Having achieved a good grounding in all areas of general common law, Deborah now specialises in personal injury law.
Until recently, Deborah continued to practise in employment law, which continues to assist her in her personal injury practice.
Deborah is a working mother of two children. She is a keen sports woman, with achievements in Judo at national standard. She is an accomplished skier and a reluctant runner (marathon and half marathon). Her latest craze is obstacle running; she was the first veteran woman in the 2014 “Tough Guy” Obstacle Half Marathon. She spends her spare time indulging her passions for rock music, cooking and gardening.
Areas of Expertise
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Personal Injury
Deborah acts for both Claimants and Defendants and represents parties in settlement negotiations (with recent experience of mediation in the Court of Appeal), civil proceedings, criminal injury compensation claims (abuse and assault claims by staff in a care home setting) and at the Coroners Court.
Her personal injury work includes, but is not limited to, accidents at work, road traffic accidents, highways claims, public liability claims, harassment and stress at work claims.
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Abuse
Deborah has a special interest in historic abuse claims, including abuse in care establishments, foster care, individual assault claims and social care negligence. In the last twenty years she has acted for Claimants in numerous group actions, with and without leading counsel.
As a personal injury practitioner of many years, she has either pursued or been required to meet numerous allegations of fraud and exaggeration.
Deborah has extensive experience of issues relating to limitation, representing Claimants at preliminary hearings in historic abuse claims.
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Clinical Negligence
Deborah has worked on clinical negligence claims since pupillage.
She undertakes a range of cases, including negligent treatment, misdiagnosis, dental negligence and general surgery.
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Disease
Deborah has extensive experience in disease claims, including noise-induced hearing loss, work-related upper limb disorder, hand-arm vibration syndrome, dermatitis and asbestos-related conditions.
She frequently addresses limitation as a preliminary issue and at final trial.
About
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Memberships
- Personal Injuries Bar Association
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Education
- LLB, Leeds Metropolitan University
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“Deborah is excellent in negotiations and very good with the clients. She has a natural empathy.”
Chambers UK 2025
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“A phenomenal advocate.” “Very good with clients.”
Chambers & Partners 2021 - Personal Injury
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“She is thorough, pragmatic, down to earth and approachable.”
Chambers & Partners 2020 - Personal Injury
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“She’s very tactical with her advice and very good in court.” “She’s very personable with clients and she’s very bright.”
Chambers & Partners 2019 - Personal Injury
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“Respected barrister offering expertise in personal injury law.” “Approachable and personable. She has very good empathy with clients and is good to work with.” “Hard-working. She will always go the extra mile and deliver on time with sound, practical advice.”
Chambers & Partners 2017 - Personal Injury