In 2019 Normanton Chambers made legal history when, in celebration of the centenary of the first ever female to join the Inns of Court, it became the first set of chambers in the history of the Bar to be named after a woman.Building on the equality, excellence and equity advocated by Ms Helena Normanton KC, we are committed to the highest standards of advocacy, advice and client care in a number of specialised areas of civil and commercial law. About Andrea BarnesAs joint Head of Chambers with Jonathan Dingle, I was called to the Bar in 1999 and bring over 20 years' experience as a practising barrister. With the benefit of public access accreditation, I represent both claimants and defendants, with a particular emphasis on personal injury, clinical negligence, coroners’ inquests and costs cases.Described as a fearless and tenacious advocate, I am unafraid to embrace complex or unusual legal argument, and approach every case, from high to lower value matters, with the same enthusiasm and meticulous level of preparation. I consistently strive to maintain a close working relationship with both lay and professional clients alike and am regularly commended for my approachable and collaborative manner.My testimonials state:“Thorough and on the ball with a great sense of perspective, Andi is technically excellent and always incredibly well prepared. A very accomplished and safe pair of hands, she consistently provides a sterling service.” “Her humanity, maturity and experience... has enabled her to work with empathy in the most difficult of circumstances, whilst offering high-quality advocacy and advice.”I am also a door tenant with Complete Counsel, specialising in complex costs matters, and sit on the costs panel for the Medical Protection Society. For more information, or to discuss my availability or fees, call 0300 0300 218 or email andrea.barnes@normantonchambers.com .

Trust Mediation is the UK's only specialist provider of personal injury mediation. As a not-for-profit organisation we provide an affordable fixed-fee service from a panel of expert mediators in personal injury and clinical negligence disputes.Why Trust Mediation?Trust Mediation panel mediators are all highly experienced personal injury practitioners, whose substantial industry knowledge and expertise can help you to successfully resolve your dispute without recourse to the courts.At Trust Mediation we offer tailored in-house training for claimant and defendant lawyers, enabling you to get the best results for your clients at mediation, as well as observation opportunities for newly-qualified mediators. Trust Mediation is also an appointed specialist provider of mediation services for NHS Resolution. Through this scheme, where mediation is deemed suitable, access will be given to an independent and accredited mediator selected from an expert panel.Why Andrea Barnes? As a director and valued member of the Trust Mediation panel, I specialise in resolving complex personal injury and clinical negligence disputes, with a particular niche in dealing with neonate deaths, dental negligence, catastrophic injury and specialised costs cases.Within the context of highly emotive disputes that, typically, have had a life-changing impact on those involved, I am able to gently guide the parties toward a negotiated agreement on mutually acceptable terms. Described as having a calm and level-headed approach to complex and challenging disputes, I have helped numerous parties overcome their obstacles to settlement over the past 15 years.What do others say?“Andrea was a calming presence in what started as an acrimonious mediation but ultimately resulted in an amicable resolution.” For more information on how I can help you or your client, call 020 7353 3237 or email andrea.barnes@trustmediation.org.uk .You can also visit www.trustmediation.org.uk to find out more.

Clerksroom is a leading award-winning national chambers of barristers and mediators providing advocacy, advice and dispute resolution services throughout England & Wales.During my time at Clerksroom I undertook a mixture of civil and commercial work, specialising in personal injury, clinical negligence, consumer credit, credit hire, contracts and costs.As Head of Costs at Clerksroom between 2012 and 2018, I handled all aspects of costs litigation for both claimants and defendants, including but not limited to predictive costs, premature issue, issue-based costs arguments, joint and several liability costs arguments, as well as ATE and success fee issues both pre- and post-Jackson.With my knowledge of costs described as “second to none”, I was instructed in a leading private equity initiative to undertake an extensive analysis of the costs market post-Jackson reforms. I also acted as consultant to a leading insurer on “ways to minimise financial leakage in personal injury and clinical negligence claims”.In addition to establishing a successful practice as a barrister at the Independent Bar, I co-worked as a mediator in civil and commercial law, drawing on my extensive litigation experience to help facilitate negotiated settlements for others in a wide range of difficult disputes.

Having begun my legal career as a litigation executive at Davies Arnold Cooper, a leading personal injury firm based in the city, I qualified as a barrister and was called to the Bar in 1999.Appointed in-house counsel at the firm, I handled a wide range of high-value and complex defendant insurer personal injury claims within the road traffic, employment liability and public liability departments, including fatal and catastrophic injuries.I also gained invaluable insight into the claims process and insurer protocols through secondments with Zurich and Eagle Star.During my time at Davies Arnold Cooper, I acted as the liaison contact for the Road Accident Fund in South Africa, a scheme designed to facilitate arbitrations in claims where UK residents had sustained a motor-accident related personal injury.I was also responsible for setting up a costs department within the firm, undertaking specialised costs and case management training, and acting as the point of contact.In 2011, Davies Arnold Cooper and Beachcroft merged to form DAC Beachcroft. With over 2,000 legal professionals, DAC Beachcroft now combines one of the most comprehensive UK legal networks with coverage across Europe, Latin America, North America and Asia Pacific.