Christopher Russell

Call 1982

"A polished advocate."

Legal 500 2024

Expertise

Christopher’s particular strengths lie in claims for psychiatric damage, especially stress, bullying, abuse and harassment, and for brain and spinal injury, occupational disease, fatal claims and all types of catastrophic injury.

Notable Personal Injury cases


Donnelly v Hindhaugh & Legal and General Insurance [2017]

Unusual claim by secondary victim witnessing her mother injured in RTA. Complex medical conditions [non-organic visual loss (near total blindness) and dissociative identity disorder] attributed to legacy of PTSD. Complicated causation matrix including sexual abuse as infant, domestic stresses and school bullying. Claim for £5.5M settled at mediation for less than £1M. [Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP]


W v H [2017-ongoing]

Claim for workplace stress, victimisation and harassment made by W following his resignation from a business controlled by a family to one member of which he had been married. Claim coloured by W’s long established mental ill-health, the importation of issues arising from a bitter divorce into an employment relationship and W’s development of a new relationship with another member of staff. W’s claim allegedly tainted by fundamental dishonesty. [DAC Beachcroft LLP]


B v C [2017-ongoing]

Claim for sexual abuse of B, a vulnerable woman with learning difficulties, who had been placed in work experience by a charitable organisation to foster an earning capacity. The assault was by R, a fellow employee, and occurred in R’s flat. Issues of consent, the extent of the duty of care upon the charity and the work experience provider and vicarious liability for R. [Tollers LLP]


Seward v AGD [2017-2018]

Fatal claim arising from death of man who was the alleged “breadwinner” for two families; accordingly issues on extent of dependency and ability of deceased to provide for whom and for what period. Settled by mediation. [Gateley Plc]


AFC 1 - 21 v C [2016-ongoing]

Multi-claimant litigation for psychiatric injuries due to “non-tactile” abuse committed by housemaster/teacher at independent boarding school who filmed pupils engaged in private and sexual activities alone and with each other for his own gratification. Pupils unaware of filming but reacted adversely to disclosure of it in publicity generated by teacher’s arrest and conviction. A case seeking to push the boundaries of claims for breach of privacy and Article 8 ECHR. [Veale Wasborough Vizards LLP]


C v V [2016-ongoing]

High value claim for back injuries against personal trainer allegedly sustained in training session. C maintaining she was about to develop successful livery business and other equestrian business interests and become a world class dressage competitor. Evaluation of loss of a chance against expert evidence of international competition, costs, prize money and sponsorship opportunities and of commercial realities of making money out of equestrian activities. [Weightmans, Leicester LLP]


H & Others v T [2016-ongoing]

Multiple claims for HAVS due to use of vibrating tools in park keeping/gravedigging departments of local authority. [Kennedys LLP]


T v Birmingham NHS Trust [2016-2018]

Claim for psychiatric harm caused by alleged sexual relationship initiated and maintained by T’s treating psychotherapist. Matter made more complex by causation issues which brought T, aged 16, to psychotherapy in the first place and by a parallel claim against local authority for not removing her timeously from a grossly abusive homelife. [DAC Beachcroft LLP]


S v G [2016-2018]

Significant claim for shoulder and psychiatric injuries arising from fall at work allegedly sufficient to end her financially rewarding occupations but not sufficient to prevent her developing extensive unpaid charity interests with dogs and Eastern European good causes. [Clyde & Co/DAC Beachcroft LLP]


Lupton v Lancashire CC [2016]

Claim for injury attributed to historic sexual and physical abuse by foster parents, which local authority failed to control. Causation issues complicated by L’s previous and subsequent life experience. Settled. [Tollers LLP]


L v M [2016-ongoing]

Claim for psychiatric injury attributed to alleged workplace stress, bullying and harassment suffered by L, an English teacher employed by M. Issues of limitation, causation, foreseeability and breach of duty and contributory fault. [Berryman Lace Mawer LLP]


Re Lorraine Rawbone (Deceased) [2016]

Instructed by leading department store chain in inquest into the death of R who was found dead in the WC of its Folkestone store, having been locked in the store overnight. High degree of commercial profile sensitivity. [Kennedys]


Kosecki v Tower Bridge International [2015-2017]

