Chris Gutteridge
Practice
The focus of Chris’ practice is personal injury litigation. He is more regularly instructed for claimants (and is happy to accept instructions on a CFA basis) but undertakes a significant amount of defence work.
Chris maintains high service standards throughout his work. His practice is built on good relationships with solicitors, quick turnaround of paperwork, flexibility in addressing case management issues and determined court advocacy.
Chris is a member of PIBA and UKABIF. He is always happy to deliver seminars in legal developments, practice and procedure (either at Chambers or elsewhere)
Fast Track
Chris has a busy Fast Track practice, both in terms of advocacy and paperwork (he aims to complete advisory work and drafting within 7 days of being instructed and frequently does so sooner).
Multi Track
Chris also has a thriving Multi-Track practice which encompasses advisory work, drafting and court appearances on serious injury claims (worth between £25,000 and £250,000) as well as regularly dealing with cases involving catastrophic injuries. He has a particular interest in cases involving life-changing injuries and has been led numerous times by more senior members and silks from Chambers’ PI team. Chris has experience of drafting multi-million pound schedules of past and future losses in cases involving amputation, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury as well as representing severely injured claimants at joint settlement meetings.
Work Undertaken
Chris’ experience includes:
· Advising on liability, quantum and procedure
· Drafting statements of case and schedules of loss
· Pre-trial hearings and applications
· Trials
· Disposal hearings
· Appeals
· Costs litigation
· Credit hire litigation (acting for claimants and defendants)
· Coroner’s inquests, representing families of the deceased interested in
pursuing Fatal Accidents Act claims; interested insurers; and other parties
involved in accidents resulting in a fatality. Chris regularly appears at
inquests touching on deaths caused by mesothelioma and other
asbestos-related illnesses
· Fatal accidents (advising on liability and drafting schedules of loss)
· CICA appeals (on eligibility and award), including cases of very serious injury
· Clinical negligence (advising on liability and quantum)
Case Studies
Mrs. X
A 77 year old lady had been involved in a road traffic accident a pedestrian and sustained very serious injuries to the head (with traumatic brain injury), knee (significantly impairing her mobility) and abdomen. She had, in fact, made a remarkable recovery and was determined not to let her injuries dominate her life. A very comprehensive schedule of loss was drafted and at a difficult joint settlement meeting a settlement of nearly £250,000 was negotiated.
Mr. Y
A 36 year old man had lost his left leg as a result of a crush injury. Particularly complicated issues involving future care needs were addressed with experts in conference before evidence was finalised and a multi-million pound schedule of loss was drafted. At joint settlement meeting the claim was settled for £1.6 million (after a 10% discount) - led by Amanda Yip QC.
Miss Z
More than 8 years’ worth of documentary and expert evidence regarding losses flowing from a severe brain injury was drawn together in preparation of a schedule of loss in excess of £2million. The case was eventually settled (by Mrs. Amanda Yip QC) for £1million (after a 25% discount).
