Elizabeth Murray

RECOMMENDATIONS

"Could you pass on my thanks to Liz who was extremely impressive as well as very reassuring, straight-forward and helpful. We were definitely in safe hands."

"Can you thank Miss Murray for the way in which she dealt with this matter today. She brought compassion and sensitivity into her professional dealings with the client for which I am most grateful."

PROFILE

Elizabeth is routinely instructed to act for both Claimants and Defendants in personal injury claims worth in the region of £500,000, and has acted in cases valued over £1.5 million.

She accepts instructions in all areas of civil litigation including road traffic accidents (being routinely instructed to act for Defendants in cases alleging fraud), occupiers' liability, employers' liability, product liability and highway claims.

She has particular enthusiasm for a unique field of litigation involving the Animals Act 1971, and specifically imports her personal knowledge and experience of all things equine into claims involving horses and riders.

Elizabeth has an approachable and down to earth manner with both her professional and lay clients. She appreciates that litigation can be extremely stressful and will endeavour to put clients at ease. Elizabeth invites instruction at an early stage and appreciates involvement as a case progresses, favouring the teamwork approach to cases which developed prior to her career at the Bar when working for HM Revenue and Customs as an instructing paralegal. At that time Elizabeth had responsibility for a caseload valued in excess of £100 million and accordingly remembers the pressures associated with the same and the management of client expectations.

When she is not in court, drafting pleadings, or conducting conferences, Elizabeth can be found at the stables with her horse. She is also a keen open water swimmer being a firm believer in its benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Elizabeth is also Chair of the Nine Lives Committee, a charitable fund operated by 9 St John Street Chambers.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

SERIOUS INJURIES

Recent examples include:

L v A (2023) - L, in his 20s, had been involved in an accident at work which resulted in a below the knee amputation. Elizabeth advised in conference on liability and was led by Nicholas Hinchcliffe KC to achieve settlement in the sum of £950,000.00

W v R (2023) - Elizabeth advised on liability and quantum in a matter concerning loss of an eye. The case is ongoing.

E v A (2022) - Elizabeth advised the Claimant and drafted a Schedule of Loss of £750,000, and thereafter negotiated settlement at a JSM, in a claim concerning an unusual injury which was the subject of multiple expert reports and highly contested causation arguments.

INSURANCE FRAUD

Elizabeth is frequently instructed on behalf of insurance companies in claims concerning fundamental dishonesty and such work forms a substantial part of her practice.

She is often instructed in fast-track matters and notably in 2022 Elizabeth successfully defended Esure insurance and secured a finding of fundamental dishonesty against Scott Timlin ('Scotty T'), the reality TV star who appeared in 'Geordie Shore.' The case included the use of social media posts. For article and links to media coverage click HERE.

In 2019 she secured a finding of fundamental dishonesty on behalf of the MIB, and an enforceable costs order in the sum of £27,000 following the Claimant's notice of discontinuance. The case involved the use of covert audio recordings obtained by the First Defendant.

She is also asked to advise defendants, and act, in claims involving the use of surveillance footage.

EQUESTRIAN CLAIMS

With her equestrian background, and familiarity with terminology and practical matters, Elizabeth is often asked to act on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in claims involving horses.

Examples include:

D v E (2018) - Elizabeth acted on behalf of an insurer. The claim was brought by a landowner for damage to her property after a horse owned by the insured fell through her conservatory roof.

H v F (2019) - Elizabeth acted on behalf of a farrier against whom a claim had been brought. It was alleged that through his negligence the horse had been put to sleep and a claim was pursued for its loss. The claim failed after trial.

J v L (2020) - Elizabeth co-defended a 3 day multi-track claim in which it was alleged that the permanent nature of the injuries suffered had resulted in increased costs relating to the Claimant's horses. Elizabeth cross-examined on all heads of loss relating to the ownership of the horses, resulting in allegations of fundamental dishonesty being put, pursuant to which the Claimant discontinued her claim mid-trial.

In 2023 Elizabeth has acted on behalf of two insurance companies in claims concerning the loss of use of horses and the valuation thereof. In one claim she has drafted the defence and the matter is ongoing. In another she was able to successfully negotiate settlement.

ANIMALS ACT CLAIMS

It follows that Elizabeth has equally been involved in claims brought pursuant to the Animals Act.

In 2022 she was able to secure settlement in an equestrian claim, concerning activities on the hunting field, which had been listed for a 5 day trial, involving expert evidence and 12 lay witnesses.

Also in 2022 she successfully defended a riding school in a claim alleging that the horse had bucked the rider off as a result of being electrocuted.

She is often instructed in dog bite claims, on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants, and will be co-presenting a seminar on this topic in September 2023.

EMPLOYERS / PUBLIC LIABILITY AND HIGHWAYS CLAIMS

Recent examples include:

D v B (2019) - represented the employer, who was without insurance, in a multi-track claim brought by a former employee for an accident sustained at work. Elizabeth cross-examined the Claimant during the course of which he accepted that the accident occurred in a different way for which it was found that the Defendant could not have been liable.

H v D (2020) - Elizabeth drafted a robust defence including allegations of fundamental dishonesty on behalf of a Defendant employer, who was without insurance, pursuant to which the Claimant discontinued his claim.

R v S (2023) - represented the Claimant in a fast track claim involving an accident at work. Elizabeth advised from the outset of the claim, on both liability and tactics, and successfully represented the Claimant at trial, resulting in a favourable costs order of £25,000, including indemnity costs.