical mismanagement; delayed diagnosis in cancer and other conditions; birth and neonatal injury; complications following cosmetic surgery and cases involving questions of informed consent.

Alastair has appeared before the GMC (acting for both doctors and the GMC), the CICA (including securing a number of maximum awards following severe head injury) and at many inquests.

Employers’ Liability

Alastair has extensive experience in Employers’ Liability work in both accident and disease litigation. He appeared in the Court of Appeal in one of the earliest cases on the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (Pratt v Intermet Refractories Ltd), a case which still appears in Redgrave’s Health and Safety and has undertaken numerous “disease” cases involving Hand Arm Vibration, Deafness, Dermatitis, Stress, Work Related Upper Limb Disorders etc. He was Junior Counsel in the House of Lords cases of Eastwood and Williams v Magnox Electric concerning the “Johnson v Unisys exclusion” and has acted for both Claimants and Defendants in High Court Asbestos litigation.

Public/Product Liability

Alastair has an established reputation gained over many years of Public and Product Liability litigation and has recently been asked to advise in relation to group litigation involving UK prescribed medicines.

Alastair has undertaken numerous “disease” cases involving Hand Arm Vibration, Deafness, Dermatitis, Stress, Work Related Upper Limb Disorders etc. He was Junior Counsel in the House of Lords cases of Eastwood and Williams v Magnox Electric concerning the “Johnson v Unisys exclusion” and has acted for both Claimants and Defendants in High Court Asbestos litigation.

A respected litigator in a wide variety of cases, Alastair is an experienced Barrister who will bring not only expertise, but a degree of common sense to all mediations and negotiations.

Alastair acts for both Claimants and Defendants in Personal Injury and Professional Negligence work and has represented clients before all levels of the Judiciary, including the (then) House of Lords. His PI work encompasses maximum severity head and spinal injury litigation and his clinical negligence work includes cerebral palsy and other birth injury, as well as surgical mismanagement.

He has a proven track record of success in the field of mediation, particularly in clinical negligence and personal injury work. Having conducted numerous mediations over many years as an advocate he qualified as a Mediator in 2019.

• PIBA
• NCMLA

Clinical Negligence

Strengths: “It is always an absolute pleasure to work with Alastair. He has a calm and reassuring manner even in the most challenging of cases and he’s an impressive advocate.”

“He’s an excellent barrister, he has a sophisticated knowledge of clinical negligence claims, as well as great vision and commercial awareness.”

“He is a very solid performer, he puts real effort into a case and works hard on them.” Chambers UK Bar 2024

“Alastair has a calm and reassuring manner in even the most challenging of cases. As a result, he is greatly appreciated by clients, and his straightforward approach makes him a very impressive advocate.” Legal 500 2024

Strengths: “Alastair works thoroughly and methodically on cases.” “Alastair has a calm and measured approach to litigation.” Chambers UK Bar 2023

“Alastair is a tried and trusted advisor who will always consider the concerns of the client no matter how small. He is an excellent advocate and his drafting skills are superb. He has a common sense approach and is a pleasure to work alongside.” Legal 500 2023

Strengths: “Very straightforward with clients and very clear in his thinking.” Chambers UK Bar 2022

“Alastair is very understated, eminently likeable, a skilled negotiator and good on his feet.” Legal 500 2022

Strengths: “He has an excellent bedside manner and thinks carefully about his cases. He is also a very tenacious advocate.” “Alastair’s down-to-earth approach is much appreciated by his clients.” Chambers UK Bar 2021

“He is very thorough and a good advocate.” Legal 500 2021 

Strengths: “I find him very personable: he gets on easily with clients and explains things in a matter-of-fact way.” Chambers UK Bar 2020

“Noted for his expertise in industrial disease claims.” Legal 500 2019

“Clients take to him immediately – he is very down to earth. He is very astute and can get information from clients where others can’t.” “Very articulate, persuasive and succinct.” Chambers & Partners 2019

“Advises on fatal cases and claims with an important psychiatric health angle as part of his broader personal injury and industrial disease practice. He is also adept at handling cases concerning surgical mismanagement, delayed diagnosis and informed consent.”

Strengths: “Very approachable, good on his feet, calm and assured in his manner.” Chambers & Partners 2018

“Very experienced in claimant clinical negligence cases.” Legal 500 2017

“Recommended for claimant clinical negligence representation” – Legal 500 2016

“Devotes his time between high-end clinical negligence and personal injury matters, and comes recommended for his superior client management skills. He acts exclusively for claimants across a caseload that includes cerebral palsy, surgical negligence and spinal injury matters.”
Strengths: “Gives sensible advice and is practical and realistic. He comes to cases with very sound footing, where he gives clients realistic expectations.” – Chambers & Partners 2016

“His strengths lie in litigation arising from brain/spinal injuries, as well as conditions arising from medical negligence.” – Legal 500 2015

“He is experienced in cases involving brain and spinal injuries” – Legal 500 2014

“Acts in a broad range of clinical negligence cases… he is down to earth, approachable and good with clients. He gives sensible and considered advice.”

“He is wonderful at interpreting cases and absorbing material.” – Chambers & Partners 2014.

Personal Injury

“It is always an absolute pleasure to work alongside Alastair. He has a calm and reassuring manner in even the most challenging of cases, and as a result, he is greatly appreciated by clients. His straightforward approach makes him a very impressive advocate.” Legal 500 2024

“Advises on fatal cases and claims with an important psychiatric health angle as part of his broader personal injury and industrial disease practice. Recent standout mandates include an inquest into the suicide of a soldier who was released from police custody.”

Strengths: “He doesn’t sit on the fence; he gives a proper opinion on what he thinks and fights hard for the client”. “A good brain; he is shrewd, considers things carefully and is sensible“. – Chambers & Partners 2017

An experienced junior who is instructed in an array of personal injury cases, including those stemming from serious brain and spinal injuries and claims concerning EL/PL. Commentators note his grasp of detail and thorough preparation as particular strengths.
Strengths: “He is a measured and persuasive advocate who reads the tribunal very well and gets good results for his clients.” – Chambers & Partners 2016

ADR and Mediation

“Clients take to him immediately – he is very down to earth. He is very astute and can get information from clients where others can’t.” “Very articulate, persuasive and succinct.” Chambers & Partners, 2019.

“He doesn’t sit on the fence; he gives a proper opinion on what he thinks and fights hard for the client. A good brain; he is shrewd, considers things carefully and is sensible.” – Chambers & Partners 2017.

“He is a measured and persuasive advocate who reads the tribunal very well and gets good results for his clients.” – Chambers & Partners 2016.

“Gives sensible advice and is practical and realistic. He comes to cases with very sound footing, where he gives clients realistic expectations.” – Chambers & Partners 2016.