Pankaj has an excellent reputation in Personal Injury Law. He has a balanced practice representing both Claimant and Defendant usually in high value multi-track cases. He is from a medical family and has a good understanding of medical issues. Renowned for an eye for detail and a good sympathetic client approach he also has been described by the Legal 500  as a “tough advocate”. 



Based primarily on the North Eastern Circuit, Pankaj is instructed and respected by leading national firms, both Claimant and Defendant. Pankaj is also a member of 12 King’s Bench Walk, London, his speciality being almost exclusively Personal Injury.

He does accept conditional fee cases  but only by prior arrangement after a risk assessment has been undertaken.



He is experienced in claims of the utmost severity exceeding £1 million (with leading counsel) but is also at ease undertaking very substantial multi track claims as sole junior counsel. 



He has particular interest and expertise in: 



• Hyper-extension flexion injuries leading to Chronic Pain syndrome,  or exacerbating pre-existing conditions such as fibromyalgia and joint hypermobility syndrome

• Head injuries with a particular interest in subtle brain injury
• 
Chronic spinal injuries 
Unusual Psychiatric Injury e.g. Somatisation Disorder and Hysterical Conversion Syndrome 

• Employer's liability and health and safety at work related claims 
Industrial deafness and disease 

• Evidence of fraud obtained after trial, recovery of damages actions and contempt of court. 

• High value property damage claims including indemnity and contribution claims by insurers

Pankaj also sits as a Deputy District Judge in the Civil Courts.

Sargent v Gillie (2007) Defended a claim at trial down from approximately £100,000 pleaded value to less than £5,000 following cross examination of a Claimant utilising surveillance evidence obtained of him.

O’ Hanlon v London Underground (2008) Acted for the Claimant for psychiatric injury arising out of the Chancery Lane Underground Rail accident in January 2003- resulting in a settlement in excess of £200,000.



Batson v Craske (2009)  Acted for the Claimant   who was confined to a wheelchair for many years after suffering hysterical conversion disorder after a minor modest road traffic accident involving £120 of damage to the motor car. Claimant suffered from purely psychological injuries (Hysterical Conversion syndrome) and although would recover after trial,  obtained a settlement of  £165,000 amid allegations of fraud.

Garrod v Nevendon South East Cars (2009)  Acted for an injured employee who has suffered a head injury, personality change and the loss of an eye after a severe accident at work resulting in a settlement in excess of £200,000

Proctor v Hussain (2009-) Acting for a widow whose entire nuclear family were killed in a high profile accident on the motorway whilst travelling to the airport to  begin their holiday

Bennett v TravelWorld (2010) Acting for a widow whose husband was killed whilst they were on holiday likely to be a claim in excess of £1 million.

Greensit v Whiteley (2009) – Acted for a young mechanic against Leading Counsel for the Defendant who suffered some permanent spinal injuries in a frontal collision. Included issues of contributory negligence and complex medical issues arising out of the failure to wear a seat belt.

Allcock v Tyco  (2009)  Successfully defended  at claim at trial down from £80,000 pleaded value to less than £5,000 following cross examination of the Claimant’s medical expert and oral evidence from both experts at trial resulting in the Claimant having to pay substantial costs and pay interim payments back to the Defendant.

Former Assistant Editor 'Personal Injury Precedents & Pleadings'.

Pankaj regularly speaks at seminars covering a wide range of topics both in house for firms of solicitors, as well as on the Zenith Chambers open sessions. Subjects include:

• The New Ogden Tables 6th edition
• Drafting realistic Schedules and Counter-schedules
• Pre-action Disclosure
• The Freedom of Information Act
• Evidence of Fraud obtained after trial

Professional Negligence Bar Association.
Personal Injuries Bar Association.
Personal Injury Group – Zenith Chambers
Industrial Disease Group - Zenith Chambers

Harmsworth Scholar of the Middle Temple 


Astbury Scholar of the Middle Temple

Leeds Grammar School, Magdalene College, Cambridge MA Hons (Law).
Astbury Scholar and Harmsworth Scholar of the Middle Temple.

Pankaj enjoys keeping fit, photography, the theatre and the opera. He is from a medical background and married to a Consultant in Child Psychiatry. He has recently become a dad.        

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