nerves

of steel"

Chambers UK

Richard Wilkinson

Richard Wilkinson

Profile

Richard is recommended by both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior in his two main practice areas: personal injury and costs.  He has acted in a number of high profile cases ranging from his involvement in public inquiries (including Southall, Laming) to group litigation claims (Scania, Porton Down) and more recently in litigation arising from the Buncefield oil depot explosion. He is a very experienced personal injury litigator who represents both Claimants and Defendants in higher value personal injury and occupational disease claims. He has a niche interest in sports injury claims and has previously represented professional clubs including Tottenham Hotspur FC and Gillingham FC. In addition he has been a recognised leader in the field of costs litigation for many years. Appointed by the Attorney General as a Special Advocate in 2006 to act in cases of national security interest.

What the Directories say

Recommended by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 in both personal injury and costs over a number of years:

 

  • "Recognised for expertise in high-value cases" and has "great judgment and superb bedside manner" (Chambers & Partners 2012, personal injury)
  • Described as a "talented operator" in costs matters (Chambers & Partners 2012, costs)
  • "Completely unflappable" and "is always sensible and pragmatic" when advising in costs matters (Legal 500 2011, costs).
  • "known for providing well thought-out and high-level arguments when tackling high-value claims and industrial disease work" (Chambers & Partners 2011, personal injury);
  • "always provides a fully thought out argument" (Chambers & Partners 2011, costs);
  • "noted for his nerves of steel and willingness to take matters to trial (Chambers & Partners 2010, personal injury)
  • "solid and approachable with a reasonable and sensible manner in Court" (Chambers & Partners 2010, costs)
  • "a great knowledge of costs law and is impressive in his drafting, written advices and on his feet in cost assessments" (Legal 500, 2010, costs)"

Notable Cases

  • M v Balfour 2000 Ltd (2010, HC) - Steel J approved the award of damages of £2.5m (£5.5 m on full liability basis) to a 15 year old paperboy who sustained severe head injury when knocked from his bicycle during his round.  Represented the Claimant in proceedings against the newsagent who had employed him whom it was alleged had failed adequately to assess the risk arising from the round undertaken. Liability was previously compromised on a 45/55% basis. The Claimant was left with significant cognitive deficit and behavioural issues and was in need of life-long care. Issues included the credit to be given for future state funding in a split apportionment case.
  • L v M (2010, HC) - approval of lump sum and PPO worth £1.6m in a personal injury and fatal accident claim to Claimant who, aged 7, sustained severe head injury in an RTA in which the remaining members of her family (mother, father and brother) were all killed. Deceased mother was the Defendant to the proceedings. Issues included approach to quantification where both parents deceased, but one is the Defendant. Claimant also refused to co-operate with further medico-legal examinations several years into the litigation
  • Stephens v Tesco Stores (2010, Butterfield J & assessors): costs appeal, relevance of late Part 47 offers made & rejected shortly prior to commencement of DAH.
  • Darg v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2009] EWHC 684 (QB) Sir Robert Nelson: personal injury, causation: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome arising from laceration to finger, intervening Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Successfully defending accusations of exaggeration levelled against Claimant.
  • Sidhu v Sandhu (2009) - costs appeal on enforceability of CFA
  • Porton Down (2008) - personal injury group action against MOD on behalf of servicemen exposed to chemicals in non-therapeutic experiments
  • Holmes v McAlpine (2006) - costs appeal on enforceability of CFA
  • Atack v Lea / Ellerton v Harris (2005) (CA) - costs appeal in relation to success fees in CFAs
  • Laming Inquiry (Victoria Climbie) (2004) - public inquiry into death of Victoria Climbie, representing interested party
  • Chatwin v Lowther (2003) (CA) - personal injury claim - recoverability of CRU benefits
  • Southall rail accident inquiry (2001) - counsel to inquiry on public inquiry into rail accident

Appointments

  • Appointed by the Judicial College as one of the editorial team responsible for the publication of the JSB Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in personal injury cases. (Oct 2011)
  • Special Advocate (appointed 2006 by Attorney General)