Recent news
Anthony Searle appears on RSM Digital Health Podcast to discuss patient consent and AI
Anthony Searle appeared as a guest on the Royal Society of Medicine’s Digital Health Section Podcast, which features interviews with leading figures in digital health and technology. The episode, Informed Consent in the Age of AI, is presented by Dr Annabelle Painter, Chief Medical Officer of Visiba and Honorary Fellow in Digital Health at Imperial College London.
The conversation examines how the law of informed consent applies to the growing use of AI in clinical care — from diagnostic decision support and autonomous algorithms to AI scribes and opaque models. It covers whether patients need to be told when AI is involved in their care, the practical challenges clinicians face in explaining AI-related risks and limitations, and the current absence of case law, formal NHS guidance, or professional consensus on AI-specific consent. It also addresses practical steps that clinicians, healthcare organisations, and healthtech companies can take now to manage consent and transparency in AI-assisted care.
Anthony specialises in clinical negligence and healthcare law. He has a specialist interest in civil liability for AI-related harms in healthcare, and earlier this year submitted a detailed response to the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce’s consultation on liability for AI harms under private law, focusing on the healthcare context.
The episode is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Conrad Hallin successfully represents local authority in the Court of Appeal: The King v David Wood [2026] EWCA Crim 480
Conrad Hallin successfully represented a local authority in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), resisting the Court’s suggestion that it might make a mandatory order against either the local authority or the probation service to require the appointment of a supervisory officer under the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964.
Read the judgment here.
Southport Inquiry: Phase 1 report published
Sir Adrian Fulford has published his report of phase 1 of the Southport Inquiry.
On 29 July 2024, AR (who was 17 years old at the time) carried out a brutal knife attack at a children’s dance club in Southport. He murdered 3 young girls, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, and injured 10 other people. Sixteen others survived the attack but live with the serious emotional consequences.
Phase 1 considered the events leading up to the Southport attack and the attack itself; and (ii) the decision-making and information-sharing by local services and agencies which interacted with AR prior to the attack.
Sir Adrian identified five fundamental problems in how AR’s risk managed and opportunities, made detailed findings on missed opportunities to manage the risk AR posed to the public, and made 67 recommendations for improvements.
The Phase 1 report may be found here.
Phase 2 of the Inquiry will examine how acts of extreme violence by ‘violence-fixated individuals’ can be prevented. Its terms of reference were published by the Home Secretary on 13 April 2026.
James Berry KC and Chloe Hill acted for Merseyside Police.
John Beggs KC and Oliver Williamson acted for Lancashire Police.
Laura Bramall shortlisted for the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year at the 2026 Pro Bono Awards
We are delighted to announce that Laura Bramall has been shortlisted for the Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year at the 2026 Pro Bono Awards.
Laura Bramall joined us as a tenant this month, upon successful completion of her pupillage at Chambers.
Since 1997, the annual Bar Pro Bono Awards have been a unique opportunity in the legal calendar to recognise and celebrate the remarkable pro bono achievements of the Bar in England and Wales.
For the full list of nominees please see here.
