Jim is a highly respected personal injury law barrister with particular expertise in occupational disease and military claims. He is ranked in the both Legal 500 (Tier 1) and Chambers &amp; Partners legal directories for his expertise in Personal Injury law, and recognised nationally in Chambers &amp; Partners for his specialism in Industrial Disease.His practice spans all areas of personal injury work, including employers liability and complex cases involving military personnel. Jim's unique insight into military claims comes from his decade-long service as a Major in the Royal Marines Commandos, an experience that proves invaluable in military cases and indeed any situation involving employer-employee relationships.He has served on the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel but has chosen to let it lapse in the near future. As such, he has represented a variety of public bodies in personal injury matters, often including the Ministry of Defence. He also coordinates the Industrial Disease Group within chambers, providing training and support to instructing solicitors.Jim enjoys building strong, effective partnerships with both solicitors and clients. He is known for his practical application of the law, tailored to the unique circumstances of each case, consistently achieving excellent results. This approach has made him a favoured choice of counsel among both claimants and defendants, appreciated for his ability to clearly communicate and strategies for the best possible outcomes.Embracing modern technology, Jim has maintained a paperless working environment for many years, favouring the efficiency and accessibility of electronic document handling.Outside Chambers, Jim leads an active lifestyle. He has completed four Ironman triathlons and stays busy with his family and his enthusiastic black Labrador, Chief.Jim maintains his own website – <a href="https://www.jimhester.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jimhester.me</a> - which he keeps up-to-date with relevant articles, a directory of useful Judgments and other resources and a newsletter of the latest developments for busy personal injury law practitioners.

Charlotte is a specialist in family law children matters. She has a wealth of experience in calmly navigating clients through stressful and difficult cases in all levels of the Family Court, from Magistrates to the Court of Appeal. She is known for her meticulous preparation, sound advice and approachability. She prides herself on securing the best achievable outcome for her clients.Charlotte accepts instructions in both public law and private law cases, having a strong reputation in both fields. More recently, Charlotte has focussed on complex private law cases, particularly those involving allegations of serious domestic abuse, coercive controlling behaviour and parental alienation. Charlotte’s strong public law background is particularly useful in private law cases which straddle public law issues, involve medical evidence, require fact-finding hearings, involve expert witnesses and in the representation of children/their rule 16.4 children’s guardians. Charlotte welcomes cases issued under the West Yorkshire Pathfinder Pilot.

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 <em>'very pragmatic in her advice and pleadings which helps to cut through a lot of the complexities of medical negligence'. </em>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.&nbsp;<!--EndFragment-->

Tim joined Parklane Plowden Chambers in 2009, having previously worked for leading firms of solicitors in London and Yorkshire. He now specialises in employment law, representing clients in tribunals across the country.  Tim regularly receives repeat instructions, with solicitors and clients praising his professionalism, determination and client-focused approach.Tim was re-appointed to the Regional Treasury Panel as junior Counsel to the Crown in 2023, and is now Panel A.Tim’s employment practice centres on multi-day and multi-week hearings in a wide variety of cases. Tim has extensive experience of working with a wide variety of respondent clients, both private and public.  He regularly acts for NHS bodies, which sits well alongside his treasury panel practice.Recent cases in the Employment Tribunal include three weeks acting for the NHS in a claim of disability and age discrimination and appearing for a government body in a lengthy hearing involving claims of discrimination and victimisation.  Tim has also appeared in the Employment Appeal Tribunal on numerous occasions.Tim is able to accept instructions on a direct access basis.Twitter: @TimJWilkoLinkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-wilkinson-7045488a/">Tim Wilkinson</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Andrew successfully completed pupillage under the supervision of Philip Kramer and Seamus Sweeney. Andrew was appointed Treasury Counsel in November 2015.

