William Latimer-Sayer KC specialises in catastrophic personal injury and clinical negligence. He has a special interest in quantum and the majority of his work is related to contested assessment of damages hearings. He is consistently highly-rated by the independent legal directories and took silk in 2016.

Although he accepts work on behalf of claimants and defendants, he generally tends to act for claimants. William is the General Editor of Schedules of Loss: Calculating Damages (Bloomsbury Publishing, 3rd edition 2010), the leading practitioner textbook on schedules of loss. In 2011 following an invitation from the Chairman, he became a member of the Ogden Working party, which is responsible for drafting the Ogden Tables, used by all practitioners and judges to assess damages in personal injury and clinical negligence cases.

William was instructed in the highest five court awards ever made (William being the only common link between the cases): Robshaw v United Lincolnshire NHS Trust [2015] EWHC 923 (£14.6 m); A v Powys Health Board 2007 (£10.7 m); Totham v King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [2015] EWHC 97 (QB) (£10.1 m); Farrugia v Burtenshaw & others [2014] EWHC 1036 (QB) (£9.7 m); and XXX v Strategic Health Authority [2008] EWHC 2727 (QB) (£9.4m). Other notable cases include: Majrowski v Guy's & St Thomas's NHS Trust [2006] UKHL 34; Sarwar v (1) Ali (2) MIB [2007] LS Law Medical 375; Iqbal v Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust [2008] EWCA Civ 1190; [2008] PIQR P9; [2008] LS Law Medical 22; Noble v Owens [2010] 1 WLR 2491; and JXMX v Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust [2015] Med LR 103.

William also undertakes liability work, particularly involving complex causation or medical issues, a recent example being the successful 16 day liability trial of Coakley v Dr Rosie. Another recent success was the intervention on behalf of PIBA in Court of Appeal case of JXMX concerning anonymity for claimants at approval hearings.

William was nominated for the Chambers and Partners' Personal Injury Junior of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010, winning in 2008 and 2010.

Chambers and Partners Clinical Negligence / Personal Injury Silk of the Year, 2018

Chambers & Partners 2025: (Clinical Negligence) "He is capable of adding serious value to any claim however well compiled." "William is at the front of all quantum knowledge in the field of personal injury." "William is the encyclopaedia on quantum cases." "He is such a good, detailed barrister and has amazing advocacy." "Everyone looks to William in the industry." "He pushes to get the very best results for clients and works collaboratively with his instructing solicitors." "He handles difficult conversations with clients with ease." "William is first-class."

(Personal Injury) "He has excellent client care skills and has great attention to detail." "William is an extremely skilled advocate and negotiator, and hugely knowledgeable when it comes to catastrophic injury work." "William is the absolute leader in this field and a truly collaborative team member." "He works like a Trojan and is responsive, collaborative and excellent on brain injury and fatal accidents." "William is absolutely excellent on all fronts." "No counsel compares when it comes to quantum and maximising client damages." "He is incredibly able and has a nice approach with clients." "William is a fantastic advocate with a forensic eye for detail." "His advice is always delivered in a calm and courteous manner, which makes him a joy to work with and a hit with clients." "His knowledge and expertise are second to none."

Legal 500 2025: (Clinical Negligence) “William is a superb barrister. He has an excellent manner with clients. He is a real details person and always ensures no stone is unturned in seeking to maximise damages for his clients. He is a real team player and a delight to work with.”

(Personal Injury) “Excellent eye for detail and a very good manner with clients. He is incredibly approachable, hugely bright and highly knowledgeable.”

Chambers & Partners 2024: (Clinical Negligence) "William is superb on quantum work in particular. He finds innovative ways to maximise damages for clients and get the very best results." "William is the king of quantum and a superb advocate." "He has a really good strategic way of approaching cases. He comes up with practical solutions that are feasible, achievable and most practical to resolve issues."

