Andrew is the senior junior of choice for high-value claims. He works ferociously hard, is hugely intelligent, and a truly excellent advocate. ‘He is a superb barrister who can’t be beaten for his eye for detail. He has depth of knowledge and is down to earth, he takes a pragmatic approach to cases.’ “

Chambers UK 2024, Personal Injury

apm logo Andrew McLaughlin is a leading barrister with a national practice in the fields of personal injury, industrial disease and clinical negligence. A member of St John’s Chambers for more than 20 years, he holds the position of Head of the Personal Injury Practice Group. His focus on client service and enviable ability to turn paperwork around quickly and efficiently has seen him develop into one of the busiest barristers in the country.

His meticulous preparation and tenacious advocacy skills have helped him successfully defend his clients’ interests at trial and as part of settlement negotiations in some of the highest profile injury litigation of recent years.

Andrew is ranked as a Tier 1 barrister in The Legal 500 for personal injury and Band 1 in Chambers UK for personal injury and industrial disease for which he is ranked as a national expert in the Spotlight Table. With a high value multi-track practice, Andrew’s cases are usually in the High Court and Court of Appeal. He is regularly instructed as a leading junior on cases where silks have been instructed on the other side. Notably, in 2021 he comprehensively defeated a well-known KC in the case of Walkden v Drayton Manor Park, securing a finding of fundamental dishonesty.  The claim was originally pleaded at £1.6m.

Andrew’s defendant-focused practice sees him being counsel of choice for the majority of national firms and their insurer clients especially in complex cases where fundamental dishonesty and fraud is alleged. His expert knowledge of counter-fraud litigation tactics is in high demand and Andrew is often asked to speak to claims handlers on how to spot the signs of fundamental dishonesty and claims inflation.

Andrew’s caseload includes claims arising from road traffic accidents, accidents at work, public/occupiers’ liability, and involve catastrophic injuries such as tetraplegia and severe brain and spinal injuries, chronic pain disorders, functional neurological disorder, amputations, stress at work, fatal accidents, sexual abuse, serious psychiatric injuries, upper limb disorders, noise-induced hearing loss, asbestosis and mesothelioma.  He also often represents companies and public bodies in some of the highest level of claims of misuse of private information and data breaches.

In addition to his main practice Andrew also regularly undertakes work on behalf of individuals and companies facing prosecution for breaches of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and subordinate legislation.

Andrew is qualified to undertake public access work in appropriate cases.

Key cases include:

Directory Quotes

The quality of his work is second to none. He always gets the right result on any case in which he is instructed. He has a really pleasant and calm demeanour that puts clients at ease.”

Chamber UK 2024, Personal Injury

Andrew is excellent at drafting erudite defences and counter schedules. He is adept at probing cross-examination of witnesses at trial and putting forward complex cases in a straightforward fashion. He has in-depth medical knowledge and is a masterful tactician in mediations and without prejudice settlement meetings.”

The Legal 500 2024, Personal Injury

Andrew is the senior junior of choice for high-value claims. He works ferociously hard, is hugely intelligent, and a truly excellent advocate. ‘He is a superb barrister who can’t be beaten for his eye for detail. He has depth of knowledge and is down to earth, he takes a pragmatic approach to cases.’ “

Chambers UK 2024, Personal Injury

Andrew is the senior junior of choice for high-value claims. He works ferociously hard, is hugely intelligent, and a truly excellent advocate. ‘He is a superb barrister who can’t be beaten for his eye for detail. He has depth of knowledge and is down to earth, he takes a pragmatic approach to cases.’”

Chambers UK 2024, Personal Injury

Andrew’s forensic exploration of the material is his great strength. With Andrew you know he will leave no stone unturned. Clients love him. He is down to earth and personable so that lay and professional clients both equally enjoy working with him. His breadth of experience is a great asset. He is as good dealing with fundamental dishonesty cases as a catastrophic injury case. A superb senior junior.”

