James Arney, KC
James is responsible for editing the Driving, Manoeuvring, Parking and Cyclists and Motorcyclists sections in the next edition of Binghams’ Personal Injury and Motor Claims Cases (2023).
James has a well-balanced personal injury and clinical negligence practice, split evenly between Claimant and Defendant instructions. He was awarded “Personal Injury Junior of The Year” by Chambers and Partners 2019, and took Silk in 2021. He is regularly instructed in high-value litigation with claim values up to £30 million. He has a particular focus on quantum disputes relating to amputations, brain injuries, spinal injuries and fatal accidents, as well as RTA liability issues.
Alongside Derek Sweeting KC, James was successful in the landmark Court of Appeal decision in Swift v Carpenter that brought fundamental change to the way that accommodation claims are quantified. The Swift first instance quantum judgment is one of only a few reported amputation decisions in the last decade, where the ultimate £4.9 million award has helped recalibrate the value of amputation claims.
In the recent 2022 case of Preater, James successfully represented a Claimant who faced fundamental dishonesty allegations. The Claimant was awarded over £970,000 after a 7-day trial. This was a clinical negligence claim arising from vaginal mesh surgery, resulting in the Claimant suffering a variety of serious symptoms including fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain. The judgment offers valuable lessons for claimants’ representatives (when their client faces FD allegations) and defendant insurers alike.
James strives for a team approach with instructing solicitors and collaborative engagement with opponents.