High value claim for psychiatric injury by K, a high-flying city broker, who attempted suicide after alleged campaign of victimisation and racial and sexual discrimination. Problems in case multiplied by antagonism between insured and insurer. [DWF LLP]


Lloyd Owen v Spire Healthcare [2015-2016]

Claim for psychiatric injury made by senior clinical nursing assistant of the notorious breast surgeon, Ian Paterson. Lloyd Owen’s injury was allegedly due to a reaction to the investigation into her own work practices while working with Paterson prompted by concerns about Paterson’s methods and alleged serious misconduct on her part. Claim settled. [DAC Beachcroft LLP]


Senghani (Deceased) v Brent Housing Partnership [2015-2016]

Instructed by owner of tree in LB Brent which fell crushing bus stop and S. Representation at inquest and in deflecting liability onto BHP’s tree management service despite active supervision. [Berryman Lace Mawer LLP]


Grant v SOS Transport [2015-2016]

Fatal claim for mesothelioma sustained by former railway employee. Claim of unusually high level and complexity due to business interests developed in later life including property development and hotel/club businesses. [DWF LLP]


Re John Turner (Deceased) [2015]

Instructed by large farming enterprise to represent interest in inquest following death of its senior stockman who was crushed in an attack by a Limousin cow. Successfully deflected prospect of prosecution by HSE. [Langleys LLP]


Griffiths v Poole High School [2014-2016]

Claim for psychiatric injury manifesting in Body Dysmorphic Disorder arising from alleged school bullying. Liability resisted on grounds of absence of knowledge of alleged bullying and acceptable systems being in place. Issues of causation and quantum muddied by G’s dysfunctional homelife. G discontinued in week prior to trial. [Plexus Law]


McGarry-Gribbin v BUPA [2014-2016]

Claim for psychiatric injuries arising from heavy handed investigation of alleged abuse of elderly patient in care home. Liability issues on foreseeability of harm. Issues on causation and quantum complicated by M’s previous abuse, campaign to make the incident television newsworthy and M embarking on a speculative career in the pub trade. Case settled at JSM [DAC Beachcroft LLP]


R v C [2011-ongoing]

Claim for severe brain injury following RTA when R was child of 10. Difficulties compounded by Litigation Friend being wife of Defendant driver, variable levels of insight of R, unrealistic vocational expectations of R’s parents for R, cultural aspects due to strict Islamic principles of R and his family (including R’s education at a Jamiah) and allegation of indecent assault carried out by R when aged 20. [DWF LLP]

Christopher’s expertise is focused on claims arising from the management of psychiatric conditions and in the provisions of psychiatric and related services.

Notable Clinical Negligence cases


T v Birmingham NHS Trust [2016-2018]

Claim for psychiatric harm caused by alleged sexual relationship initiated and maintained by T’s treating psychotherapist. Matter made more complex by causation issues which brought T, aged 16, to psychotherapy in the first place and by a parallel claim against local authority for not removing her timeously from a grossly abusive homelife. [DAC Beachcroft LLP]


Oxley v Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust [2017-2018]

Claim by O for Trust’s failure to prevent her husband making a second (and successful) suicide bid. Contentious liability issues concerning treatment strategy of deceased while in Trust’s care. Case settled at JSM. [DAC Beachcroft LLP]

Christopher has broad experience in litigation involving defective products. Food products are a particular area of his specialism but he has also successfully managed cases about a wide range of products extending from micro scooters which amputated children’s fingers to light fittings which severely fire damaged a Vauxhall car showroom to a laptop causing extensive fire damage to a flat. He has acted for Toni & Guy in litigation about hair products used in its salons nationwide. His product liability practice and experience also includes medical products and elective plastic surgical procedures, such as breast implants and cosmetic fillers. He has had particular success in litigation about the right of restaurants to serve rare beef products.

