Clerking team

Chris Shaw

Senior Clerk – Civil, Commercial & Employment Clerk

Martin Craggs

Assistant Senior Clerk

Jennifer Carr

Civil Clerk

Matthew Smith

Civil Clerk

Amie Finch

Junior Civil Clerk

Chris is a personal injury, clinical negligence and costs specialist.

Having undertaken a common law pupillage, Chris is still, on occasion, instructed in other areas of civil work including housing matters (to include private and public landlord/tenant possession claims and mortgage possession cases), boundary and building disputes, commercial cases and TLATA claims. He is also interested in and actively developing a Court of Protection practice. Chris was called to the Bar in 2006.

Personal injury

In the personal injury arena, where he acts for both Claimants and Defendants across the full spectrum of personal injury litigation, Chris has a high-end fast-track and multi-track practice which regularly involves claims valued in excess of £100,000, and often in excess of £250,000.

Whilst he has a particular interest in employers’ liability matters, he routinely represents both Claimants and Defendants in public and occupiers’ liability claims and all aspects of road traffic litigation to include, fraud, credit hire and LVI matters. He routinely deals with fatal accident claims and has been involved in a number of modest brain injury cases.

He is regularly instructed in cases in which pain disorders are diagnosed or disputed. He is, therefore, well versed in the interplay between such conditions and allegations of exaggeration and/or fraud.

Chris also undertakes clinical negligence work including dental negligence claims.

His costs background makes him an ideal choice as advocate in CCMCs and in other situations in which costs issues arise.

He attends JSMs where his manner with both clients and opponents and his fair, but firm, advice allows the best chance of claims being resolved without the need for trial.

In these areas of practice Chris accepts appropriate work on a CFA basis.

Clinical negligence

Chris has in recent years developed a clinical negligence practice. He has recently run dental, secondary victim and pressure sore claims successfully.

Court of Protection

Chris has a Court of Protection practice representing Local Authorities and P in matters involving capacity, deprivation of liberty and health and welfare.

Costs

Prior to coming to the bar, Chris worked as a Costs Draftsman both externally and within the in-house costs team of a leading national law firm. He is able to advise on costs matters, prepare and respond to points of dispute and represent both receiving and paying parties at detailed assessment and review hearings. He is regularly instructed to appear in the SCCO.

Memberships

  • Personal Injury Bar Association

Client Testimonials

“I have instructed Chris for almost a decade. I would have no hesitation in recommending him. He is extremely approachable and straightforward and understands the pressures of a modern solicitor’s practice. He is able to quickly get to the nub of the issue and is able to unpick complex cases. His judgment is excellent. He goes above and beyond and makes himself available to discuss issues that arise during the life of a case – always offering sensible and pragmatic advice. His costs background is helpful in securing good outcomes at CCMCs and he is alive to the commercial realities of Fast Track cases. Importantly, he is adept at putting clients at ease both in conference and before any trial.”

“I have been instructing Chris for nearly 10 years now on various personal injury cases and have no hesitation in recommending his services. He is a “first choice barrister”. He will always provide comprehensive, candid and meticulous advice whether written or in conference. He is extremely personable with clients and is able to adapt and manage the needs of individuals in a sensitive manner. He has an analytical approach to cases and at trial demonstrates excellent advocacy skills.”

“I have always found Chris to be very approachable and professional. He explains issues to clients in a very comprehensive and yet easily understandable manner. He gets a good grip on the matter in hand and quickly understands the principal issues. He works very efficiently, and he is able to turn around high-quality paperwork very quickly.”

“I have worked with Chris for years, and I have to say he is very personable and approachable; this particularly rings true when he is dealing with clients in conference or at court. He is able to turn what can be a very stressful situation for them, into something more relaxed. Through this, I believe he gets the best out of the client. He is technically excellent and will almost always have the answer for you – and if he doesn’t, he will find it. He is always prepared to go that extra mile, and is great at working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines. He is a confident advocate, is not afraid to push cases onto court and is able to successfully find angles on cases that other barristers might decline.”