skill for

all to see"

Chambers UK

John Bate-Williams

John Bate-Williams

Profile

The Senior Junior in Temple Garden Chambers, John has built up a substantial Personal Injury & Fatal Accidents practice in his 3 decades in chambers. Described by the solicitor who advised Balfour Beatty to instruct him in the Hatfield Rail Crash case (a rare foray into the world of crime) as a "pragmatic street fighter", he has acquired a reputation for sound judgment (in professional matters), realistic and practical advice and excellent advocacy. 80% of his practice involves the representation of insurers in high value claims, usually involving catastrophic head injuries or injuries of maximum severity, and he has particular experience in exposing exaggerated and dishonest claims. John's objective approach has ensured that he continues to receive a volume of instructions on behalf of Claimants in substantial & unusual claims.

What the Directories say

Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2012:  "Incredibly affable" senior junior John Bate-Williams "brings parties together with consummate ease and professionalism." A "wonderful negotiator," he often acts in severe brain injury cases stemming from road traffic accidents ....

Recommended in Chambers & Partners 2010:  "A renowned advocate whose skil in catastrophic cases is there for all to see".  "You feel confident that if you instruct him you have an advantage from the off."

Recommended as a senior Junior in Legal 500 (2010):  "A very experienced and senior junior"

Recommended as a Leading Junior in Personal Injury work in the Legal 500 (2008):  "John Bate-Williams's loyal following praises him for 'intimate industry knowledge' "

Legal Experts 2010 - Highly Recommended for Personal Injury work

Notable Cases

  • Crofts -v- Murton (2009] EWHC 3538 (QB) assessment of damages in multi million pound head injury and severe orthopaedic injuries claim, contested issues of life expectancy, care, calculation of multipliers, periodical payments
  • Burton v Kingsbury [2007] EWHC 2091 (QB) - assessment of damages in £6.3m quadriplegic case.
  • Whittle -v- Bennett [2006] EWCA Civ 1538(Court of Appeal) - Road traffic accident, duty of care of following driver when 2 vehicles driven "in tandem"
  • R v Balfour Beatty & Others 2005 (Hatfield Train Crash)
  • Marina Pearce -v- Lindfield & others [2003] EWCA Civ 647 (Court of Appeal) Apportionment between 3 Defendants - cumulative physical and psychological effects of three separate motor vehicle accidents)
  • Robert Bailey v Command Security Services Ltd & TJX inc (USA) (2001) QBD (Jeffrey Burke QC) 25/10/2001 (Unguarded lift shaft - apportionment of liability between employer & occupier).
  • Rall v Hume (CA) (2001) 3 All ER 248 (Court of Appeal - video evidence - in interests of justice to permit D to cross examine, unless trial by ambush)

Appointments

Recorder since 2000