Nine Chambers Personal Injury Team Ranked Tier 1 in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026

Nine Chambers’ Personal Injury Team has been ranked Tier 1 in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026, highlighting its outstanding expertise and reputation in the field.

In The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026, Nine Chambers is described as “a stand-out chambers in Manchester for high-value personal injury work”. The directory highlights the team’s strength as “leaders in their field of defendant insurance work for catastrophic claims”, while also being equally strong in complex claimant matters.

Fraud and exaggeration claims form a core area of expertise, demonstrated in Shaw v Wilde, where Christopher Kennedy KC and Matthew Snarr successfully defended a £6.6 million claim that was dismissed for fundamental dishonesty, with the genuine value assessed at £1.2 million. Kirsty McKinlay is noted for fatal accident and catastrophic injury cases, Joseph Mulderig for industrial disease work, Julie-Anne Luck for road traffic claims, and Elizabeth Murray for her specialist expertise in equine law under Section 2 of the Animals Act 1971.

From catastrophic spinal and brain injury cases to industrial disease, military claims, sexual abuse litigation, and fast-track personal injury work, the team offers unrivalled depth and breadth across the field. With barristers instructed nationwide by leading firms of all sizes, and supported by a highly regarded clerking team, Nine Chambers continues to be recognised for its excellence, accessibility, and client-focused approach in personal injury law.

Band 1 Leading Silk – Christopher Kennedy KC

Christopher Kennedy KC is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Silk in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“An exceptional silk. He is totally unflappable, a calm influence even in the most stressful cases. Nothing fazes him.”

Head of Nine Chambers, Chris is instructed predominantly by insurers and is regularly engaged in cases involving catastrophic injury, complex liability disputes, and issues of wider legal importance, though he is equally experienced in acting for claimants. His recent caseload includes spinal and brain injury claims, low-awareness state cases, serious child injury, and litigation involving emerging medical technologies and allegations of fundamental dishonesty.

Known for his unflappable manner, meticulous preparation, and clear strategic judgment, Chris is also highly regarded for his expertise in Health and Safety, advising and representing defendants in both the criminal and civil jurisdictions.

Band 1 Leading Junior – Matthew Snarr

Matthew Snarr is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 1 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“Matthew is all the things you want in a senior junior. He is forensic, strategic, pragmatic, and excellent with clients. His advocacy is second to none. His trial advocacy is so impressive, and his ability to read the room and move as the evidence develops is first class. He is a go-to for cases of the utmost severity.”

Matthew specialises in catastrophic injury and large loss litigation, with instructions often valued between £1m–£10m. Frequently appearing against or alongside leading counsel, he acts for both claimants and defendants in cases of the highest complexity, particularly in the transport, healthcare, construction and prison sectors.

Known for his meticulous preparation, forensic cross-examination and strategic judgment, Matthew is a go-to advocate in the most serious cases, combining robust advocacy with pragmatic and client-focused advice.

Band 2 Leading Junior – James Hurd

James Hurd is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“His preparation is excellent as are his communication skills. He is thorough and precise. His cross-examination is always effective. He has the ability to dissect and forensically address witness evidence. He is discerning with points to run with.”

James acts for both claimants and defendants across the full range of personal injury work, with particular expertise in employers’ liability, disease claims, psychiatric injury and severe brain and spinal injury cases. He is frequently instructed in complex, high-value claims requiring expert evidence and detailed schedules of loss, and is also experienced in cases involving clinical negligence, road traffic accidents, and workplace stress.

Known for his forensic preparation, clear advocacy and client-focused approach, James combines technical excellence with a practical understanding of commercial realities.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Julie-Anne Luck

Julie-Anne Luck is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“She takes complex concepts and presents them in an easily comprehensible way. She has a good bedside manner with clients.”

Called to the Bar in 2006 after 12 years’ practice as a solicitor and partner at Berrymans Lace Mawer, Julie-Anne is an accredited mediator whose practice focuses on personal injury, clinical negligence and inquests. She is regularly instructed by defendants, insurers and claimants in cases typically valued between £50,000 and £1,000,000, and is known for meticulous preparation, clear advisory and drafting work, and a practical, client-focused approach grounded in commercial realities.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Brian McCluggage

Brian McCluggage is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.