Leila is a specialist in Clinical Negligence, Serious Injury and Inquests.Ranked as a leading junior in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for Clinical Negligence and Inquests and Inquiries, she represents both Claimants and Defendants which include private clients, public authorities and government departments.“<em>Leila has an excellent, tactical and pragmatic approach to litigation. She is wonderful with clients and puts them at ease” [Legal 500, 2025]</em>“<em>Leila instils huge confidence and is caring and empathetic, which is exactly what you need in difficult cases working for bereaved families” [Chambers and Partners, 2025]</em>“<em>Her expertise in inquests and inquiries feeds into her strong clinical negligence practice. Her work covers obstetrics and birth injury cases, delayed treatment and diagnosis and surgical negligence</em>”<em> [Chambers and Partners, 2024]</em>“<em>Leila is excellent with clients and her advice is thorough. Her advocacy is excellent. She offers very high levels of service and ensures her advice is given in a timely manner</em>” <em>[Chambers and Partners, 2023]</em>Leila has a special interest in coronial law and is appointed as Assistant Coroner in two coronial areas and is Head of the Inquests Team at Parklane Plowden.“<em>Leila Benyounes is extremely assured and very well respected in inquests. As an assistant coroner, she also brings that specialist insight and knowledge to the case” [Chambers and Partners, 2025]</em>“<em>Leila is well versed in coronial law, and her experience is such that she easily engenders the confidence of the tribunal, be that the presiding coroner of the jury. She is always on top of her brief, and has a strong but measured and pragmatic approach to her advocacy</em>” <em>[Legal 500, 2023]</em>Leila regularly acts for interested persons in high profile, media sensitive Article 2 jury inquests.“<em>Leila is a real asset to her Chambers. She is fantastic with the client and families, dealing with inquests in a very sensitive and understanding way” [Chambers and Partners 2025]</em>“<em>Leila Benyounes leads the inquest group in chambers. As a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel, she is frequently sought after to handle Article 2 jury inquests, particularly those arising from hospital deaths or involving sensitive mental health issues</em>” <em>[Chambers and Partners, 2023]</em>Leila is a skilled advocate. She is meticulous and strategic in her approach to obtain the best results for her clients:“<em>Leila is an excellent tactician. She has great technical knowledge and brilliant client care skills”</em> <em>[Legal 500, 2023]</em>“She is extremely well organised, extremely thorough and will explore every area of a case. She is responsive, attentive, and a fantastic communicator”<em> [Chambers and Partners, 2022]</em><em>“She does not back down in the face of adversity. She is extremely approachable and makes those that she is working with, whether it be those instructing, the expert or the client, feel at ease” [Legal 500, 2021]</em>Leila is appointed as a Recorder in Crime on the North Eastern CircuitLeila has been appointed to the Attorney General’s Treasury Counsel Panel A since 2010 and was re-appointed for a further 5-year term in 2021.Leila was President of the Leeds and District Medico-Legal Society from 2015-16 and 2018-20 and remained an active member of the Society’s committee until 2025.Leila is a freelance tutor on the Bar Course at BPP Law School in Leeds. She is also a tutor to medical students on the Medical Ethics module at the University of Leeds.Leila is a keen runner and has participated in a number of races to raise money for charity. She regularly takes part in the Great North Run, fundraising for Diabetes UK and Bowel Cancer UK. In October 2021 she took part in the London Marathon raising money for a Yorkshire charity which helps to support children with severe disabilities, PhysCap. She took part in the Leeds Half Marathon in May 2024 held in support of the MND Association, the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and Leeds Hospitals Charity. In April 2025 she is took part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for the Child Brain Injury Trust.

Richard is a barrister with experience on both sides of the profession spanning over 20 years, having trained and qualified as a solicitor at a leading City law firm and then transferring to the bar in 2014; this gives him an unique insight into the litigation process, enabling him to support lay and professional clients at every stage. He is described in the leading legal directories as an "accomplished advocate" (Legal500) who provides "pragmatic and commercial advice" (Chambers &amp; Partners).Richard has progressed his career at the bar by developing a busy and broad <strong>civil and commercial practice</strong>, within Chambers' areas of expertise but with a particular emphasis on: <ul> <li><strong>Employment</strong> (across the whole spectrum of claims, whether in the tribunal or civil courts, commensurate with his previous experience as an employment solicitor and including any day-to-day HR support or more generally strategic or policy advice on complex/sensitive/high value matters, particularly with a discrimination element);</li> <li><strong>Internal investigations/Regulatory proceedings </strong>(including as an adviser to internal disciplinary panels, DBS appeals, or representing individuals before their professional body, including in the sports, medicine or accountancy sectors);</li> <li><strong>Education </strong>(including special education provision, disability-related access/needs, attending SEND tribunals, etc);</li> <li><strong>Personal Injury/Human Rights/negligence</strong> (including employer and public liability claims in the employment context, such as work-place related stress and harassment claims; he also acts on behalf of government departments and agencies, dealing with all types of private law claims based on the the state's duty of care, ranging from prisoner assault/negligence claims, to privacy and confidentiality); and</li> <li><strong>Inquests</strong> (notably with a professional discipline element, but also inquests involving deaths in state detention / the community  - and the regulatory, civil or public law proceedings that can sometimes follow).</li> </ul> &nbsp;He has a nationwide practice and is happy to travel beyond Circuit particularly for multi-day cases or to accommodate client needs.Richard has a down-to-earth approach and can give robust and realistic advice, whilst not losing sight of points of principle.He is also qualified to accept instructions on a direct access basis, allowing him to act for individuals who are offered settlement agreements.Richard is a member<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> of the Attorney General's regional panel of junior Counsel to the Crown and regularly acts for a variety of government departments and agencies including the Ministry of Justice, HMPPS (the Prison and Probation Service), the DWP and HMRC. </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">His sports practice is focused on contractual and regulatory disputes, as well as employment-related advice and litigation.</span>

