Bernard was called to the bar in 2004 and has been a specialist personal injury practitioner throughout his time at the bar. Bernard has amassed a wealth of experience, acting for both claimants and defendants, in every type of personal injury action and in courts across the jurisdiction. Bernard’s practice also includes pursuing and defending professional negligence claims arising from personal injury actions. Bernard is able to provide written advice or advice in conference, with lay clients and expert witnesses alike. He also accepts instructions to act in all types of applications and interlocutory hearings, including CCMCs, JSMs, trials, appeals and costs matters. Bernard’s main areas of expertise are:
- Serious spinal injuries;
- Brain injuries;
- Catastrophic and fatal injuries;
- Fraudulent claims – with a specialty in cases involving fundamental dishonesty and applications under section 57 of the Criminal Justice & Courts Act 2015;
- Cases involving complex causation arguments;
- Serious pain disorders, such as somatoform disorder, chronic pain syndrome and fibromyalgia;
- Psychiatric conditions;
- Road traffic accidents and related insurance claims;
- Product liability claims;
- Employer’s liability claims.