Notable Product Liability cases


Building Product Design Ltd v DP&L Group Ltd [2017]

Claim in respect of allegedly defective modular housing unit weather protective covers. Issues of adequacy of design, fabrication and subsequent storage of units together with abuse of covers by building trades during course of construction. [Weightmans]


Multiple Claimants v S (a restaurant) [2016-ongoing]

45 claims for food poisoning at 2013 Spice Festival attributed to presence of type of Salmonella not previously known in UK. Contamination traced to curry leaves used raw in South Asian cooking. Issue in contribution claim of point of contamination and nature of warranty/implied terms in purchase of leaves from wholesaler. [Langleys LLP]


Re A (a pharmaceutical company) [2016-ongoing]

Advising in anticipated regulatory proceedings by Medicines & Healthcare Regulation Authority as to status of its product, M, and whether it is a medicine or a food supplement, the relevant regulatory framework and steps necessary for compliance with EC and UK drugs regulation. [Fladgate LLP]


Forest of Dean DC v Tomlins t/a The Country Butcher [2016-2017]

Regulatory proceedings in respect of raw meat products supplied to London restaurants in contravention of UK and EC regulations. [Maclay Murray Spens LLP]


Re B & B (a chain of restaurants) [2014-ongoing]

Advising in anticipated regulatory proceedings by Westminster CC as to its ability to serve rare and medium rare burgers. [GSC Solicitors LLP]


Westminster CC v Davys Wine Bars [2012-2014] - acting for D in regulatory proceedings brought by W

Successfully upholding its ability to serve rare and medium rare burgers. [McClure Naismith LLP]


Westminster CC v Byron Hamburgers Ltd [2012-2013]

Acting for B in regulatory proceedings brought by W; facing a challenge to its ability to serve rare and medium rare burgers. [McClure Naismith LLP]

Christopher brings sensitivity, realism and diplomacy to this area of practice, securing outstanding results by negotiation with the prosecuting authority or by engaging the tribunal with his advocacy.

Notable Health & Safety cases


R v Jamies Italian [2009] (Bath Magistrates)

Serious injury to chef; client in the public eye; priority to manage limitation of publicity (instructed by McClure Naismith).


HSE v Keen Construction [2008-2009] (Reading Crown Court)

Catastrophic injuries from fragile roof accident; Work at Height Regulations (instructed by Beachcrofts).


R v VGC & Ohers [2007-2009] (Stafford Crown Court)

Double fatality on railway (one deceased being VGCs Controller of Site Safety); successful defence of reasonable practicability to charge under S2 HSAWA (instructed by Denton Wilde Sapte).


HSE v LB Barnet & Others [2005-2007] (Central Criminal Court)

Double fatality of two boys in Hendon Police College swimming pool while engaged in police / community youth bonding programme; s.3 HSAWA (instructed by Watmores).

Privacy Policy

Christopher Russell Privacy Policy

My contact details:

ICO Reg No: Z6797972
Address: 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY
Email: clerks@2tg.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7822 1200

The type of personal information I collect

To enable me to provide you with legal advice and representation in courts, tribunals, arbitrations and mediations, I currently collect and process the following personal information:

Personal identifiers, contacts and characteristics (for example, name, date of birth and contact details), bank and financial details, your background and circumstance and education.

Other personal data relevant to, or included in instructions to provide legal services, including data specific to the instructions in question and data included in documents provided to me as part of instructions or otherwise.

Such information may include personal information relating to family members, associates, agents, employees, shareholders or beneficial owners. By providing such personal information to me, you automatically confirm that you are authorised to do so. It is not reasonably practicable for me to provide the information set out in this Privacy Notice to those individuals. Accordingly, where appropriate, you are responsible for providing this information to any such individuals.

Where necessary, I may also need to process Special Category data about you including

  • racial or ethnic origin;
  • personal data revealing political opinions;
  • personal data revealing religious or philosophical beliefs;
  • personal data revealing trade union membership;
  • genetic data;
  • biometric data (where used for identification purposes);
  • data concerning health;
  • data concerning a person’s sex life; and
  • data concerning a person’s sexual orientation.

How I get the personal information and why I have it

Most of the personal information that I process is provided to me directly by you or via the professional you have instructed such as a solicitor or consultant or other professional adviser who instructs me on your behalf to provide legal services.

