Sophie is a specialist employment and personal injury barrister.She is recommended in Chambers and Partners and the <em>Legal 500</em> for employment law.The guides describe her as <em>"everything one wants in a barrister" </em>and <em>"incredibly bright".</em>She is a member of Parklane Plowden's equality and diversity committee.Sophie volunteers for the Employment Tribunal Litigant in Person Support Scheme (ELIPS).In her spare time, she enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding and craft beer.&nbsp;

Iain is a specialist children practitioner. His practice encompasses all aspects of the law relating to children, including public and private law proceedings, adoption and cases with an international element. Iain has a reputation as particularly adept in complex cases of abuse and serious harm.  He is regularly instructed as a junior to leading counsel as well as in his own right in both Family Court and High Court proceedings, including those involving serious physical abuse, sexual abuse, non-accidental injury (including head injuries), fabricated and induced Illness (FII), secure accommodation and chronic neglect.Iain is well respected by his peers and prides himself on his approachability. He has a reputation for building a good rapport with clients and is able to be personable, but professional, with lay clients. He has a wealth of experience in dealing with cases involving parents with mental health difficulties, capacity issues and learning difficulties.<strong>Chambers and Partners UK Bar:</strong><strong>2025 – Band 2:</strong>"An exceptionally good barrister. He is dedicated and hard-working and has excellent communication skills. He has a very high level of knowledge and expertise and relishes challenges.""A skilful and diligent advocate.""Iain is an excellent advocate and provides an exceptional level of client service."<strong>2024 – Band 3:</strong>"Iain is a committed barrister with great client care skills.""He is excellent with clients. His advocacy is clear and precise.""He's hard-working, smart, has good people skills and a good eye for the evidential detail."<strong>2023</strong>:"Iain fully commits to the case he is involved in and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcome. He is a pleasure to instruct.""Iain is great at collaborating with instructing solicitors, he makes every effort to achieve the outcome instructed and has a highly effective manner with clients and opposite advocates.""Iain is excellent. He has taken on cases and managed matters which are incredibly complex with a maturity far beyond his years. His advocacy skills are great, and he is very well thought of by the judiciary."<strong>The Legal 500:</strong><strong>2025: Leading Juniors: Child Law (Public and Private) Tier 2:</strong> "His advocacy is well-targeted and effective, and he is thorough, well-prepared, and considered in his approach to cases."<strong>2024: Leading Juniors: Child Law (Public and Private) Tier 2:</strong> "Iain is extremely professional in his style and ability to put anxious clients at ease. His advocacy is always measured and focused."<strong>2023: Leading Juniors: Child Law (Public and Private) Tier 3:</strong> "Iain is a confident barrister, unfazed by appearing against senior silks in a case. He has superb analytical skills."<strong>2022</strong>: <strong>Leading Juniors: Child Law (Public and Private):</strong> "Very hardworking, approachable, and able to explain a situation in a calm and focused way to lay and professional clients."

<p style="text-align: left;">Abigail has a busy personal injury, clinical negligence and inquests practice and is regularly instructed both to advise and attend hearings. She also regularly attends mediations and settlement meetings.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Abigail is a confident advocate, appearing regularly in both the civil courts and coroners court, and this is an aspect of her practice that she takes particular pleasure in.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Abigail has a particular interest in complex cases, for example, those involving extensive therapy and accommodation needs. Abigail enjoys working as part of a team, problem solving and analysing large volumes of evidence. She was recently brought in to work with a senior colleague on a complex clinical negligence case involving life-changing injuries to a child in which the capitalised value of the settlement exceeded £13 million.</p> Abigail enjoys a difficult and technical argument. As a result, she enjoys working on appeals and has appeared in the Supreme Court twice: <ul> <li>Edwards (on behalf of the estate of the late Arthur Watkins) v Hugh James Ford Simey Solicitors [2019] UKSC 132, a case concerning the correct date for assessment of damages in professional negligence claims.</li> <li>Barton v Wright Hassall [2018] UKSC 12 a case involving issues regarding compliance with civil procedure rules, service and litigants in person.</li> </ul> &nbsp; <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recommendations</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Shortlisted for the Legal 500 Clinical Negligence Junior Barrister of the Year 2024</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em>'She has a formidable grasp of detail and regularly identifies points that can turn a claim around. A very insightful barrister, whose manner with clients is particularly helpful as she explains complicated areas of law with patience and compassion. Her advocacy is both forceful and helpful to the court. She is experienced beyond her years.'</em> The Legal 500 (2025), Tier 1, Clinical Negligence</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em>'A junior who is brilliant with clients. When she speaks, people listen'.</em> The Legal 500 (2025), Band 1, Inquests and Inquiries</p> <p style="text-align: left;">'<em>A junior who provides high quality and pragmatic advice to clients</em>'. The Legal 500 (2025), Personal Injury</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em>'A fearless junior, unusually diligent and has excellent judgement. Her advocacy is very persuasive</em>.<em>'</em>  The Legal 500 (2024), Clinical Negligence</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em>'A fearless and highly intellectual barrister</em>.<em>'</em> The Legal 500 (2024), Inquests and Inquiries</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em>'Abigail is an industrious junior, who is very good in conference with clients and experts. Her advice is always clear</em>.<em>'</em> The Legal 500 (2024), Personal Injury</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em>'Abigail is excellent, thorough, and has a great ability to engage with clients. She can also dilute complicated cases.'</em> Chambers &amp; Partners (2024)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em>'Abigail is an up-and-coming star: very impressive quality of work and dedication as well as being knowledgeable and very personable.' </em>Chambers &amp; Partners (2024)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em>'She is very bright and well informed, and great at cross examination.' </em>Chambers &amp; Partners (2024)</p> &nbsp; <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Teams</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Abigail is an active member of the serious injury, clinical negligence and inquest teams in chambers. She</span> regularly gives seminars and talks regarding topics touching on all areas of her practice. Abigail also attends and organises events relating to pupillage with Parklane Plowden.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Abigail is a committee member of the Leeds &amp; District Medico-Legal Society.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Abigail is a member of the Parklane Plowden Pupillage Committee and leads the recruitment of civil pupils.</span></p>

