"An exceptional trial advocate." "He's very approachable and clients really like him."
Chambers and Partners - UK Bar, 2020
His real strength is providing pragmatic solutions on complicated cases."
"Michael is equally adept at dealing with liability and quantum aspects of catastrophic personal injury matters. He is a very savvy negotiator as well."
Chambers and Partners - UK Bar, 2024
Michael is the counsel of choice on the vast majority of personal injury cases, as he is an outstanding barrister who is able to distil the key issues in even the most complex of cases. He has extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of high-value personal injury litigation, his approach to conferences with experts is extremely comprehensive and unrivalled, and he regularly goes up against Kings Counsel.”
Legal 500, 2024
Michael is really bright and always does an excellent job no matter what the issues are." "He provides clear advice in a thoughtful manner." "He is a class act."
Chambers and Partners - UK Bar, 2023
He is outstanding and able to deal with work ranging from highly complex, multimillion-pound injury litigation down to smaller-value matters. He treats every case with the same level of skill and is always meticulously prepared. He is exceptional in conference with experts and great on his feet."
Chambers and Partners - UK Bar, 2022
He is always clear, concise and very good on his feet." "Michael is very personable and excellent with clients. He's pragmatic, achieves good outcomes and is a safe pair of hands."
Chambers and Partners - UK Bar, 2021
Mr Justice Jay described his cross examination in Sonae Group Litigation - [2015] EWHC 2264 (QB) and [2016] EWCA Civ 1245 as "expert, patient and well-constructed”
A skilled negotiator who is always meticulously prepared."
Legal 500, 2021
Michael is technically astute and a superb tactician. He is able to cut through the issues and provide advice on complex matters in a straightforward manner which is easy to digest for clients, and he has a wealth of experience in dealing with complicated negligence cases and in advising on catastrophic injury claims.”
Legal 500, 2025
Michael provides exceptional advice and support."
Chambers and Partners - UK Bar, 2025
Michael Jones specialises in insurance and personal injury litigation. The majority of his practice involves catastrophic personal injury work with a particular emphasis on traumatic brain injury and amputation cases. He acts for both Claimants and Defendants.
Michael conducts a large number of round table meetings, mediations and way forward meetings each year. His recent settlements on behalf of Claimants include a capitalised award in a TBI case exceeding £10 million (£4 million lump sum and PPO of £320,000) and a lump sum award in a TBI case caused by a stabbing incident, arising from clinical negligence, in the sum of £5.4 million.
Michael has longstanding experience in defending large group litigation cases, including the Sonae Group Litigation brought by 18,000 claimants and valued at £100 million, in which all claims and the subsequent appeal were dismissed. He is instructed in the ongoing Chirk Nuisance Group Litigation in the High Court.
Michael has a significant practice in pain cases, primarily for Defendants. He also acts for insurers in recovery actions for property damage, primarily following fire or flooding.
He has considerable experience in Prisons litigation including Jury and Article 2 Inquests. He has an extensive knowledge of Coroners' law from his time as Junior Counsel to The Shipman Inquiry.
Michael is a regular contributor to Chambers' seminar programme, most recently on the topics of brain injury litigation and amputation cases, together with the prosthetist John Sullivan.
Michael has been listed in the main legal directories since 2003.
Clinical Negligence
Inquest
Personal Injury
Regulatory
Group Litigation
Severe Brain Injuries
Kirk and Jones v Culina Group Limited and Witkos
Liability trial
Pedestrian FAA claim
HHJ Rawlings, sitting as a Judge of the High Court, dismissed the Claimants’ claim on the grounds of causation. The Judge preferred the evidence of the Defendants’ reconstruction and A&E experts and made findings as to conspicuity and applicable perception reaction times in difficult night time driving conditions.
Claim dismissed
Instructed by Defendant
Judgment
Jerrom v Serco Leisure Operating Limited [2023] 2 WLUK 712
Application to resile from admission of liability
HHJ Brown allowed the Defendant’s application to resile from a pre-action admission of liability after a significant increase in the purported value of the Claimant’s claim.
Application allowed and Claimant ordered to pay the Defendant’s costs
Instructed by Defendant
Judgment
Briggs v CEF Holdings Limited [2017] EWCA Civ 2363 and [2018] 1 Costs L.O. 23
Costs appeal against the first instance decision disapplying the costs consequences following late acceptance of the Defendant’s Part 36 offer.
The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal holding that uncertainties in litigation were not a reason to depart from the usual costs consequences or undermine the salutary purpose of Part 36.
Instructed by Defendant
AM v Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust
JSM
Clinical negligence case in which the Claimant suffered a catastrophic stroke as a result of missed diagnosis. The case involved complex issues of breach, causation, condition and prognosis, life expectancy and damages issues, including care and accommodation.