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Awards
Inquests & Inquiries Set of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year
Eloise Power
NOMINATED
Public Services & Charities Silk of the Year
John Beggs KC
WINNER
Court of Protection Set of the Year
WINNER
Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year
Jake Rylatt
NOMINATED
Female Trailblazer of the Year
Rachel Spearing
SHORTLISTED
Public Services and Charities Junior of the Year
James Berry
WINNER
Court of Protection Junior of the Year
Rhys Hadden
WINNER
Public Services and Charities Set of the Year
NOMINATED
Public Law Set of the Year
NOMINATED
Professional Disciplinary Set of the Year
NOMINATED
Court of Protection Set of the Year
NOMINATED
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
NOMINATED
Set of the Year
NOMINATED
Best Chambers for Legal Tech
LONGLISTED
Best Chambers Supportiveness
LONGLISTED
Best Chambers for Quality of Work
LONGLISTED
Nageena Khalique KC
Advocate of the Year
WINNER
Set for Social Mobility Initiative of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Set for Race Equality Initiative of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Sarah Clarke KC
Business Crime Defence
LISTED
John Beggs KC
Professional Discipline Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Bridget Dolan KC
Inquests and Public Inquiries Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Simon Cridland
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Inquests and Public Inquiries Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline Set of the Year
WINNER
Michael Mylonas KC
Court of Protection and Community Care Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
John de Bono KC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
WINNER
Katie Gollop KC
Court of Protection and Community Care Silk of the Year
WINNER
Bridget Dolan KC
Court of Protection and Community Care Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Sarah Clarke KC
Financial Services and Insurance Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Claire Watson KC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Anthony Haycroft
Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Junior of the year
SHORTLISTED
Heidi Knight
Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Eloise Power
Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
James Berry
Public Services and Charities Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Rhys Hadden
Court of Protection and Community Care Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Cecily White
Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Catherine Calder
Chambers Leader of the Year
WINNER
Lee Johnson
Senior Clerk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Clinical negligence set of the year
SHORTLISTED
Court of Protection and Community Care Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law Set of the Year
WINNER
Public Law Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Public Services and Charities Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Marketing Team of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Front of House Team of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Sarah Clarke KC
Responsible Leader
SHORTLISTED
Mark Harries KC
Pro Bono KC of the Year
WINNER
Olivia Kirkbride
Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Tom O'Connor
Pro Bono Chambers' Professional of the Year
WINNER
Pro Bono Chambers of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Andrew Hockton
Professional Discipline & Regulatory Law Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Angus Moon KC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sir Robert Francis KC
Marketing & Front of House Team of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Catherine Calder
Chambers' CEO of the Year
SHORTLISTED
James Berry
Public Law Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Heidi Knight
Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Alan Jenkins
Professional Discipline & Regulatory Law Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Sarah Clarke KC
Financial Services and Insurance Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Christopher Johnston KC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
WINNER
John Beggs KC
Professional Discipline & Regulatory Law Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Public Law Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline & Regulatory Law Set of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year
Neil Davy
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
Elliot Gold
Professional Discipline Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
John de Bono QC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
James Berry
Professional Discipline Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Claire Watson
Clinical Negligence Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
Christopher Johnston QC
Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & Inclusion Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Gerry Boyle QC
Professional Discipline Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
David Morris
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Elliot Gold
Leader of the future, Diversity & Inclusion
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline Silk of the Year
John Beggs QC
Chambers Innovation
WINNER
Chambers of the Year
WINNER
Award for Customer Focus
WINNER
Chambers of the Year
WINNER
Katie Gollop QC
Barrister of the Year
WINNER
Client Care Initiative of the Year
HIGHLY ACCLAIMED
Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in Well-being
HIGHLY ACCLAIMED
Michael Mylonas QC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Angus Moon QC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
ANTHONY HAYCROFT
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Angus Moon QC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Client Management Innovation
FINALIST
Chambers of the Year
WINNER
Litigation Team of the Year
FINALIST
Set of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
WINNER
Bridget Dolan
WINNER
Set of the Year
WINNER
2015
Set of the Year
WINNER
The Lawyer Awards 2015
Bronze place
GERRY BOYLE
2015
Client Service
HIGHLY ACCLAIMED
Bronze place
SET OF THE YEAR
2016
JOHN BEGGS QC
2016
Set of the Year
HIGHLY ACCLAIMED
2016
Rising Star
CECILY WHITE
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
ANDREW HOCKTON
Best Strategic Resource
2015
FINALIST
Professional Discipline Finalist
ANTHONY HAYCROFT
Best Service Innovation
FINALIST
2016
BRIDGET DOLAN QC
Professional Discipline Set of the Year
WINNER
Finalist
JOHN BEGGS QC