"Extremely thorough, unflappable, and insightful, with a sensitive and very efficient approach to cases."
LEGAL 500 2021
Rob undertakes personal injury and clinical negligence work, but specialises particularly in clinical cases: he is well regarded in the field, and is consistently recommended as a leading junior in the main legal directories. He has been praised for being down to earth and client-friendly, and for his skill in dealing both with experts, and with unusually difficult cases.
Rob's clinical negligence cases almost all involve a serious untoward outcome or death. They are often claims of unusual factual or medical complexity. In terms of financial value; the majority fall within the £50,000 to £1m range. He undertakes both claimant and defendant work, providing robust practical advice.
He regularly provides advice and representation in cases involving:
Examples of his recent case load include claims arising from:
Rob sits part-time as an Assistant Coroner in Avon, and has extensive experience of large and high profile inquest work as an advocate.
The majority of his instructions are on behalf of bereaved families, and he has been involved in a large number of cases where the coroner or jury have concluded that neglect contributed to the death.
Although the majority of Rob's work is clinical, he undertakes a wide range of personal injury work, and receives instructions in high value, complex or unusual personal injury claims. He advised the family of one of the victims of the July 7th bombings in London, and has represented a multi-national energy company following the death of one of its workers at an on-shore gas storage facility: he is also happy to take on more 'straightforward' personal injury cases!
Clinical Negligence
‘Extremely thorough, unflappable, and insightful, with a sensitive and very efficient approach to cases.’
Clinical Negligence
Regularly handles surgical negligence claims as well as those concerning negligent care of individuals. His practice predominantly centres on acting for claimants. He garners particular praise from commentators for his user-friendly approach.
"The work he produces is always of a high standard. He is very down to earth and is well received by clients." "Very straightforward."
Personal Injury & Clin Neg
‘A very grounded barrister, who always provides pragmatic advice.’
Clinical Negligence
Leading Junior - Band 2
Regularly handles surgical negligence claims as well as those concerning negligent care of individuals. His practice predominantly centres on acting for claimants. He garners particular praise from commentators for his user-friendly approach.
Strengths: "I find him an excellent all-rounder. He has a very good understanding of what the client and a lawyer needs. He's tenacious and fights his corner, and his advocacy is first-rate." "He is a dedicated barrister and shows repeated good judgement." "He is very good at getting to grips with the issues and holding conferences with clients and experts in complex matters."
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Leading juniors
'He skilfully explains complex legal issues to lay clients.'
Clinical Negligence
Leading Junior - Band 2
Praised by sources for his ability on technically complex claims. He handles a wide-ranging clinical negligence caseload, often tackling matters concerning surgical negligence and substandard care.
Strengths: "He's very efficient, helpful and friendly. He is one of those people that can take something complex and simplify it for everyone and get to the heart of the matter. He is also excellent at dealing with sensitive cases. You want him in your corner."
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Leading juniors
'A top-quality barrister with a unique ability to simplify the most difficult cases.'
Clinical Negligence
Leading Junior - Band 2
A clinical negligence specialist, he is frequently instructed by a wide range of clients including a spectrum of niche clinical negligence firms nationwide. Sowersby is especially highly regarded for his expertise in genital injuries and bowel issues.
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Leading juniors
'He ensures that all aspects of a case are investigated thoroughly'.
Clinical Negligence
Leading Junior - Band 1
Handles a wide range of clinical negligence work, with noted niche expertise in male genital injuries and issues of the bowel. Although he has a national client base, a strong portion of his caseload originates from Wales.
Expertise: "He is a dogged, tenacious advocate." "He's focused on client management and is particularly good with sensitive issues."
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
'A clinical negligence specialist who attracts instructions nationally'.
"A respected clinical negligence practitioner at the Western Bar...He is especially well known for his skills with inquests and chronic pain cases."
Expertise: "He comes into his own when dealing with difficult cases: he excels with them."
'...recommended for [his] clinical negligence expertise...'
Clinical Negligence
Band 1
'Roberts Sowersby's practice is almost entirely concentrated on clinical negligence claims, although he does also undertake some personal injury work. His caseload is predominantly made up of complex and high-value claims. Commentators note that "he is very persuasive as an advocate," because of his "ability to make the most technically difficult case seem straightforward." He is also highly regarded for "skill in dealing sensitively with clients on difficult cases - he's very approachable and down to earth".'
Clinical Negligence
Band 1
'Robert Sowersby recently joined Guilhdall from Devereux Chambers in London and is emphatically praised as "thorough, well-informed and emphatetic indidicual who is very good with clients".'
'The [Guildhall] team was enhanced by the addition of Robert Sowersby, who exhibits "a ruthless professionalism in court", provides advice that is "to the point and easy to understand", and is "superb with experts".'
Personal Injury
Band 1
'Robert Sowersby is [a] highly regarded practitioner, who has a good deal of experience and expertise in this area. He is noted for his "willingness to fight difficult cases" and the fact that he "always complies with deadlines quickly".'
'...thought to be particularly good on fatal cases. He was described as having "a good analytical mind and a relaxed manner with clients". He was further commended for the fact that "he fights his corner in court, remaining impressively calm and unflappable at all times".'
For further information and enquiries please contact:
Clinical Negligence: Olive Kavanagh
Personal Injury: Olive Kavanagh
Regulatory & Discipline: Olive Kavanagh or Steve Arnold