Damages agreed at £3.1 million
Instructed by Claimant
Sonae Group Litigation
First Instance [2015] EWHC 2264 (QB)
Court of Appeal [2016] EWCA Civ 1245
Claim for personal injuries brought by 16,626 Claimants following a large fire.
GLO made by Hamblen J. in July 2012 on Defendant’s application.
Claim valued by claimants at £100 million.
Claims all dismissed.
Permission to appeal refused at oral hearing before Court of Appeal
Instructed by Defendant's insurers
Led by Michael Kent QC
JSH v PC NHSFT
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a severe traumatic brain injury.
The main issues at the JSM were the cost and provision of future care, accommodation and deputyship costs
Damages agreed at £5.4 million
Against Angus Moon QC
Instructed by Claimant
Knight v White
Interim Payment Application
Claimant sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and currently living in a residential care setting. Further interim payment ordered in the sum of £250,000, to bring total interim payments to £1.63 million.
Against James Rowley QC
Instructed by Claimant
Lawtel - LTL 24/4/2019
Westlaw - [2019] 4 WLUK 367
DW Sports Group Litigation
Claim for personal injuries brought by 72 Claimants
GLO made by HHJ Wood QC in February 2014 on Defendant’s application
Claims discontinued on confidential terms
Instructed by Defendant’s insurers
PB v SW
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained catastrophic neurological injuries.
Liability agreed at 2/3Quantum agreed at lump sum of £2,250,000 + PPO of £124,000 - 100% lump sum equivalent £8.6 million
Led by Chris Melton QC
Instructed by Claimant
Rowell v Rowell
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained below knee amputation and claimed damages of £2.16million, including six separate prosthetics.
The main issues at the JSM were the cost and provision of future prosthetics and loss of earnings.
Damages agreed at £950,000
Instructed by Defendant
Begum v Luty
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant Claimed £2.15 million primarily for care and single storey accommodation
Quantum agreed at £420,000
Instructed by Defendant
Marshall v Kybotech Limited
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained upper limb amputation and claimed damages of £2.056 million, including the cost of a Michelangelo hand prosthesis
The main issues at the JSM were the cost and provision of future prosthetics and lost earnings from a career in professional golf
Damages agreed at £950,000
Instructed by Defendant
Phillipson v Semeniuk
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained lower limb amputation and claimed damages of £1.963 million, including a range of prosthetics.
The main issues at the JSM were the cost and provision of future prosthetics, accommodation, care and assistive technology (which was agreed at nil)
Damages agreed at £985,000
Instructed by Defendant
Wingrave v Taverner
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained lower limb amputation and claimed damages of £1.589 million, including the cost of a Genium knee prosthesis
The main issues at the JSM were the cost and provision of future prosthetics, accommodation and care
Damages agreed at £1.16 million based on the Kenevo knee prosthesis
Instructed by Defendant
Watts v Wilson and Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained severe traumatic brain injury and claimed damages of £1.2 million
The main issues at the JSM were the cost and provision of future care and case management and liability under sections 151(7)-(8) of the Road Traffic Act 1988
Damages agreed at £176,000
Instructed by Defendant
Bowden v Adler and Allen Limited
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained severe burn injuries and claimed damages of £1.6 million
The main issues at the JSM were the cost and provision of future care and case management, accommodation and future loss of earnings
Claimant accepted the Defendant’s Part 36 offer made following the JSM in the sum of £760,000
Instructed by Defendant
Lawton v Kinder Mountain Rescue Team
Liability trial - 4 days
Claimant sustained serious spinal injuries following uncontrolled descent in a mountaineering exercise
Claim dismissed
Claimant consented to dismissal after his expert witness accepted the Defendant's case on the last day of the trial
Instructed by Defendant
Wormald v Ahmed
Liability trial - 3 days
Claimant sustained catastrophic spinal and brain injuries in a road traffic accident
Claim valued by Claimant at £8 million
Judgment 60:40% apportionment in Claimant's favour
Instructed by Defendant
Led by Winston Hunter QC
Harris v Peet
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claim by elderly tetraplegic Claimant for lump sum of £1.25 million and stepped PPO of £265,000 to £345,000.
Lump sum included accommodation claim of £485,000.
Case settled on basis of lump sum of £830,000, PPO of £235,000 and insurers purchasing & adapting a bungalow, granting the Claimant a life tenancy for nominal rent.
Instructed by Defendant
Cass v Braintree Clinical Services
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant claimed damages in the sum of £850,000 arising out of alleged clinical negligence during arthroscopic surgery.
Damages agreed in the sum of £220,000.
Instructed by Defendant
Cronshaw v Harvey
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant’s claim for damages for £3.4 million arising from a traumatic cerebral haemorrhage.
Complex causation issues.Damages agreed in the sum of £1.1 million.