The Legal 500 2023, Personal Injury

Andrew is a leading personal injury barrister on the Western Circuit, adept at handling a variety of issues including stress, RTA and industrial disease claims. ‘Andrew is a robust and experienced advocate.’ ‘He inspires confidence in those instructing him.’ ‘Andrew is a first-rate barrister. He is exceptional.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Personal injury

Andrew has a forensic eye.’ ‘He provides a commercial overview.’ Andrew’s drafting skills are comprehensive, his pleadings are a pleasure to read.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Personal Injury: Industrial Disease

Andrew is very astute and incredibly hard-working. He has a very forensic approach to breaking down the component aspects of each claim.”

Legal 500 2022, Personal Injury

A forceful advocate. He has a brilliant manner and is sensible and down to earth. A shining star.”

CHAMBERS UK 2022, PERSONAL INJURY: INDUSTRIAL DISEASE

Very hard-working, he never misses a deadline and his work is very detailed. He is absolutely first-rate and one of the most robust leaders in this space.”

CHAMBERS UK 2022, PERSONAL INJURY

Superb advocate, very good in Court. Also provides clear and concise advice which gets to the heart of a case without dwelling on peripheral issues. Very good manner with clients, relatable and engaging.”

LEGAL 500 2021, PERSONAL INJURY

A brave advocate who will stand his corner in front of a difficult judge.” “Clients love him as he speaks their language and provides very sensible and commercial advice.” “He’s excellent with clients, has a keen eye for detail and is a powerful and persuasive advocate.”

Chambers UK 2021, Personal Injury

Andrew is one of the most capable and pleasant opponents. He is a joy to be against and always has a complete handle on his cases. He is clearly an experienced advocate.”

CHAMBERS UK 2021, INDUSTRIAL DISEASE

A brave advocate who will stand his corner in front of a difficult judge. Clients love him as he speaks their language and provides very sensible and commercial advice. ‘He’s excellent with clients, has a keen eye for detail and is a powerful and persuasive advocate.“

CHAMBERS UK 2021, PERSONAL INJURY

Leading personal injury barrister in the Western Circuit, adept at handling a variety of issues including stress, RTA and industrial disease claims. ‘He’s thorough, analytical and provides very commercially pragmatic advice.’ ‘Technically superb and extremely forensic, yet still able to adopt a pragmatic approach to claims.’ ‘Very effective in court.’ “

Chambers UK 2020, Personal Injury

An exceptionally good trial advocate, who is also incisive and pragmatic with his advice.”

Legal 500 2020, Personal Injury

Primarily acts in the defence of clients in significant industrial disease and personal injury cases. He has an impressively deep understanding of areas stretching beyond asbestos diseases, offering enviable expertise in cases involving noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and hand-arm vibration syndrome. ‘He’s particularly strong on procedure and good on his feet. He’s easy to deal with and turns around papers very quickly.’ “

Chambers UK 2020, PERSONAL INJURY: INDUSTRIAL DISEASE - ALL CIRCUITS

Leading personal injury barrister in the Western Circuit, adept at handling a variety of issues including stress, RTA and industrial disease claims. His cases concern serious injuries sustained in accidents at work. ‘He has a very good understanding of the case law and is an authority on asbestos claims.’ ‘He is knowledgeable, incisive, pays attention to the detail and is extremely efficient with his paperwork. He provides practical and thorough advice.’ ”

Chambers UK 2019, Personal Injury

Formidable on his feet; he takes no prisoners.”

Legal 500 2019, PERSONAL INJURY AND CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE

Seminars & Events

  • Appointments:

    • A Panel of GLD counsel, dealing with the most complex work on behalf of government
    • Attorney General’s List of Panel Counsel 2012 – 2023
  • Qualifications & awards:

    • BA (Hons) York
  • Professional memberships:

    • Member of the Personal Injury Bar Association Scholarships Benefactor’s and Blackstone scholarships from Middle Temple
  • Andrew McLaughlin is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.