(Personal Injury) "His work on the quantum side of cases is forensic. He has a better understanding of how to value a claim than almost anyone else at the personal injury Bar." "His strategic detail and 'no stone unturned' approach is always in clients' best interests, pushing the boundaries of settlements.” "He has a really good strategic way of approaching cases. He comes up with practical solutions that are feasible, achievable and most practical to resolve issues." "He is a master of quantum."

Legal 500 2024: (Clinical Negligence) "Quantum advice of the very highest standard; and always ready with creative and thoughtful ideas."

(Personal Injury) “William can be counted on to add substantial value to every claim through his superlative knowledge and meticulous attention to detail.”

Chambers & Partners 2023: "William can be counted on to add substantial value to every claim through his superlative knowledge and meticulous attention to detail." "He is passionate about the work that he does and obtains excellent results for his clients." "His knowledge of quantum and instincts around the valuation of cases are in a league of their own." "His technical expertise in relation to the quantification of very high-value claims is second to none." "He is incredibly thorough, very detailed in his advice and can negotiate very good settlements for his clients." "He is forensic with expert evidence and building cases."

Legal 500 2023: (Clinical Negligence) “A leading member of the Bar on the question of quantum of damages.”

(Personal Injury) “One of the go-to silks on high-value catastrophic injury matters. He is a delight to work with. A genuine star and phenomenally gifted.”

Chambers & Partners 2022: (Personal Injury) The best silk in the country on quantum issues. He is a genuine star and is phenomenally gifted." "He is incredibly thorough, always well prepared and has great client care skills. He is really friendly and approachable."

(Clinical Negligence) "His medical knowledge is exceptional and he is outstanding on the quantification of claims." "The way he deals with clients is so sensitive and responsive, he immediately puts them at ease and his ability to reassure the client is amazing really." "He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of quantum and has excellent attention to detail." "He is one of the best people in the field - he is best known for quantum but is also an amazing liability silk."

Legal 500 2022: (Personal Injury) "William is the leading silk when it comes to quantum. He literally wrote the book on quantification of damages in personal injury cases."

(Clinical Negligence) "William has a phenomenal grasp of quantum issues – he is second to none."

Chambers & Partners 2021: "He excels in high-value quantum cases thanks to his amazing knowledge and attention to detail. He's an approachable advocate and a keen negotiator." "He's a truly excellent barrister and he has excellent client care skills." "He's outstanding - his knowledge of the practice area is very impressive." "A true catastrophic injury specialist." "He has great attention to detail and an excellent ability to translate his advice to make sure it is understandable for his clients." "The leading expert on quantum issues."

Legal 500 2021: “Has a superb ability to quantify and maximise the value of the most catastrophic cases.” “Has an unsurpassed knowledge of catastrophic injury claims and how to maximise their value.”

Chambers & Partners 2020: "His superb attention to detail and analytical skills are unrivalled. His impressive intellect, excellent interpersonal skills and ability to empathise with his clients puts him in a league of his own. He also has an understanding of novel and ground-breaking medical treatment." "His knowledge of quantum is excellent." "He is excellent – really understanding, compassionate and empathetic. He takes his time to get to know the client and find out what the issues are, and then provides sound, clear advice." "Unsurpassed for his knowledge on serious injury quantum issues."

Legal 500 2020: "He has unparalleled knowledge of quantum matters." "Highly skilled in handling catastrophic injury claims."

Chambers & Partners 2019: (Personal Injury) "Widely considered to be a leading light in the area, his practice is at the cutting edge of personal injury quantum. He has knowledge pertaining to a range of injuries including amputations and spinal cord injuries." "He's the guru on quantum." "He's extremely thorough, always well prepared and on top of his game."