Instructed by Defendant
NM v Borrett
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant’s claim for damages arising out of severe traumatic brain injury. Claim for lump sum of £2.73 million plus PPO of £120,000.
Damages agreed on a lump sum basis in the sum of £3.02 million
Instructed by Defendant
Say v Bettley
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a catastrophic brain injury and claimed damages of £2.6 million
The main issues at the JSM were the viability of a PPO and reverse indemnity in the context of partial local authority funding and an agreed liability apportionment
Damages agreed at £1.05 million lump sum
Instructed by Defendant
Mullett v Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey
Quantum Trial – 3 Days Claimant's claim for damages in the sum of £250,000 arising from orthopaedic injuries and alleged fibromyalgia.
Claim compromised at the conclusion of the Claimant’s cross examination in the sum of £22,000 with no order as to costs.
Instructed by Defendant
Cooper v Shropshire County Council
Advising Defendant (Land Drainage Authority) and its insurers in proceedings for damages and mandatory injunction arising from damage caused by river flooding
Proceedings discontinued.
McDonald v Webb
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a catastrophic brain injury and claimed damages of £1.3 million
The main issue at the JSM was the likelihood of the Claimant accepting care
Damages agreed at £850,000 lump sum
Instructed by Defendant
Platt v AMEC
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained lower limb injury with significant chance of amputation and claimed damages of £2.05 million plus provisional damages
Damages agreed at £990,000 on a full and final basis
Instructed by Defendant
Smith v Carter International
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained upper limb amputation and claimed damages of £1.7 million
The main issue at the JSM was the cost and provision of future prosthetics
Damages agreed at £1.14 million
Instructed by Defendant
Leslie v Marshall
Quantum trial - 4 days
Claimant sustained complex lower limb injuries
Damages assessed at £345,000 plus provisional damages, beating Defendant's Part 36 offer
Instructed by Claimant
Inquest - Keith Ruskin
Inquest - listed for 2 days
No criticism of health care and finding of death by natural causes
Instructed by the Treasury Solicitor
Inquest - Elizabeth Kerr
Inquest - listed for 3 weeks - 15 parties
Advised in conference on complex engineering issues and represented Integral at the Inquest
Regulation 28 letter - Report to Prevent Future Deaths - not sent to Integral
Instructed by the insurers of Integral Ltd
R v D
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained lower limb amputation/complex upper limb injuries and claimed damages of £3.2 million, including the cost of a BiOM prosthesis
The main issues at the JSM were the cost and provision of future prosthetics, accommodation and care
Damages agreed at £1.47 million based on the BiOM prosthesis
Instructed by Claimant
Led by Chris Melton QC
Simmons v Houston
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a catastrophic brain injury
Liability agreed at 65%
Quantum ongoing (in 2015)
Instructed by Claimant
Led by Richard Hartley QC
Wallace v Chief Constable Cleveland Police
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a traumatic brain injury when hit by a police vehicle in a high-speed pursuit
Damages agreed at £115,000 - 50% apportionment
Instructed by Defendant
Ingham v Wakeford
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a catastrophic brain injury in a road traffic accident
Liability agreed at first JSM 2/3 – 1/3 apportionment in Claimant’s favour
Damages agreed at second JSM £3 million lump sum + provisional damages subject to liability apportionment
Instructed by Claimant
Led by Richard Hartley QC
Mennell v Phones 4U Ltd
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant claimed damages arising from a pain syndrome in the sum of £3.5 million
Damages agreed at £750,000
Instructed by Defendant
Led by Richard Hartley QC
Williams v Town & City Pub Company and Toshiba
Joint Settlement Meeting Claimant claimed damages arising from a pain syndrome in the sum of £1.35 million
Damages agreed at £300,000 Recovery action against Third Party ongoing (in 2015)
Instructed by Defendant
Thornton v Mamedgasanov
Procedural hearing
Claimant claimed damages arising from a pain syndrome in the sum of £1.5 million
Damages agreed at £30,000 (with an agreement not to bring proceedings for contempt) following a procedural hearing as to the admissibility of surveillance evidence
Instructed by Defendant
Crane v TJ Morris
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant claimed damages arising from a pain syndrome in a sum exceeding £1 million
Damages agreed at £50,000 plus fixed sum costs
Instructed by Defendant
Wallbank v British Waterways
Claimant sustained serious lower limb injury
Damages agreed at £375,000 + provisional damages
Instructed by Claimant
Joint Settlement Meeting
Casterton v Laidlaw
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a catastrophic brain injury in a road traffic accident
Damages agreed at £1.9 million lump sum + PPO of £75,000 + provisional damages
Instructed by Claimant
Led by Richard Hartley QC
Murphy v the Country Inn
