Anna Datta

Called 2009

A very thorough junior, who builds good rapport with the claimants as well as with the experts.

The Legal 500 (2024) - Clinical Negligence (Tier 2)

About

Anna is a specialist Clinical Negligence and Court of Protection barrister. In 2020 she was appointed as a Fee-Paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal, assigned to Health Education and Social Care (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

She is recommended as a leading barrister by the Legal 500 for Clinical Negligence. The guide describes her as ‘very pragmatic in her advice and pleadings which helps to cut through a lot of the complexities of medical negligence’. 

Anna prides herself on being approachable and she is able to work collaboratively with solicitors to assist at all stages of proceedings. She is able to quickly build a good rapport with lay and professional clients and give straightforward advice in complex cases. Anna aims to return paperwork promptly, whilst giving detailed and focused advice.

Since 2019 Anna has been a tutor on the medical ethics module for University of Leeds medical students.

Anna is the Vice President of the Leeds and District Medico-Legal Society.

Anna is the head of Chambers Clinical Negligence Team.

 

Areas of Expertise

Accolades

Anna has a busy personal injury practice and is regularly instructed by both Claimants and Defendants in a wide range of claims including road traffic accidents, employer’s liability claims and public liability claims.

Anna is regularly instructed at all stages of litigation in both fast track and multi track cases, including interlocutory applications, costs and case management hearings and trials.

She also has experience conducting conferences with both lay and expert witnesses involved in a variety of personal injury cases.

Anna has a busy paperwork practice and is experienced in advising upon issues of liability, evidence and quantum and drafting statements of case.

Recent Cases

  • A highways case involving personal injury and damage to a vehicle.
  • An accident on a building site involving multiple Defendants.
  • A complex case on causation involving a child who had pre-existing disabilities.

Anna accepts instructions on cases involving alleged abuse within a variety of settings including care homes; scouting associations and hospitals. She handles these cases in an empathetic and sensitive manner.

Anna has experience undertaking claims for and against public authorities. The claims against local authorities include those arising from Court of Protection work, such as deprivation of liberty and vulnerable patients. Anna also has experience of claims arising from all aspects of safeguarding. She prides herself on her sensitive and personable approach and is able to quickly build a rapport with lay and professional clients.

Anna acts on behalf of Claimants and Defendants on a wide range of serious and complex matters, including claims against nurses, GP’s, doctors, surgeons and other healthcare professionals.

She has experience of cases in most areas of medicine, including claims involving obstetrics, gynaecology, orthopaedics, neurology, urology, colorectal and dental issues.

Anna is competent to undertake high value and complex cases and is easily able to work as a part of team with experts and lawyers. She is regularly instructed to advise on paper and in conference, draft documents, attend court applications and trials and attend joint settlement meetings and mediations.

Recent cases

A claim involving the a death of a baby following a forceps delivery.

A claim arising out of a retained vaginal swab following childbirth.

A claim involving the negligent insertion of a catheter causing long term urinary problems.

A £140,000 claim involving the failure to administer intravenous antibiotics prior to an operation for an open mesh repair of a para umbilical hernia.

Anna regularly provides representation at inquests and pre-inquest reviews arising out of accidents at work, road traffic accidents and deaths in hospital/ following medical treatment.

Recent cases

  • Appeared on behalf of the family at a pre-inquest review into a fatal accident at work with multiple interested parties.
  • A two day inquest involving a child that had died shortly after being delivered by caesarean section.
  • A two day inquest involving the death of a child that died after being struck by a tractor at a farm and visitor attraction.
  • A two day inquest involving a child that died shortly after a forceps delivery.

Due to her background in personal injury and clinical negligence work, Anna focuses on cases involving health and welfare. She is however happy to represent clients in all Court of Protection Work.

She has acted for all parties (including P, lay respondents, CCGs and Local Authorities) in cases before all levels of the judiciary concerning the rights of people covered under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Capacity Act 1983.

Anna has been instructed on cases involving health and welfare decisions and findings of fact. Her background in personal injury and clinical negligence brings particular experience to cases which involve cross over with those who no longer have capacity due to an accident or trauma.

Anna prides herself on being personable and approachable. She is willing to work as part of team with lawyers, experts and other professionals and is able to provide advice at all stages of proceedings and assist with drafting court documents.

Anna also acts for all parties in cases involving financial decisions within the Court of Protection jurisdiction.

 

Chambers and Partners (2024) - Clinical Negligence (Band 2) - "She is a legally very astute barrister, who knows the law and can apply it, She can connect with clients very well and is very empathetic."

The Legal 500 (2024) - Court of Protection and Community Care (Tier 2) 

The Legal 500 (2024) - Clinical Negligence (Tier 2) - "A very thorough junior, who builds good rapport with the claimants as well as with the experts."

The Legal 500 (2023) - Clinical Negligence (Tier 2) - "Anna always provides practical, straight to the point advice with a very pragmatic touch. She will go the extra mile for clients."

The Legal 500 (2022) - Clinical Negligence (Tier 2) - "Anna is methodical and thorough. She leaves no point unexplored. She is also very understanding with clients and makes them feel at ease, whilst remaining objective and professional."

The Legal 500 (2021) - Clinical Negligence (Tier 2) - "Anna has a is very pragmatic in her advice and pleadings which helps to cut through a lot of the complexities of medical negligence."

Personal Injury Bar Association (PIBA)

Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA)

Employment Lawyers Association (ELA)

Leeds and District Medico-Legal Society. Anna is the Secretary of the Leeds and District Riding Medico-Legal Society (2014 - )

Head of Chambers Clinical Negligence Team.

Appointed Fee-Paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal, assigned to Health Education and Social Care (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

Vice President Leeds and District Riding Medico Legal Society

  • 'Taking the mystery out of capacity in clinical negligence cases', AvMA Lawyers Service Newsletter, June, 2022

BA (Hons), Nottingham University (2003-2006) Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School (2006-2007) BVC, Nottingham Law School (2007-2008)

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