Ampleforth College
Demy (Open Scholar) Magdalen College, Oxford.
M.A. in Litterae Humaniores (Classics, Ancient History, Philosophy)

1981-2000 Recorder of the Crown Court.
1990 Elected Bencher of Middle Temple
1991-2000 Deputy High Court Judge
1993 Appointed Chairman of the National Health Service Tribunal
2005 Treasurer, Middle Temple

Email: awhitfield@3serjeantsinn.com

Adrian Whitfield specialises in all areas of medical law, which now amounts to over 90% of practice as a whole, and professional negligence. He is a founder member and former Head of 3 Serjeants' Inn. From a general common law practice he developed his speciality in medical law in which he has predominantly practised since taking silk. He acts for both claimants and defendants and has been instructed in many leading medical law cases over the last 20 years. He is frequently asked to write, lecture and teach on various aspects of medical litigation. His interest in the subject has led to membership of the Clinical Disputes Forum, the Chief Medical Officer's Working Party on 'Making Amends', and the Civil Justice Council Committee on Clinical Negligence and Serious Personal Injury. He is a certified CEDR mediator.

YM v Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2006] EWHC 820 (QB) (Security of periodical payments)

Sheffield City Council v E and S [2005] Lloyd's Med Rep 223 (Capacity to marry)

Chester v Afshar  [2005] 1AC 134 (Informed Consent: Causation)

Re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation)   [2001] Fam 147: [217, 184] (Medical Law, Crime).

Hardman v Amin   [2000] Lloyd’s Med Rep 498 [216] (Clinical Negligence/Damages: Wrongful birth).

Bishop v Berkshire Health Authority   [1999] Lloyds Med Rep 16 [216] (Clinical Negligence/ Structured settlements).

Smith v Leicester Health Authority   [1998] Lloyd’s Rep Med 77 [216] (Clinical Negligence/ Limitation).

R v Croydon Health Authority   [1998] Lloyd’s Rep Med 44 [217] (Medical Law/Wrongful birth : scope of duty).

South Bucks NHS Trust v R   [1996] 7 Med. L.R. 401 [217] (Medical Law/Treatment : do not resuscitate decision).

Hopkins v Mackenzie  [1995] 6 Med L.R. 26 (Professional Negligence/Limitation : striking out).

Ritchie v Chichester Health Authority  [1994] 5 Med. L.R 1987 [216] (Negligence : Clinical Negligence/ Obstetrics).

Sion v Hampstead Health Authority   [1994] 5 Med. L.R. 170 [216] (Damages : Clinical Negligence/ Nervous Shock).

Howard v Wessex Regional Health Authority   [1994] 5 Med. L.R. 57 [216] (Negligence: Clinical Negligence/: facio-maxillary surgery).

R v Prentice: R v Sullman   [1994] Q.B. 302 [184] (Crime/Medical manslaughter).

De Martell v Merton and Sutton H.A  [1993] QB 204 [217] (Medical Law: Rights of unborn child).

Salih v Enfield Health Authority   [1991] 3 ALL ER 400 [216] (Damages : Criminal Negligence/ wrongful birth).

Almond v Leeds Western Health Authority   [1990] 1 Med L.R 370 [216] (Damages : Clinical Negligence/cerebral palsy).

W v Egdell   [1990] 1 ALL ER 835 [217] (Medical Law/Confidentiality).

Roberts v Johnstone  [1984] QB948 [216] (Damages: Clinical Negligence/adapted housing

In re F  (Mental Patient Sterilisation) [1990] 2 A.C.1 [217] (Damages: Clinical Negligence/adapted housing).

Hotson v East Berkshire Health Authority   [1987] 1 A.C. 70 [217] (Medical Law/Causation).

Kralj v McGrath   [1986] 1 ALL ER 54 (Damages : aggravated).

Sidaway v Bethlem Royal Hospital   [1985] 1 A.C. 871 (Informed consent).

Former Chairman of theDisability Panel of the General Council of the Bar

Member of:  

• The Medico-Legal Society;
• Royal Society of Medicine;
• Professional Negligence Bar Association;
• Personal Injury Bar Association;
• London Commercial and Common Law Bar Association