Neil Rees

Call: 2019

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Neil Rees has a broad civil practice, with a particular focus on personal injury and clinical negligence cases.

He is instructed by both claimants and defendants across a wide range of cases, including RTA, employer’s liability, public liability, occupiers’ liability, fatal accidents, low velocity impact, and fundamental dishonesty claims.

His wider practice includes contractual and commercial disputes, consumer finance, actions against the police, and professional conduct matters. Neil appears regularly at all stages of litigation – from interim hearings and strike-out applications to CCMCs, trials and appeals – and is experienced in drafting pleadings, advice, and detailed schedules of loss.

Neil practised as a solicitor for over a decade, specialising in serious injury work and leading on multi-million-pound settlements. He gained Higher Rights of Audience in 2017. His previous experience gives him valuable insight into litigation strategy and the needs of professional clients.

Neil has a national practice and regularly appears in courts across England and Wales.

Expertise

Personal Injury

Neil represents both claimants and defendants in a wide range of personal injury claims, including RTA, employer’s liability, public liability, and fatal accidents. He is experienced in fundamental dishonesty and LVI cases, with a practice spanning hearings, trials, and appeals. He has a growing multitrack practice and has a particular interest in serious and catastrophic injuries. His previous experience as a serious injuries solicitor has led to him having a tactical, client-focused approach.

Clinical Negligence

Neil has a growing practice acting for both Claimants and Defendants in high value clinical negligence matters arising from delays in treatment and surgical errors.

Insurance and Commercial Litigation

Neil represents Claimant’s and Defendants in respect of insurance and commercial ligation disputes across a broad range of areas including breach of contract.

Police Actions & Prison Law

Neil accepts instructions in actions against the police and has advised on the lawfulness of detention, the use of excessive force and battery.

Professional conduct issues

Neil is experienced in cases involving allegations of misconduct, breach of professional standards, and regulatory enforcement.

Additional Information

Education

Post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Glamorgan
Post-graduate Diploma in Law, University of Glamorgan
BscEcon, Sociology, University of Wales Swansea

Memberships

APIL
Personal Injury Bar Association
Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

Notable & Reported Cases

RM v BOE – Neil acted for the Claimant in a complex case where the Claimant has sustained a traumatic amputation of multiple digits after sustaining a crush injury at work. The claim was complicated further as the Claimant had since the accident, developed active Huntington’s Disease which lead to reduced mobility and shortened life expectancy. The claim was settled for £250,000.
CJD v NS – Neil was instructed by the Defendant to represent the Claimant at an interlocutory hearing in respect of a matter brought for delayed diagnosis of a psychological condition. Neil succeeded in having the case struck out at the first hearing.
MR v AIUP – Neil acted for the Claimant in a claim for credit hire for £52,000 where need, legality, enforcement, period and rate were all challenged. Impecuniosity was not in issue and so BHR evidence had been produced. At trial the court accepted need was established and enforcement was conceded in closing submissions. Neil successfully argued that the period was appropriate placing reliance on Mattocks v Mann [1993] RTR 13 and Clark v Ardington Electrical Services [2002] EWCA Civ 510 and so the court made no deduction to the 174 day period of hire. Neil challenged the BHR evidence as being unreliable in that it did not comply with Equity Syndicate Management [2015] EWCA Civ 93  and that the Defendant had not met its evidential burden. The Judge accepted Neil’s submission that the only reliable rates before the court were the credit hire rates and so the court awarded the Claimant’s credit hire in the pleaded sum.
AM v TL – Neil represented the Claimant who had sustained a twisting injury to his knee following an accident at work. Neil advised on quantum and litigation tactics throughout the claim which had a complicated CRU issue to resolve. The claim was settled for £44,500.
JH v HDHB – Neil was instructed by the Defendant to represent their interest in a claim brought which alleged clinical negligence, breach of the Human Rights Act 1998, and Defamation. The Defendant applied to strike out the claim for breach of the HRA and the claim advanced in Defamation prior to the defence being filed which was successful, leaving the only substantive issue as the claim in negligence. Thereafter the Claimant did not proceed with the claim further.
AG v RH – Neil represented the Claimant in a trial on quantum successfully beating the Claimant’s own P36 offer and thereby recovering indemnity costs.
CE v JCDSM – Represented the Claimant in a road traffic accident claim heard in the Crown Court while the Claimant was on remand. Defendant alleged fundamental dishonesty. The court accepted the Claimant’s credibility, rejected the defence, and awarded enhanced damages, indemnity interest, and indemnity costs after the Claimant beat a Part 36 offer.
WN v BBCEL – Acted for the Claimant in a workplace accident claim where both liability and quantum were disputed. Despite the claim being limited to £25,000 and a £15,000 settlement offer, Neil advised rejection. The Judge found in favour of the Claimant on both liability and quantum, awarding nearly £40,000.
AP v NATL – Successfully defended a personal injury claim involving an allegedly defective seat. Cross-examination revealed that part of the Claimant’s evidence related to a previous incident. The Court agreed the evidence lacked credibility and dismissed the claim.
EE v ZI – Represented a Defendant insurer in a vehicle damage claim. Although liability was admitted, Neil successfully argued that the Claimant’s conduct warranted cost sanctions. The Court barred the Claimant from recovering costs, and the Claimant’s solicitors were ordered to pay Neil’s brief fee.
MJ v JD – Acted for the Defendant in a disputed road traffic accident case. Neil raised alternative plausible explanations for the incident. The Claimant failed to prove her case, and the claim was dismissed.
MR v AIUK – Represented the Claimant in a credit hire claim for £52,145.81 where need, legality, period, enforcement, rate was all disputed. Neil successfully argued that there was a need of the vehicle for the entirety of the extended hire period, and that the Claimant had been riding his motorcycle legally at the time of the accident. Neil also challenged the Defendants BHR evidence whereby the court accepted following submissions that the claim was made out in full with no reductions being made, awarded the Claimant £52,145.81 plus costs.

For more information
Contact our clerks for assistance with choosing the right barrister for your matter.

clerks@30parkplace.co.uk
+44 (0)2920 398421

Personal Injury Conference

Past Events | 1 November 2022

Following our successful Personal Injury Conference in October the recording and talk notes are now available online here. The talks include: APIL CPD hours: 2…