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Christopher Wilson-Smith QC

Called to bar 1965
Date of Silk 1986

Clerk Graham Woods Tel: 020 7353 6381
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"Christopher Wilson-Smith QC has an outstanding reputation as "an excellent, old-fashioned common lawyer." Chambers UK 2009

Christopher Wilson-Smith QC was Head of Chambers and became a Civil and Crime Recorder in 1977, a Bencher in1996 and a member of the New South Wales Bar in 2000. His practice covers Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence, with Hybrid cases that combine the two specialisms, along with crime and Health & Safety. Wilson-Smith has been listed as a 'leader' in each of his areas of law for a number of years in Chambers UK and The Legal 500 legal directories. He is frequently invited to chair conferences and seminars including those run by the AvMA and SIA.

In Clinical Negligence Wilson-Smith acts for both claimants and defendants [ e.g. NHSLA]. Many of the cases involve babies with birth injuries, which by their nature have attracted multi-million pound awards. Others have involved breaches of duty in the medical care received following the initial trauma. Such cases have generally been complex on the issues of liability or quantum or both.

In Personal Injury Christopher acts for claimants and defendants in multiple cases involving catastrophic injury. These have principally involved spinal injury and serious brain damage. Typically, the cases have been of a high value where the awards after trial or settlement have been in the £millions. A number of the cases have involved a hybrid element where the initial injury has been compounded or made worse by negligence by subsequent medical mistreatment.

Christopher both prosecutes and defends in major crimes, primarily on Circuit, particularly relating to Corporate Manslaughter and Health & Safety offences. He also defends Police Officers.

Areas of practice

Clinical Negligence & Healthcare, Personal Injury, Health & Safety

What the directories say

"Christopher Wilson-Smith QC is "great on large quantum cases." A "formidable advocate," he also receives accolades for his "fantastic cross-examination of witnesses." Chambers UK 2009

"Christopher Wilson-Smith QC "scores well once he gets his man in the box - woe betide the mendacious when Wilson-Smith takes them to task."  Chambers UK 2008

"Christopher Wilson-Smith QC's varied criminal practice takes in such matters as the defence of solicitors charged with serious criminal cases and boardroom corruption cases. He is known for his "succinct advice, which is always on the mark and he possesses "excellent advocacy skills" Chambers UK 2009