Catherine is instructed by both Claimants and Defendants, predominantly at fast and multi track level. She is happy to accept instructions on a Conditional Fee basis.

Catherine’s specialist practice areas include:

Public Liability cases

Catherine regularly acts for local authorities in highway maintenance claims, winter maintenance claims and claims arising out of alleged failure to exercise a statutory power. She also represents local authorities and housing authorities in claims brought under the Defective Premises Act 1972 and the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985.

Occupiers Liability cases

Catherine represents a number of large retail and entertainment establishments and regularly defends claims brought by members of the public arising out of accidents at such premises. She also represents local authorities in respect of accidents at schools, parks, leisure facilities and other premises.

Employer’s Liability cases

Catherine has extensive experience of cases involving the ‘six pack’ regulations. She has lectured widely on the implications of the Enterprise Act on such claims for both Claimants and Defendants.

Road Traffic Accidents

Catherine has particular experience in claims involving allegations of fraud and represents a variety of insurers in such claims. She has conducted credit hire litigation on behalf of insurers since 2002 and so, is well versed in the plethora of case law which has developed over this time.

Inquests

Catherine represents bereaved families throughout the coronial process and in any subsequent civil proceedings. She has also represented companies during such process and in subsequent HSE proceedings.

CICA Claims

Catherine has been involved in a number of high profile CICA claims arising out of the Hillsborough Disaster, the murder of a police officer and the attempted murder of a prostitute.

Catherine has developed a strong employment law practice and represents both Claimants and Respondents in all aspects of employment work in the ET and the EAT.

Catherine acts regularly for Banks, Care Homes, Small and Large commercial employers, NHS Trusts, Local Authorities, Charities and Unions.

Some of her recent clients include British Sky Broadcasting, Lloyds TSB Bank, HBOS, Parcel Point, Clipper Logistics and Working Links.

Catherine has a wide experience in key areas of Employment including:

• Discrimination (all areas)
• Unfair Dismissal
• Whistleblowing
• Equal Pay
• TUPE
• Breach of Contract Claims
• Maternity
• Redundancy
• Agency Workers
• Employment Status
• Restrictive Covenants
• Unlawful Deduction of Wages and Holiday pay claims
• Harrasment and Victimisation

Catherine regularly provides lectures and case law updates.

Catherine is a member of the Chamber’s credit hire team. She is strong on statutory unenforceability arguments, in particular under the Cancellation of Contracts made in the Consumer’s Home or Place of Work Regulations.

Catherine has developed a strong employment law practice and represents both Claimants and Respondents in all aspects of employment work in the ET and the EAT.

Catherine acts regularly for Banks, Care Homes, Small and Large commercial employers, NHS Trusts, Local Authorities, Charities and Unions.

Some of her recent clients include British Sky Broadcasting, Lloyds TSB Bank, HBOS, Parcel Point, Clipper Logistics and Working Links.

Catherine has a wide experience in key areas of Employment including:

• Discrimination (all areas)
• Unfair Dismissal
• Whistleblowing
• Equal Pay
• TUPE
• Breach of Contract Claims
• Maternity
• Redundancy
• Agency Workers
• Employment Status
• Restrictive Covenants
• Unlawful Deduction of Wages and Holiday pay claims
• Harrasment and Victimisation

Catherine regularly provides lectures and case law updates.

Catherine is part of the Education team and is keen to develop her practice in this area. She is happy to accept instructions on behalf of local authorities, governing bodies of all schools, colleges and universities and individuals.

Catherine is part of the Investigations team and is keen to develop her practice in this area. She is happy to accept instructions regarding internal workplace investigations, disciplinary procedures and grievances.

Chambers and Partners (2024) - Personal Injury (Band 2) - "Catherine is an excellent adviser and advocate; she is very thorough and personable for clients but dogged in court." "Catherine's attention to detail and clear advice is second to none." "Catherine has a very good manner with clients and is able to put them at ease in conference. She assesses difficult issues well and provides quality advice."

The Legal 500 (2024) - Personal Injury (Tier 2) - "Catherine is a fantastic advocate; she thinks on her feet and tackles the issues as they arise."

The Legal 500 (2024) - Employment (Tier 3)

Chambers and Partners (2023) - Personal Injury (Band 2) - "Catherine Souter represents claimants and defendants in multi-track as well as fast-track cases. She has a broad range of experience but is particularly knowledgeable about personal injury arising out of health and safety breaches, and is well versed in employment, occupiers' and public liability cases. She also handles claims involving fatal accidents, psychiatric injury and chronic pain conditions. Her clients include local authorities, NHS trusts, manufacturers and insurers."

The Legal 500 (2023) - Personal Injury (Tier 2)

The Legal 500 (2023) - Employment (Tier 3)

The Legal 500 (2022) - Personal Injury (Tier 2) - "A junior who goes above and beyond. A safe pair of hands."

The Legal 500 (2022) - Employment (Tier 3)

Chambers and Partners (2022) - (Band 2) - "A fierce and reliable barrister who does not shy away from difficult cases. She always provides her advice in a clear and comprehensive manner and always goes the extra mile for the client. She is extremely friendly and approachable and is always meticulously prepared."