(Clinical Negligence) "Applauded by market sources for his expertise in quantum, an area in which he is deemed to be unrivalled. He has a vast intellect and skill set, and is equally capable in handling clinical negligence and personal injury cases." "He is reassuring to clients and he achieves fantastic results." "An incomparable mastery of quantum and an innovative approach to cases." "His superb attention to detail and analytical skills are unrivalled. He is also an impressive advocate with excellent interpersonal skills."

Legal 500 2019: "Impressive intellect, great with clients, amazing attention to detail and brilliant on quantum."

Chambers & Partners 2018: "Applauded by market sources for his expertise in quantum, an area in which he is deemed to be unrivalled. He has a vast intellect and skill set, and is as happy handling clinical negligence and personal injury cases." "Fantastic. His knowledge of quantum is just outstanding." "An impressive advocate with excellent interpersonal skills."

Chambers & Partners 2016: "His attention to detail is extraordinary; over and above what other counsel would do."

Legal 500 2016: "In a class of his own and the weapon of choice for quantum cases."

Chambers & Partners 2014: "Revered by sources as a market leader for quantum cases." "An all-time favourite" for many instructing solicitors who value his "exceptional grasp of medical information" in the most difficult cases.

Legal 500 2014: "For some, Cloisters' William Latimer-Sayer is 'an absolute star, and the best personal injury junior in the UK." "Well known for his 'supreme abilities on quantum."

Chambers & Partners 2012: "Peers and lawyers acclaim the "accessible, savvy and meticulous" William Latimer-Sayer as a star performer whose "marvellous grasp of detail and level of attention to detail are second to none." "outstanding junior" who is known for his thoroughness and for his "mastery of quantum." He has a fantastic practice of high-value claims. His cases include Wasim Mohamed, which, at the time, was the highest-value reported settlement for a road traffic victim."

Chambers & Partners 2011: “A standout junior at the set who draws nationwide praise. A man of "superb intellect and great attention to detail," he is noted for the "innovative" approach he takes to cases. He has been acting for families in the Godstone Farm E. coli group action, and recently gained damages in excess of £6 million for the claimant in the tetraplegia case of Pankhurst v White." "phenomenally bright" junior barrister who deals mainly with claims involving catastrophic injuries. He is an expert on quantum, and is widely regarded as having been responsible for the greater attention now paid to this complex area."

Legal 500 2011: "destined for very high places” and is currently a “first-rate senior junior." “receives numerous accolades for his ‘tremendous mastery of quantum issues."

APIL

AvMA

PIBA

PNBA

Bar Pro Bono Unit

General editor of ‘Schedules of Loss: Calculating Damages', 3rd edition, Bloomsbury Publishing

Co-editor of The ABC of Medical Law, Blackwell Publishing

Contributor to Clinical Negligence a Practical Guide, 7th edition, Bloomsbury Publishing

Co-author, PIBA Handbook (3rd edition)

Numerous articles for personal injury and clinical negligence journals

LLB (Hons)

MA in Medical Law and Ethics

Robshaw v United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust [2015] EWHC 923 (QB); [2015] Med LR 339

JXMX v Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust [2015] EWCA Civ 96

Totham v King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [2015] EWHC 97 (QB); [2015] Med LR 55

Smith v Bailey [2014] EWHC 2569 (QB); [2015] PIQR P3

Coakley v Dr Rosie [2014] EWHC 1790 (QB)

Farrugia v Burtenshaw & others [2014] EWHC 1036 (QB)

Walton v AXA Belgium [2011] PIQR P12

Noble v Owens [2011] EWHC 534 (QB) – trial of remitted fraud allegations

Noble v Owens [2010] EWCA Civ 284

XXX v A Strategic Health Authority [2008] EWHC 2727 (QB)

Iqbal v Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust [2007] EWCA Civ 1190

A v Powys Local Health Board [2007] EWHC 2996 (QB)

Harcourt v Fef Griffin & Others [2007] PIQR Q9

Sarwar v (1) Ali (2) MIB [2007] LS Law Medical 375

Majrowski v Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust [2006] UKHL 34