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained lower limb amputation and claimed damages of £1.15 million
Damages agreed at £325,000 to reflect liability issues
Instructed by Defendant
Roberts v Hughes
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained injuries, which ended his football career and he claimed damages of £2.5 million
The main issue at the JSM was the statistical chance of the Claimant (who was an academy player at Shrewsbury Town FC) becoming a professional footballer
Damages agreed at £260,000
Instructed by Defendant
Tinker v Samkova
Joint Settlement Meeting
Fatal Accidents Act claim arising from a road traffic accident in the sum of £600,000
The main issue at the JSM was whether the deceased would have survived a cardiac arrest but for the RTA
Damages agreed at £125,000
Instructed by Defendant
Neely v Flybe and OCS
Liability trial
Claimant claimed damages under the Montreal Convention 1999 for injuries sustained whilst embarking an aircraft
Claim dismissed
Instructed by Second Defendant
Herriott v Kinsey
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a catastrophic brain injury in a road traffic accident
Damages agreed at £1.5 million
Instructed by Claimant
Led by Winston Hunter QC
Ledwith v Shell Research and MDS
Summary judgment
Advising Defendant on "hold harmless" clause in contract with Third Party and drafting proceedings
Summary judgment entered for Defendant
Instructed by Defendant
S v B
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a catastrophic brain injury and claimed damages of £2.9 million
The main issues at the JSM were the likelihood of the Claimant accepting care and the viability of a PPO
Damages agreed at £1.4 million lump sum
Instructed by Defendant
Shah v British Midland Plc
Liability trial
Claimant claimed damages for injuries sustained during the course of her employment as an air stewardess, which caused her to retire on medical grounds
Claim discontinued after Claimant’s evidence
Instructed by Defendant
Advent v Securiplex and First County
Advising Second Defendant as to the enforceability of a limitation clause limiting liability for Claimant's losses arising from theft
Claimant accepted the enforceability of the limitation clause
Inquest - David Sekonyela
Inquest - listed for 3 days
Death reportable to HSE and raising healthcare issues
Instructed by the widow of the deceased
Griffiths v Feaver
Liability trial - 3 days
Claimant sustained catastrophic injuries in a road traffic accident
Liability compromised on an 85% apportionment on day 3 of the trial
Damages subsequently agreed at a JSM in the sum of £1.53 million plus provisional damages
Instructed by Claimant
Led by Richard Hartley QC
Wilson & others v South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority
Liability trial - 4 days
Fatal Accidents Act claim following gas explosion at a fire attended by SYFRA
Claim discontinued before trial
Instructed by Defendant
Hoogendoorn v Clarke
Joint Settlement Meeting
Fibromyalgia claim for C$2.64 million for lost earnings as a lawyer in Canada
Damages agreed at £250,000
Instructed by Defendant
Led by James Rowley QC
Linkwise Sofa Dermatitis Group Litigation
Claim for personal injuries brought by 5,000 Claimants for exposure to DMF in furniture
GLO made by MacDuff J. in 2008 on Claimant's application
Negotiated settlement in 2010 with innovative damages matrix and claims handling agreement in respect of the 1,600 valid claims
All claims resolved by 2012.
Instructed by Defendant's insurers
Led by Michael Kent QC
Mescall v Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
JSM
Claim for damages following missed diagnosis of pyelonephritis
Settled at £430,000
Instructed by Claimant
Agius v Chong
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained injuries, which ended his career in Thai Boxing and claimed damages of £1.05 million
The main issues at the JSM were the Claimant's likely career and earnings in the sport of Thai Boxing
Damages agreed at £650,000
Instructed by Defendant
Howard v Shipp
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained catastrophic spinal and brain injuries in a road traffic accident
Damages agreed at £1.6 million
Instructed by Claimant
Led by Chris Melton QC
Ragg v Thorpe
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained lower limb amputation and claimed damages of £1.8 million
Damages agreed at £1.05 million
Instructed by Defendant
Taylor v Fircroft Engineering
Quantum trial - 4 days
Claimant claimed damages of £500,000 for lost earnings in the oil and gas industry
Damages assessed at £90,000 - significantly lower than the Defendant's Part 36 offer
Instructed by Defendant
Sutton v Welch
Joint Settlement Meeting
Claimant sustained a catastrophic brain injury
Damages agreed at £1.03 million + provisional damages
Instructed by Claimant
Led by Richard Hartley QC
H v CICA
Appeal to CICA
Traumatic brain injury caused by shooting with air gun pellet
Appeal against award of £80,000
Awarded £460,000 on appeal
AG's Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown - 2012
AG's Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown - 2007
Shipman Inquiry - Counsel to the Inquiry - 2001 - 2004
Bar Vocational Course (ICSL) 1998
LL.B (Hons) (Birmingham - 1997)
Professional Negligence Bar Association
Personal Injuries Bar Association
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