Anna is a specialist Clinical Negligence and Court of Protection barrister. In 2020 she was appointed as a Fee-Paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal, assigned to Health Education and Social Care (Special Educational Needs and Disability).She is recommended as a leading barrister by the Legal 500 for Clinical Negligence. The guide describes her as <em>'very pragmatic in her advice and pleadings which helps to cut through a lot of the complexities of medical negligence'. </em>Anna prides herself on being approachable and she is able to work collaboratively with solicitors to assist at all stages of proceedings. She is able to quickly build a good rapport with lay and professional clients and give straightforward advice in complex cases. Anna aims to return paperwork promptly, whilst giving detailed and focused advice.Since 2019 Anna has been a tutor on the medical ethics module for University of Leeds medical students.Anna is the Vice President of the Leeds and District Medico-Legal Society.Anna is the head of Chambers Clinical Negligence Team.&nbsp;<!--EndFragment-->

<p style="text-align: justify;">Simon is a specialist Family (children) and Court of Protection barrister. In 2020 he was appointed to be a Recorder sitting in the Family Court on the North Eastern Circuit.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Simon prides himself on ensuring that he builds a good rapport with clients whilst giving firm and frank advice. He is keen to be approachable to lay and professional clients alike and has established a reputation for his forensic approach - focussing on the key issues in the case in order to achieve the best results possible, whether in advice, negotiations with other parties or presenting a case in court.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Simon has been recommended in both Chambers &amp; Partners and the Legal 500 as a Leading Individual for both his Family and Court of Protection work. He has a keen interest in cases involving a crossover between the two jurisdictions and a particular grasp of issues surrounding children and young people and deprivation of liberty, regularly being instructed to represent children and local authorities in cases in the High Court invoking the inherent jurisdiction or where there is a cross-over between the Family Court and the Court of Protection.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">He is happy to get involved in cases from the outset and advise on case management issues at the start of a case. At final hearings he ensures that he thoroughly prepared with a good grasp of the evidence at his fingertips.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Simon has had multiple articles published in Jordan's Family Law Journal (the publication of record for family practitioners) and in 2022 joined the editorial team of Butterworths Family Law Service (published by LexisNexis UK).</p>

<span lang="EN-US">Jim exclusively specialises in Personal Injury work.  A large part of his practice is dedicated to Industrial Disease, where he is nationally recognised.  He also maintains </span>a very busy Employer's Liability practice, alongside other areas of personal injury work.Jim focusses on providing timely, practical expertise in all cases he is instructed in, and enjoys working with solicitors to achieve the best possible outcome for clients.Jim acts in all areas of Personal Injury work including niche fields such as: accidents involving military personnel (whether caused as a result of their service or in other settings) drawing upon his 10-years experience as a Major in the Royal Marines Commandos prior to joining the Bar; and in relation to accidents which take place at sea.Jim's previous military service and resulting practical experience are invaluable when assessing the merits of any case he is instructed in.<span lang="EN-US">He is appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel and is regularly instructed to advise and appear on behalf of public bodies particularly in relation to Industrial Disease and military matters.</span>Jim is the co-ordinator of Chambers' Industrial Disease Group, and so can be contacted regarding any opportunities for training or assistance that instructing solicitors may wish to discuss.Jim also maintains an <a href="https://jimhester.me" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Industrial Disease website</a> - providing updates relevant to Industrial Disease practitioners, as well as articles of interest and a library of useful documents.Jim has been working 'paperless' for many years and so welcomes receiving papers via electronic means.<span lang="EN-US">Outside of Chambers, Jim is kept busy by a young family, triathlon training (having now completed four 'Ironman' triathlons) and a very enthusiastic black Labrador - Chief.</span>

Bryony successfully completed her pupillage in Chambers in October 2009 under the supervision of Philip Kramer (now a full time District Judge and Recorder) and Christopher Williams. Since then she has cultivated a practice in the fields of Employment, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence accepting instructions locally and in courts and tribunals across the country. Bryony has an extensive paperwork practice and is happy to provide advice or pleadings on an urgent basis. She has been praised by solicitors and clients as being responsive and down to earth.

