Rachel Russell - Personal Injury

Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in dealing with personal injury cases, acting for both claimants and defendants with extensive expertise in claims concerning catastrophic injuries of the utmost severity. She is currently instructed as junior counsel to Christopher Sharp KC in a particularly complex traumatic brain injury case.  Rachel’s regular clients include national insurers and top-tier claimant firms, as well as numerous local authorities throughout England and Wales and the NHS.

Rachel has gained a reputation for her robust advocacy, well-reasoned but no nonsense approach to complicated issues, and her friendly manner with clients. She is highly respected both in chambers and on circuit.  Whilst the focus of her practice is on cases of higher value, she will accept instructions on lower value matters where there are novel or complex issues to consider.

Rachel has broad experience of dealing with claims involving animals, not only using the Animals Act but also in employers’ liability and common law negligence. Rachel has advised and represented clients in cases concerning all types of animals from cats to rams but she has a particular interest in equine cases and has had conduct of numerous such cases, including acting for the successful claimant in a case concerning an accident at a leading racehorse trainer’s stables.

Rachel also has considerable experience in dealing with ‘disease’ and occupational illness litigation ranging from noise induced hearing loss cases, to mesothelioma and stress at work. Rachel has particular expertise in COVID-19 claims.  She regularly advises and appears in trials on such cases, dealing with broad ranging issues from breach of duty to causation and limitation.

In 2020 she was appointed Recorder on the Western Circuit sitting in the civil jurisdiction.

She is willing to accept instructions on a CFA basis in appropriate cases and is qualified to undertake Public Access work in appropriate cases.