I use the information that you have given me in order to

  • provide legal services to you, my client, including the provision of legal advice and
  • representation in courts, tribunals, arbitrations, and mediations
  • keep accounting records and carry out office administration
  • take or defend legal or regulatory proceedings or to exercise a lien
  • respond to potential complaints or make complaints
  • check for potential conflicts of interest in relation to future potential cases
  • promote and market my services
  • carry out anti-money laundering and terrorist financing checks
  • train other barristers and pupils, and when providing work-shadowing opportunities
  • publish legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals as required or permitted by law.

I may share this information with

  • other professional advisers such as other legal professionals and consultant experts and other witnesses
  • courts and tribunals
  • the staff in my Chambers
  • prosecution authorities
  • pupils and mini pupils
  • lay clients
  • family and associates of the person whose personal information I am processing
  • in the event of complaints, the Head of Chambers, other individuals nominated by Chambers who deal with complaints, the Bar Standards Board, and the Legal Ombudsman
  • other regulatory authorities
  • current, past or prospective employers
  • education and examining bodies
  • business associates, professional advisers and trade bodies, e.g. the Bar Council
  • professional indemnity insurers or brokers
  • the general public in relation to the publication of legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals
  • If you have engaged other professional advisers to instruct me on your behalf on the matters on which I am providing legal services to you, I shall assume that I may disclose your personal information to them unless you tell me otherwise.
  • I may be required to provide your information to regulators, such as the Bar Standards Board, the Financial Conduct Authority or the Information Commissioner’s Office. In the case of the Information Commissioner’s Office, there is a risk that your information may lawfully be disclosed by them for the purpose of any other civil or criminal proceedings, without my consent or yours, which includes privileged information.
  • I may also be required to disclose your information to the police or intelligence services, where, acting in good faith, I consider it required and permitted by law.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the lawful basis I rely on for processing this information is

  • The processing is necessary for a contract I have with you, or because you have asked me to take specific steps before entering into a contract.
  • You are able to remove your consent at any time. You can do this by contacting me.
  • It may be necessary for me to share your personal data to comply with legal obligations to, for example, HMRC.

How I store your personal information

Your information is securely stored in Chambers or at my home. I use reasonable technical and organisational security measures such as password protection and encryption of computer generated data and keeping paper data secure to prevent personal information from being accidentally lost or destroyed, or used or accessed in an unauthorised way.

In this connection, Chambers, as data processor, acting on my behalf, will only process your personal data on my instructions and is subject to a duty of confidentiality.

The data will be held in line with any regulatory obligations and generally be kept for 6 years but may be 12 years, or longer where, for example, the case includes information relating to a minor, from the date of completion of instructions. At this point any further retention will be reviewed and the data will be marked for deletion or marked for retention for a further period.

All data will be securely deleted or securely shredded after this time without reference to you. I will store some of your information which I need to carry out conflict checks for the rest of my career. However, this is likely to be limited only to your name and contact details and the name of the case. It will not include any information that is “sensitive information” for GDPR purposes.

Your data protection rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

  • Your right of access – You have the right to ask me for copies of your personal information.
  • Your right to rectification – You have the right to ask me to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask me to complete information you think is incomplete.
  • Your right to erasure – You have the right to ask me to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to restriction of processing – You have the right to ask me to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to object to processing – You have the the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to data portability – You have the right to ask that I transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.
  • You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, I have one month to respond to you. Please contact me at 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY or clerks@2tg.co.uk if you wish to make a request.

Transfer of your information outside the European Economic Area (EEA)

This privacy notice is of general application and as such it is not possible to state whether it will be necessary to transfer your information out of the EEA. If I do transfer your personal data I will use safeguards to ensure the data is fully protected as required by the UK Data Protection Regulations.

Changes to my Privacy Policy

From time to time, I may need to make chances to my privacy policy. If so, the changes will appear on my entry on the 2TG website.

Marketing

As above, I may share your personal data with Chambers who may in turn use that data to notify you by email, or post about an invitation to seminars and similar events. You may opt out of receiving any such marketing communications at any time by using the “unsubscribe” link in any emails. In relation to how Chambers uses such data, please see Chambers’ privacy policy. Other than sharing personal data with Chambers as described above, I will not share your information with any other third party for marketing purposes.

