2 Temple Gardens

+44 (0)20 7822 1200

Martin Porter QC (Head of Chambers)

Call 1986
Silk 2006

mporter@2tg.co.uk

+44 (0)20 7822 1200

"A brilliant barrister"
Chambers UK 2020

"enormously experienced and has a lot of gravitas. He's someone you listen to"
Chambers UK 2020

“a no-nonsense performer who gets quickly to the point”
Legal 500 2020

“a go-to counsel for high-value or difficult liability cycling cases”
Chambers UK 2019

“Calm, analytical and extremely well prepared”
Chambers UK 2019

“A brilliant advocate who gets to the issues very quickly”
Chambers UK 2018

“A fount of knowledge for cycling incident cases”
Chambers UK 2018

"gives people a great feeling of confidence"
Chambers UK 2017

"His client care is excellent"
Legal 500 2017

"brings confidence and the gravitas without being overbearing"
Chambers UK 2016

"An excellent advocate"
Legal 500 2016

Practice Overview

“Extremely efficient and pragmatic”, Martin is a leading personal injury specialist with particular experience of clinical negligence, industrial disease, brain damage, psychiatric injury and all sports-related litigation (particularly involving cycling). He is described by Chambers UK and the Legal 500 as a leading personal injury and clinical negligence barrister.

Martin also has considerable experience of professional negligence (especially of solicitors and surveyors), insurance work and public law/human rights

Martin broadcasts and writes frequently, including for BBC’s Law in Action, The Times Law Section, New Law Journal, All England Opinion and BBC radio. He has been a member of the Western Circuit since 1987 and appears regularly on all circuits.

Martin was elected as Head of Chambers in July 2019.

Martin regularly appears in complex clinical negligence actions, most frequently for the defendant. He is recommended by Legal 500 as a leading clinical negligence Silk with the comment that he is “a regular fixture” in the appellate courts, and by Chambers UK as bright and adaptable in defending negligent surgery claims.

Martin also has extensive experience of appearing before the GMC Professional Conduct Committee and advising doctors and dentists facing disciplinary proceedings. He has been appointed a Legal Assessor by the GMC.

A leading personal injury silk with particular experience of high value brain damage cases and industrial disease. With his professional performance noted by the directories for over 10 years, Martin was, for example, complimented on his “amazing capacity to absorb huge amounts of background information”. He has a particular interest in cycling and other sports-related claims.

Martin has extensive exposure of product liability work particularly in relation to bicycles or other mechanical equipment.

Public law and Judicial Review with particular interest in the liability of public bodies when exercising their statutory functions with expert experience in all cycling related public law matters.

Martin has broad experience of sport-related personal injury claims. He also has specialised knowledge of sports regulation in relation to cycling and in the application statute law relating to cycling accidents, in particular, the wearing of helmets and liability.

In the last two years he has acted for national sporting bodies, sports clubs, individuals organising sports events and people injured whilst playing or participating.

Martin himself competed regularly in cycling road races for many years.

Brazier v Surrey County Council [2019] High Court. Fatal cycling claim

Summers v Richmond LBC (2018) Admin Court. Challenge to Public Spaces Protection Orders.

Warren v Harvey [2016] Court of Appeal of Bermuda. (Appropriate discount rate.)

Lillington v Dr Ansell (2016) High Court. Successful defence of GP in a hyponatremia case.

FB v Dr Rana (2015) High Court (Successful defence of GP in a meningitis case)

Chief Constable of Hampshire v Southampton City Council (2014) Court of Appeal. (Limitation in contribution claims)

Downing v Peterborough & Stamford Hospitals NHS Trust (2014) High Court. (Quantum trial. Multimillion claim for a severe pain disorder)

Powell v Ridgeback Bicycles (2013) County Court. (Product Liability. Successful claim acting on behalf of cyclist who sustained injury when his mountain bike collapsed)

Lay v Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust & Shair (2013) High Court (injury at work complicated by poor surgery)

Bowden v Homerton Hospital (2012) Court of Appeal. (Liver disease induced by drug therapy)

Spradbury v Humber Mental Health Trust (2011) High Court. (Observations of voluntary hospital patient.)

Green v Sunset & Vine (2010) Court of Appeal. (Motorsport.)

Ferguson v British Gas (2009) Court of Appeal. (Protection from harassment.)

Slevin v Bennetts (2008) Court of Appeal. (Display Screen Equipment Regulations.)

Norman v Peterborough Hospital Trust (2008) (Late diagnosis of breast cancer.)

Brazier v Wolverhampton (2007) Court of Appeal. (Loss of future earnings and sick pay.)

Conn v Sunderland City Council (2007) Court of Appeal. (What constitutes harassment?)

Daw v Intel (2007) Court of Appeal. (Stress at work claim.)

Smith v Southampton Universities NHS Trust (2007) Court of Appeal. (Standard of duty of a surgeon.)

Corbett v South Yorkshire HA (2007) High Court. (Indexation of periodical payments and impact of Working Time Regs on care regimes.)

Purver v Winchester & Eastleigh NHS Trust (2006) High Court.

Keown v Coventry Healthcare NHS Trust (2006) (Duty of care owed by hospital to child trespasser.)

Aer Lingus v Gildacroft (2006) (Limitation period in Contribution Act claims.)

Thompson v Butler (2005) Court of Appeal. (Brain damage following a whiplash injury.)

Sheldon-Green v Coventry NHS Trust [2004] High Court. (Cord prolapse case for NHSLA.)

Elmes v Hygrade Food Products Ltd [2001] EWCA CIV 121 Court of Appeal. (Service of Claim Form.)

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