Overview
Alistair is an accomplished barrister with over thirty year’s experience at the Bar. He specialises in Personal Injury work and has carved out a specialism in equestrian issues and associated litigation – an area he enjoys, having many years of experience of equestrian activities as a recreational hobby.
He is recognised for his client friendly manner and has a genuine enthusiasm for his practice area and this is reflected in the passion and professionalism he brings to each instruction.
Alistair has previously qualified and practiced as a Barrister and Solicitor of New Zealand and then a Solicitor of England and Wales. Although he is considerate and empathetic to his clients, he can be a truly robust advocate when required. He also understands the stresses and strains facing the instructing solicitor and how to navigate these in his clients’ best interests.
Insurance Fraud
Alistair has had considerable experience in the broad spectrum of motor insurance fraud litigation. He has dealt with a variety of claims involving fraud issues, including:
– Low velocity impact issues.
– Exaggerated claims.
– Staged or induced collisions.
– Phantom passenger claims.
Alistair regularly receives instructions to defend fraudulent claims on behalf of major insurance companies. He is experienced in dealing with the issues arising in such cases. He strives to maintain an approachable style while ensuring clear consideration of the issues.
Alistair regularly advises pre-proceedings in conference and in writing in addition to drafting pleadings as required. He regularly attends Court to defend trials both at fast track and multi-track level in addition to dealing with interlocutory matters. Alistair aims to provide a prompt turnaround of paperwork and reliable advocacy.
Personal Injury
Alistair specialises in Personal Injury litigation having a broad experience of cases involving employers liability, industrial diseases, public liability and road traffic accidents. His practice includes a good balance of both Claimant and Defendant work. He regularly undertakes cases on behalf of Local Authorities in public liability and employers liability claims.
In industrial disease related claims he has experience of asbestos related claims, exposure to fumes, deafness and RSI claims.
Alistair’s practice is mainly civil litigation based. He receives instructions in contract matters. His practice is complimented by experience in Coroners inquests, Health and Safety and Trading Standards matters.
Inquests & Public Inquiries
Having over 30 years’ experience in practice at the Bar, Alistair has received instructions to represent interested parties at Coroner’s inquests concerning fatality in consequence of traffic and industrial accidents along with death occurring in the care sector and death in custody. Alistair has represented bereaved families in the coronial process along with other interested persons including police officers, care providers, local authorities and private companies. In addition to representing interested parties in coroner alone inquests, Alistair also has experience of representing interested parties in jury inquests, which include a death in custody inquest where he represented police officers and other interested parties included medical professionals involved in the custody process along with hospital staff.
Alistair’s understanding of the inquisitorial nature of the coronial process and the sensitivity of the issues from the perspective of the interested parties are key factors that reflect his advice and representation to clients involved in Coroners’ inquests.
Associations
Personal Injury Bar Association
Education
LLB (Hons), University of Leeds
Prescribed Information
Mr Alistair Bower is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Mr Alistair Bower can be found here.
Mr Alistair Bower’s clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Mr Alistair Bower to undertake any Court, Tribunal and Coroner Court services work for a brief fee plus refresher days. For advisory work, paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate although fixed fees are available. Conditional Fee Agreements will be considered in cases with favourable prospects of success. Mr Alistair Bower will typically return paperwork within 10-14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Alistair also undertakes Direct Access work. This work is undertaken on a contractual basis, as agreed between the client and Alistair’s clerks. This is on fixed fee basis for a specific events such as a conference, advisory work, a hearing with additional hearing days (refreshers) or the drafting of specific documents. All work agreed to be undertaken by Alistair with the fixed fee cost will be clearly outlined in the direct access contract signed by the client and will be payable in full prior to the commencement of the work.