How to complain

If you have any concerns about my use of your personal information, you can make a complaint to me or to my Senior Clerk, Lee Tyler at 2 Temple Gardens, London, EC4Y 9AY or clerks@2tg.co.uk. You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

The ICO’s address:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk

© Briefed Ltd 2021. All Rights Reserved.

"A determined advocate."


Chambers UK 2023

"Has vast knowledge of subject matter and a disarming manner with opponents and judiciary, but is very tough when necessary."


Legal 500 2023

"He is meticulous and an extremely good advocate."


Chambers UK 2022

"His negotiating skills are out of this world."


Legal 500 2022

"His advocacy is outstanding."


Chambers UK 2021

  • Admitted to the Bar of the Cayman Islands (1998-)
  • Bencher of Gray’s Inn
  • Vice chair Gray’s Inn Continuing Education Committee
  • Chair Gray’s Inn Civil Advocacy Sub-Committee
  • Gray’s Inn Benchers’ Education Committee
  • Advocacy Training Council examiner
  • Gray’s Inn advocacy trainer – “A” list
  • Pupil supervisor (since 1994)

  • LLB, Exeter University

  • LCLCBA (committee)
  • PNBA
  • PIBA

Meticulous in preparation, polished advocate, skillful presentation of arguments.
Legal 500 2024

“Christopher’s skills in relation to JSMs are superb. Both in terms of his attention to detail and his negotiating skills.”
“He is a determined advocate more than able to meet client needs.”
Chambers UK 2023

“Christopher has vast knowledge of subject matter and a disarming manner with opponents and judiciary, but is very tough when necessary.”
Legal 500 2023

“He is meticulous and an extremely good advocate. He has a natural instinct about how to deal with a situation in court and knows how to adapt his style accordingly.”
Chambers UK 2022

“Preparation and attention to detail are second to none and counsel’s negotiating skills are out of this world.”
Legal 500 2022

“A very sound barrister and an excellent negotiator.” “His advocacy is outstanding and he is very careful and meticulous in his preparation.”
Chambers UK 2021

“Has forensic attention to detail and an excellent understanding of the approach to take in relation to settlement negotiations.”
Legal 500 2021

“He has excellent attention to detail, but his real skill is in negotiations and the psychology of securing the best deal for the client.” “Nothing is too difficult for him, he just rolls his sleeves up and gets on with it”
Chambers UK 2020

“Excellent advocacy skills and very good at reading judges”
Legal 500 2020

“He provides an excellent service and is very professional and courteous with clients, managing to build a good rapport with them”
Chambers UK 2019

“An excellent trial barrister who is commanding in the courtroom” “A natural advocate on his feet”
Chambers UK 2018

“Meticulous in his preparation, never fearful of being challenged on his views and an excellent team player”
Legal 500 2018

“Very intelligent, he is an excellent advocate who holds his own against any leading silk in the personal injury field”
Chambers UK 2017

“Highly recommended for abuse and stress cases.”
Legal 500 2017

“Acts for defendants across the full range of claims concerning serious psychiatric and physical injuries. He has also been instructed on cases concerning historic sexual abuse and workplace accidents”
Chambers UK 2016

“An impressive performer in court and with witnesses”
Legal 500 2016

“An excellent technical lawyer and a formidable trial advocate”
Chambers UK 2015

“Combines forensic attention to detail with excellent tactical and negotiation skills”
Legal 500 2015

“Very calm, collected, and unflappable”
Chambers UK 2014

“A highly effective advocate, who applies meticulous preparation”
Legal 500 2014

“Strong in industrial accident and occupational stress claims”
Chambers UK 2013

“Unbelievable thoroughness, grasp of the medical facts and management of clients’ expectations”
Chambers UK 2012

“Praised for his thorough preparation, attention to detail and analytical mind”
Legal 500 2012

“Quite fearless in the courtroom and willing to tackle witnesses head on whilst not being prone to unnecessary drama”
Chambers UK 2011

“An excellent negotiator”
Legal 500 2011

“Extremely effective” and “He has such an easy and beautiful manner in negotiations that you don’t realise that he is driving you down”
Chambers UK 2010

“Measured but devastating in cross-examination”
Legal 500 2010

“Knowledgeable and effective”
Legal 500 2008

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