Head of the Personal Injury Team at Nine Chambers, Brian specialises in catastrophic injury and high-value claims, often exceeding seven figures and reaching up to £15 million. Known for his rigorous preparation and expertise with complex scientific and technical evidence, he is frequently instructed in cases involving brain and spinal injuries, amputations, fatal accidents, and high-value liability disputes.

A formidable courtroom advocate, Brian is praised for incisive cross-examination and his ability to expose inconsistencies in both lay and expert evidence. He works collaboratively with solicitors and clients to deliver clear strategies and robust representation in the most challenging cases.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Kirsty McKinlay

Kirsty McKinlay is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“A junior who demonstrates resilience and fortitude in her advocacy.”

Kirsty has a strong practice acting for both claimants and defendants in high-value and complex personal injury and clinical negligence claims, including fatal accidents, chronic pain, employers’ and public liability, road traffic, and cases with a foreign or insurance dimension. She is also regularly instructed in inquests, Article 2 investigations and arbitration hearings.

Renowned for her meticulous preparation, clear written work, and commercial advice, Kirsty is further recognised for her expertise in costs litigation, which enables her to provide strategic, pragmatic guidance from the outset of proceedings.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Joseph Mulderig

Joseph Mulderig is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“Joseph is a persuasive advocate with the ability to cut to the heart of the issues, not taking weak points. His attention to detail is first rate.”

With over 20 years’ experience, Joseph specialises in high-value and complex personal injury litigation, including catastrophic brain and spinal injuries, amputation claims, chronic pain, fatal accidents, clinical negligence, industrial disease, and cases involving allegations of fraud or exaggeration. He is frequently instructed in claims exceeding £1 million and has particular expertise in drafting detailed schedules of loss, negotiating at JSMs, and conducting forensic cross-examination at trial.

Known for his approachable and client-focused style, Joseph combines clear and practical advice with tenacious advocacy throughout the litigation process.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Michael O’Neill

Michael O’Neill is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“A fighter in court with an extremely conscientious approach to cases.”

Deputy Head of the Personal Injury Team at Nine Chambers, Mike specialises exclusively in complex and high-value claims, routinely valued at £500,000–£2 million and above. His practice covers catastrophic orthopaedic and brain injuries, amputations, chronic pain disorders, epilepsy, and fatal accidents.

Equally instructed by both claimants and defendants, Mike is known for his forensic case analysis, early strategic input on liability and expert evidence, and tactical expertise in credibility disputes involving surveillance or social media. Praised for his judgment, advocacy and approachable style, he is regularly instructed in Joint Settlement Meetings and at trial in the most challenging cases.

Band 2 Leading Junior – Zoë Thompson

Zoë Thompson is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 2 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“Zoë has strong technical knowledge. She gives robust advice whilst maintaining empathy with clients. She is an impressive advocate in court.”

Zoë specialises in catastrophic and large loss litigation, acting predominantly for defendants in cases involving fatal accidents, brain and spinal injuries, amputations, chronic pain, and complex liability disputes. Head of the Travel and International Personal Injury Group and former Head of the Insurance Fraud Group, she is particularly sought after in claims involving exaggeration, dishonesty, and cross-border issues.

Known as a fierce trial advocate with extensive appellate experience up to the Supreme Court, Zoë is also a skilled negotiator, frequently instructed at Joint Settlement Meetings and mediations. Clients value her direct, pragmatic approach, combining robust advocacy with empathy and clear strategic guidance.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Philip De Berry

Philip De Berry is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“Philip’s keen mind enables him to dissect complex cases with precision and grasp subtle nuances. A dedicated barrister.”

