2 Temple Gardens

+44 (0)20 7822 1200

Michael de Navarro QC

Call 1968
Silk 1990

mdn@2tg.co.uk

+44 (0)20 7822 1200

"A brilliant trial lawyer - he's fantastic on his feet"
Chambers UK 2021

"Very analytical and he leaves no stone unturned"
Chambers UK 2021

“Tough, committed to cases, and very experienced”
Legal 500 2021

“A leader in his field who inspires confidence in his clients“
Chambers UK 2020

“A very senior barrister with a lot of gravitas"
Chambers UK 2020

“Highly experienced and an extremely effective advocate”
Chambers UK 2019

“He gets straight to the nub of a problem and is excellent on his feet"
Chambers UK 2019

“Extremely experienced and very resolute. A real heavyweight”
Chambers UK 2018

“Very sharp and very switched on"
Chambers UK 2018

"A true force to be reckoned with"
Legal 500 2017

“hugely in demand”
Chambers UK

“brave, robust advice”
Chambers UK

“a brilliant cross-examiner”
Chambers UK

Practice Overview

Michael’s principal specialism is clinical negligence and, in particular, catastrophic injury cases involving children and adults with brain and spinal injuries.

Described as a “combative terrier of an advocate” (Chambers UK), he is a tenacious litigator sought out by clients who know the steel beneath his charming and immensely civil approach. He is also highly valued for his advice and negotiating skills in achieving sensible litigation – risk settlements.

He is described as “a brilliant cross-examiner.” As one solicitor stated, “there is no one that I would rather have onside when contesting liability” (Chambers UK). “His ‘vast experience’ means he is ‘fantastic for complex cases involving large numbers of experts and witnesses.'” (Legal 500).

Michael is frequently instructed for defendants, including the NHSLA. He is also instructed for claimants.

Michael also has considerable experience of personal injury, professional negligence, insurance and health and safety at work.

Michael is rated Band 1 in Chambers UK and Band 2 in the Legal 500.

Cases have involved issues arising from neonatal hypoglycaemia and PVL, prematurity and steroids, IUGR, neonatal meningitis, resuscitation and necrotising enterocolitis, neonatal and adult hydrocephalus, posterior cerebral artery compression after head injury, raised intracranial pressure after shunt revision, basiliar artery thrombosis, failure to detect exstrophic bladder on routine antenatal anomaly scan, tetraplegia following spinal scoliosis surgery, kernicterus, spinal tumour caused by spinal TB, pituitary tumour, cardiac arrest after anaesthetic, pre-eclampsia and cerebral haemorrhage, liability for suicide attempts after failure to admit patient with borderline personality disorder and history of self-harm, cerebral palsy as a result of birth asphyxia, and a number of cases of cerebral palsy with retained intellect raising limitation issues; also various points of principle re quantum, e.g. life expectancy, recoverability of investment management charges and when periodical payments are reasonably secure.

Michael is rated as a Leading Silk in Legal 500. Cases involving traumatic brain and spinal injury, including road traffic, employer’s and public liability and cases under the Animals Act.

Cases involving valuers’ and solicitors’ negligence, breach of fiduciary duty by solicitor, and a dispute between PCT and nursing agency as to construction of indemnity under contract for provision of professional services.

Michael is rated as a Leading Silk in Legal 500. Cases involving construction sites including defending designers of Severn bridge maintenance gantries, main contractors in retained façade building collapse and insurers who provided a periodic examination of window cleaning cradles.

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