Tim joined Parklane Plowden Chambers in 2009, having previously worked for leading firms of solicitors in London and Yorkshire.  He now specialises in employment, personal injury and clinical negligence.  He represents clients in courts and tribunals across the country.  Tim regularly receives repeat instructions, with solicitors and clients praising his professionalism, determination and client-focused approach.Tim was appointed to the Regional Treasury Panel as junior Counsel to the Crown in 2018.In his employment work, Tim's practice centres on multi-day hearings in a wide variety of cases, before Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal.  Recent cases include the defence of a claim for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal.  He is well-versed in CVP hearings and how to successfully manage clients and witnesses through the process.Tim continues to act in fast-track and multi-track personal injury cases, including those involving allegations of dishonesty and exaggeration.  He advises on high-value claims, including a recent multi-million pound settlement for a claimant who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a head-on collision; a fatal accident case involving a military vehicle; and a PL accident which resulted in significant leg fractures that curtailed the claimant's working capacity.  Tim is routinely instructed in JSMs in such matters.Tim is able to accept instructions on a direct access basis.Twitter: @TimJWilkoLinkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-wilkinson-7045488a/">Tim Wilkinson</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Andrew successfully completed pupillage under the supervision of Philip Kramer and Seamus Sweeney. Andrew was appointed Treasury Counsel in November 2015.

Leila is a specialist in Clinical Negligence, Serious Injury and Inquests.Ranked as a leading junior in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for Clinical Negligence and Inquests and Inquiries, she represents both Claimants and Defendants which include private clients, public authorities and government departments.“<em>Her expertise in inquests and inquiries feeds into her strong clinical negligence practice. Her work covers obstetrics and birth injury cases, delayed treatment and diagnosis and surgical negligence</em>” [<em>Chambers and Partners, 2024</em>]Leila has a special interest in coronial law and is appointed as an Assistant Coroner in two coronial areas and is Head of the Inquests Team at Parklane Plowden.“<em>Leila is well versed in coronial law, and her experience is such that she easily engenders the confidence of the tribunal, be that the presiding coroner of the jury. She is always on top of her brief, and has a strong but measured and pragmatic approach to her advocacy</em>” [<em>Legal 500, 2023</em>]Leila regularly acts for interested persons in high profile, media sensitive Article 2 jury inquests.“<em>Leila Benyounes leads the inquest group in chambers. As a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel, she is frequently sought after to handle Article 2 jury inquests, particularly those arising from hospital deaths or involving sensitive mental health issues</em>” [<em>Chambers and Partners, 2024</em>]Leila is a skilled advocate. She is meticulous and strategic in her approach to obtain the best results for her clients:“<em>Leila is an excellent tactician. She has great technical knowledge and brilliant client care skills”</em> [<em>Legal 500, 2023</em>]<em>“She is extremely well organised, extremely thorough and will explore every area of a case. She is responsive, attentive, and a fantastic communicator” [Chambers and Partners, 2022]</em><em>“She does not back down in the face of adversity. She is extremely approachable and makes those that she is working with, whether it be those instructing, the expert or the client, feel at ease” [Legal 500, 2021]</em>Leila is appointed as a Recorder in Crime on the North Eastern CircuitLeila has been appointed to the Attorney General’s Treasury Counsel Panel A since 2010 and was re-appointed for a further 5 year term in 2021.Leila is Vice Chair of the North Eastern Circuit Women’s Forum and a member of the Personal Injury Bar Association Executive Committee. Leila was President of the Leeds and District Medico-Legal Society from 2015-16 and 2018-20 and remains an active member of the Society’s committee.Leila is a freelance tutor on the Bar Course at BPP Law School in Leeds. She is also a tutor to medical students on the Medical Ethics module at the University of Leeds.Leila is a keen runner and has participated in the Great North Run a number of times fundraising for Diabetes UK and Bowel Cancer UK. In October 2021 she took part in the London Marathon raising money for a Yorkshire charity which helps to support children with severe disabilities, PhysCap. She took part in the Leeds Marathon in May 2024 held in support of the MND Association, the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Appeal, and Leeds Hospitals Charity.Listen to Leila's recent podcast with Deputy Chief Coroner, Derek Winter DL: <a href="https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/understanding-coroner-inquests-and-the-role-of-lawyers/"><em>Understanding coroner inquests and the role of lawyers</em></a><a href="https://x.com/Leila_Benyounes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@Leila_Benyounes</a>