Phil has a busy practice spanning personal injury, industrial disease, professional negligence and Court of Protection work, with extensive experience in catastrophic brain injury, fatal accident and complex medical causation claims. He regularly appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal, including appeals arising from highly technical matters. His industrial disease expertise is particularly well-regarded, covering asbestos, respiratory disease, HAVS, RSI and NIHL, with mesothelioma cases forming the bulk of his current work. Known for his tactical awareness, rigorous trial advocacy and meticulous preparation, Phil is frequently instructed in high-value claims up to £1 million and beyond, and is valued for his accessibility, swift turnaround of papers, and determination to leave no stone unturned.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Jamie Hill

Jamie Hill is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“A very diligent junior who builds good rapport with witnesses. His advocacy is very impressive.”

Jamie has a busy multi-track practice, acting for both claimants and defendants in cases routinely valued up to £1 million. Much of his higher-value work involves traumatic brain injury, where he is often instructed early to advise on tactics and expert evidence. He also has extensive experience in fatal accidents, highways claims and serious road traffic cases, with recent successes including multimillion-pound settlements and robust trial advocacy on liability disputes. Known for his diligence, tactical insight and approachable style, Jamie is highly regarded for securing strong outcomes in complex and contested litigation.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Leanne Jones

Leanne Jones is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“Leanne is someone who comes absolutely prepared to every hearing she is involved in… able to put forward appropriate arguments at every turn.”

She acts for both claimants and defendants in multi-track claims valued up to £500,000, with experience across traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, serious orthopaedic injuries and employer’s liability disputes, including allegations of assault and fraud. Leanne is also regularly instructed in occupiers’ liability and highways claims, and is praised for her meticulous preparation, pragmatic advice and persuasive advocacy in complex and sensitive cases.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Benjamin Morris

Benjamin Morris is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“He is an incredibly safe pair of hands in complex cases where small details can make a large difference. He also has excellent judgement, ensuring that cases are progressed efficiently and in clients’ best interests. He has an excellent manner with clients, filling them with confidence.”

Ben specialises in serious and high-value personal injury claims, often exceeding £500,000, with expertise across catastrophic brain and spinal injuries, amputations, psychiatric injury, chronic pain, fatal accidents and military claims. He also has a strong reputation in defending civil fraud, particularly in Employer’s Liability, Public Liability and RTA litigation. Known for his meticulous preparation, persuasive advocacy and reassuring client manner, Ben is regarded as a highly effective and trusted advocate in complex cases.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Elizabeth Murray

Elizabeth Murray is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“Elizabeth demonstrates exceptional professionalism when dealing with challenging litigants in person, maintaining a calm and resolute approach in her reasoning and opinions. She provides invaluable support to her instructing solicitors, combining legal expertise with a practical, commonsense approach to law and procedure.”

Elizabeth is routinely instructed in high-value claims worth up to and beyond £1.5 million, acting for both claimants and defendants across the full spectrum of personal injury work, including serious injury, fatal accidents, fraud, industrial disease and occupational liability. She also has a niche expertise in Animals Act litigation, particularly equestrian claims, where she brings specialist knowledge to complex cases.

Known for her meticulous preparation, calm advocacy and collaborative approach, Elizabeth combines robust legal expertise with a practical and reassuring style that inspires confidence in clients and solicitors alike.

Band 3 Leading Junior – Christopher Taft

Christopher Taft is recognised by The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026 as a Band 3 Leading Junior in Personal Injury.
The directory notes:

“He has a calm, detailed and highly effective cross-examination style, and immediately puts clients at ease. A fierce negotiator who will fight hard for his client’s position.”

With more than 25 years’ experience in personal injury litigation, Chris acts for both claimants and defendants across the full spectrum of multi-track work, including serious road traffic accidents, employers’ liability, public liability, disease, deafness, stress, abuse and high-value pain cases.

Appointed to the Treasury Panel in 2012, he is frequently instructed in large loss and complex disputes involving contested medical evidence, and is noted for his forensic approach and ability to navigate sensitive credibility issues. Chris has particular expertise in cases involving police officers, having acted in numerous high-profile claims before the CICAP and CICB, and is valued by instructing solicitors for his practical judgment, approachable style, and proven skill in both settlement negotiations and trial advocacy.