Called 1996 
Email Stephen
Stephen is consistently recognised in the independent guides to the legal profession as a leading junior in the fields of clinical negligence and personal injury and he practices exclusively in these areas.
The independent guides describe him as "Excellent in every way”; "Highly intelligent and tactically canny" who is "a good team leader when dealing with multiple expert witnesses” and is "very good both for his courtroom skills and his ability to grasp a number of complex issues in a very short period of time."
Stephen previously served as an officer and fast-jet pilot in the Royal Air Force.
"Absolutely brilliant. He's great with clients and puts them at ease, speaking to them in a language they understand."
Chambers & Partners 2020Simply click 'Add +' on an area of expertise to add it to collate in your downloadable brochure.
Catastrophic Injuries
Stephen acts in brain injury, spinal injury and amputation cases. One of his recently completed cases was acting for a Claimant with a below knee amputation which settled at a JSM for a sum in excess of £1.7million.
Fatal Accidents Claims
Stephen is recognised as having particular skill and knowledge in cases arising out of the death of a person whether as a result of accident or clinical negligence and has been instructed in a wide variety of cases including: the death of earning and non-earning spouses and parents; where there are complex issues of income dependency arising from benefits and capital assets and where the dependency status of cohabiting dependents ae in issue.
Chronic Pain Cases
Stephen continues to be instructed by both Claimants and Defendants in chronic pain cases, whether organic or non-organic in origin and is fully conversant with the various medical issues, the necessary medical expertise and the specialist treatment options including spinal cord stimulation. He has been recognised in the independent guides to the legal profession as having particular expertise in this type of claim.
Clinical Negligence is the major part of Stephen's practice and has been for many years.
He is instructed by Claimants and Defendants and has experience of a considerable variety of clinical negligence claims routinely but not exclusively of high value and involving catastrophic injuries.
Stephen is very experienced in all aspects of clinical negligence litigation from pre letter of claim through to trial. He has wide experience of negotiating settlement at mediation or JSM and of Part 8 approval proceedings.
Chambers & Partners 2021 - Clinical Negligence - Band 2
"He has a very good eye for detail and takes a very hands-on, commercial approach to case-building." "He is always extremely well prepared and he knows his cases very well." "A very clever lawyer who is kind and thorough with clients."
Chambers & Partners 2021 - Personal Injury - Band 2
"He provides sound advice and is excellent with clients."
Legal 500 2021 - Clinical Negligence - Tier 2
‘Stephen is very forensic in his approach to cases. He is able to filter through the large volumes of information to get to the issue(s) in a case. Able to comfortably stand his ground against more senior counsel.’
Legal 500 2021 - Personal Injury - Tier 2
‘He is impressive. Attention to detail. Breadth of knowledge and ability to think on his feet. Very analytical and advice is spot on.’
Chambers & Partners 2020 - Personal Injury - Band 2
Offers a broad practice representing defendants and claimants alike. He is particularly experienced in cases concerning chronic pain, brain injury and amputation, as well as others arising in a clinical setting. He also takes on claims relating to fatal traffic accidents.
Strengths: "Absolutely brilliant. He's great with clients and puts them at ease, speaking to them in a language they understand."
Chambers & Partners 2020 - Clinical Negligence - Band 2
Handles a range of issues, with a focus on delayed diagnosis and failure to diagnose. His caseload includes complex claims concerning brain injuries and fatalities, and he boasts strong expertise covering issues surrounding informed consent.
Strengths: "He will expedite work where I need him to and is always available by email should I have quick questions." "He is always well prepared, very thorough, and delivers high-quality paperwork quickly."
Legal 500 2020 - Clinical Negligence - Tier 2
"Practice includes delayed diagnosis and surgical negligence cases."
Chambers & Partners 2019 - Personal Injury - Band 2
"Very good in high-value and complex cases. He has a good manner with clients and always gives very practical advice."
Chambers & Partners 2019 - Clinical Negligence - Band 2
"I find him methodical and accurate and I always feel incredibly confident in the advice and guidance he gives. He's approachable and is always willing to provide general advice as well as technical explanations of the law." "His paperwork is detailed and thorough and he is a persuasive advocate too."
Legal 500 2018/2019
"He has excellent technical knowledge."
Chambers & Partners 2018 - Personal Injury - Band 2
Retains a broad practice representing defendants and claimants alike. He is particularly experienced in cases concerning chronic pain, brain injury and amputation, as well as others arising in a clinical setting. He also takes on claims relating to fatal traffic accidents.
Strengths: "Excellent in every way." "He's very thorough, he gets to grips with the issues quickly and he's good with clients."
Chambers & Partners 2018 - Clinical Negligence - Band 2
Handles a range of issues, with a focus on delayed diagnosis and failures to diagnose. His caseload includes complex claims concerning brain injuries and fatalities.
Strengths: "He's technically very able and he leaves no stone unturned." "Stephen is very insightful as well as approachable. He establishes a good rapport with clients quickly and easily."
Legal 500 2017
"Highly intelligent and tactically canny."
Stephen is recognised in Chambers & Partners Guide to the Bar as a Leading Junior in personal injury litigation (Band 1).
Chambers & Partners 2017 - Clinical Negligence - Band 1
Continues to build a strong reputation for his handling of lower-value but complex cases including fatal and stillbirth claims from delayed diagnosis of medical conditions. Also advises on surgical negligence cases.
Strengths: "In conference, he is good at getting experts to answer questions in a way that is easy to understand.""He is a good team leader when dealing with multiple expert witnesses who are distresssed or upset.
Chambers & Partners 2016
Acts for both claimants and defendants in a range of cases including those concerning chronic pain, amputations, and brain and spinal injuries. Particular experience regarding claims involving military personnel, having previously served in the RAF.
Strengths: "His strengths are preparation, hard work and a good client manner. He is well respected by judges for those reasons." "He is excellent in every respect."
Chambers & Partners 2015
Adept at complex personal injury matters, with particular expertise in chronic pain cases and RTAs causing severe injuries.
Expertise: “He works very hard and will always try his best for the clients. He is widely respected by the judiciaries.” “He did an excellent job in negotiating the compensation figure and explaining that to the client.”
Chambers & Partners 2014
Specialises in complex personal injury and clinical negligence cases, acting for both claimants and defendants. He is noted both for his technical ability with particularly difficult cases and for his client manner.
Expertise: "He has a gravitas about him. He exudes experience and confidence, and he's excellent with clients." "He's very good both for his courtroom skills and his ability to grasp a number of complex issues in a very short period of time."
Chambers & Partners 2013
"a personal injury and clinical negligence specialist who handles a broad range of claims, including road traffic accidents and accidents at work."
Chambers & Partners 2012
"Stephen Friday advises defendants and claimants on a stream of chronic pain cases."
Chambers & Partners 2011
"Sources were keen to stress Stephen Friday's 'approachability and all-round excellent manner', as well as his undoubted technical skills. He handles the full spectrum of personal injury cases, including employers' liability, RTAs and fatal accidents."
Chambers & Partners 2010
"He attracted a wealth of stellar feedback from interviewees, who explained: 'He is a technically sharp and persuasive advocate in court, who will stand his ground and is difficult to defend against unless you are on your game.'"
LLB (Hons), University of East Anglia
Personal Injury Bar Association (PIBA); AvMA; Leeds Medico Legal Society