Chambers and Partners (2021) - (Band 2) - "A good negotiator - she's robust and really impressive in conferences. She's good at dealing with experts and is excellent in cross-examinations."

The Legal 500 (2021) - Personal Injury (Tier 2) - "Catherine is one of the stars of the North Eastern Circuit. Superb with clients, excellent tactically and very robust in negotiations at JSMs."

The Legal 500 (2021) - Employment (Tier 3) - "A go-to counsel for respondent employers."

Chambers and Partners (2020) - (Band 2) - "Robust and excellent with clients. She's determined to get the client the best possible outcome." "Pragmatic, thorough and helpful."

The Legal 500 (2020) - (Tier 2) - "Very good on her feet and in cross-examination."

Chambers and Partners (2019) - (Band 2) - "She's excellent with clients and very good on her feet. She is determined to get the best results and go the extra mile." "She provides sound advice on high-value work and is very good with clients, showing empathy towards those who are in very difficult circumstances."

The Legal 500 (2018/2019) - "Her practice includes public and occupiers' liability cases."

Chambers and Partners (2018) - (Band 2) - "Represents claimants and defendants in multi-track cases. She has a broad range of experience but is particularly knowledgeable about personal injury arising out of health and safety breaches, and is well versed in employment, occupiers' and public liability cases. Her clients include local authorities, manufacturers and insurers." Strengths: "Really determined, robust and the advocate you want on your side. She is well liked by clients and clear and concise when dealing with them." Recent work: Represented the defendant local authority in a case brought by a schoolchild regarding injuries sustained when he caught his rucksack on a school handrail.

The Legal 500 (2017) - "Good on her feet, persuasive, and an impressive negotiator."

Chambers and Partners (2017) "Catherine represents claimants and defendants in multi-track as well as fast track cases. She has a broad range of experience but is particularly knowledgeable on personal injury arising out of health and safety breaches and is well versed in occupiers and public liability cases. Clients love her; she is very much on their side. She is impressive in conference and an excellent advocate. She is a safe pair of hands who is pragmatic and very good in court."

The Legal 500 (2016) - "Catherine is ‘extremely personable and helpful and will go the extra mile for you."

Chambers and Partners (2016) - "Represents local authorities, large companies and insurers as defendants and trade unions as claimants. Offers particular expertise in EL/PL claims." Strengths: "She really is a star. We were impressed by her written advice through to conferences and her performance in court." "She is an excellent up-and-coming advocate."

The Legal 500 (2015) - "Extremely personable and helpful, and will go the extra mile for you."

Chambers and Partners (2015) - "Singled out for her experience in employers’ and occupiers’ liability issues. Clients are drawn from a wide range of sectors and include insurers, trade unions and local authorities."

The Legal 500 (2014) - "A personal injury specialist who predominantly undertakes cases at the fast and multi-track level"

Chambers and Partners (2014) - "Has a wide-ranging practice, and is known for her experience in employers' and public liability claims. She acts for both defendant and claimant clients, including trade unions, local authorities, insurers and private individuals. Expertise: "She's highly thought of by local authorities." Recent work: In Shoesmith v West Yorkshire Police she acted for the claimant, a student injured by the police response to a 'riot' at a house party.

The Legal 500 (2013) - "Catherine is recommended, and has a strong following among insurers."

Chambers and Partners (2013) - "Catherine Souter is an experienced personal injury lawyer noted for her expertise in employers' liability issues. Her clients, on both the claimant and defence side, are legion, and include corporate and insurer clients, local authorities, trade unions and the police federation. She acted on Michael Shoesmith v West Yorkshire Police, which was a PI claim against the police arising out of their handling of a student party."

Chambers and Partners (2012) -  "Catherine Souter is a popular junior for road traffic accidents and EL/PL cases."

The Legal 500 (2012) - "Catherine has "the expertise of someone who is many years above her call."

Chambers and Partners (2010) - "Catherine is "Well thought of and solicitors note that she demonstrates a 'level of skill that exceeds her call'."

Personal Injury Bar Association (PIBA); Health and Safety Lawyers Association (HSLA)

Reported Cases

Catherine has been involved in a number of high profile CICA claims.

She represented a police officer who suffered PTSD following his involvement in the Hillsborough disaster and subsequent football riots.

She succeeded in securing an award for a police officer who suffered PTSD following a fatal shooting of a colleague.

She also obtained signficant loss of earnings awards for a fireman and a train driver both unable to return to work due to psychiatric injury.

Catherine provides in-house training for a number of solicitors, local authorities and insurer clients. Recent topics include: The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013; Local Authority Litigation Update; Trials and Tribulations – Court process and procedure; Employers Liability Litigation Update; Civil Litigation Update; Maximising and Minimising Special Damages. Public Risk Management Association conference June 2016. She also undertakes in-house drafting of pleadings and advices and is happy to conduct advice days for clients.

LLB (Hons) 2:1, University of Leeds; Scholarships: Rodney Bax Award and Stuart Cunningham Macaskie KC Award