An outstanding advocate with a reputation for all-round excellence, Roger has been recognised by the guides to the profession for many years. Popular with clients and respected by judges, his common-sense approach, strategic thinking and dedication to the cause make him a firm favourite with the UK’s leading law firms.

Stuart is the Head of the Civil Team at Parklane Plowden and sits as a Recorder and a Deputy District Judge on the North Eastern Circuit.He is also the elected Personal Injury Bar Association representative for Circuit and sits on the Executive Committee at national level.Stuart is a specialist in high value, complex clinical negligence and personal injury disputes.Stuart is instructed by leading personal injury, abuse and clinical negligence solicitors with a national reputation, undertaking both Claimant and Defendant work.Stuart is, “<strong><em>great with clients and has great communication skills,”</em></strong><em> </em><strong> </strong>[<em>Chambers and Partners</em>, 2021]Stuart, “<strong><em>pays high attention to detail and works through issues in a very logical and clear</em> <em>manner</em>”</strong> [<em>Legal 500</em>, 2021]The <em>Legal 500</em> [2021] states that Stuart, “<strong><em>always provides top quality, down-to-earth advice in the field of PI and medical</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>negligence</em></strong><strong>”</strong><em>Chambers and Partners</em> [2019] finds, <strong><em>“His level of service, willingness to help and general competence is above reproach – he is excellent all round.”</em></strong>In clinical negligence Stuart is particularly experienced in claims involving delay in diagnosis of cancer or sepsis, brain injury and those resulting in death, fatal accident dependency claims.In personal injury his particular specialisms are in claims under the Animals Act 1971, accidents at work, road traffic accidents and those involving a human rights element.In clinical negligence it is noted that Stuart, “<strong><em>is able to identify the key issues quickly and identify a clear direction the case needs to take”</em></strong><strong> </strong>[<em>Legal 500</em>, 2021]Stuart’s specialism in hybrid common law and Human Rights Act claims is complemented by his prior experience of undertaking local authority child protection cases earlier in his career in him now undertaking claims made on behalf of children or adults that have suffered serious physical, sexual or emotional abuse.Stuart acts for, “<strong><em>both claimants and defendants in complex personal injury cases. He regularly acts for clients with life-altering injuries arising from accidents at work as well as serious traffic accidents</em></strong>” [<em>Chambers &amp; Partners</em>, 2020].It is noted that Stuart, <em>“</em><strong><em>Performs impressively in joint settlement meetings.</em></strong><em>”</em><em> </em>[<em>Legal 500</em>, 2020]Recent cases include:<em>M. (a protected party) v Strainge</em>– approved settlement of £2,500,000 in a claim by a profoundly injured motorist who had suffered brain damage and with liability in dispute.<em>DC on behalf of RH, deceased</em> – High value clinical negligence claim heard at trial in the High Court and involving death following delay in the diagnosis of cervical cancer.<em>GXM on behalf of JXM, a protected party</em> – Approval of settlement before HHJ Mark Gargan, in a claim for the delay in diagnosis of sepsis, breach of duty and causation disputed throughout contested proceedings.

Catherine joined Park Lane Chambers in 2002. Since then her expertise in each of her specialist areas of work has flourished.Catherine acts for clients from a wide range of sectors including Local Authorities, Insurers, Multi-National retailers, Engineering and Manufacturing companies as well as smaller, local corporate bodies.She also acts for members of most major Trade Unions including Unison, the Police Federation, the NASUWT, the GMB, the FBU, the RMT and the National Cyclist's Union.She has a dedicated client following and an extremely busy court practice. She drafts pleadings, including schedules and counter schedules and advises on liability, tactics and quantum in cases of all severity.She is regularly instructed in cases worth in excess of £250k and those arising out of fatal accidents. She has conferences with clients and experts in cases involving life changing injuries, chronic pain conditions and significant psychiatric injury.Catherine is part of the Education team and is keen to develop her practice in this area.Catherine is happy to accept instructions on behalf of local authorities, governing bodies of all schools, colleges, universities, and individuals.Catherine is endorsed by all of the major legal directories, most recently in Chambers and Partners 2017. The Legal 500 observes that she has the expertise of someone who is many years above her call.