A treat this week for those of our Dekagram readers who are fans of French art and German philosophy – surely the overwhelming majority? – as Thomas Yarrow considers when a claim is not a claim. Meanwhile Kerry Nicholson examines when relief from sanctions might not be ordered, and finds that Formula 1 motorsport is a murky world. 🔗 dekachambers.com/2026/10/19/… ➡️ Read about Thomas Yarrow's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/t… ➡️ Read about Kerry Nicholson's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/k… #Dekagram #TravelLaw #PersonalInjury

We look forward to attending The Bar Council of England and Wales Pupillage Fair tomorrow, on Saturday 17 October 2026. Come and meet: ➡️ our pupils, Olivia Campbell, Rebecca Argall and Catherine McLean, ➡️ two of our junior tenants, Amelia Katz and Anirudh Mandagere, and ➡️ the heads of pupillage, Eleanor Mawrey KC and William Dean at our stall. Deka Chambers is a leading common law set based in London. We will advertise for up to four pupillages to start in October 2028. 🔗 You can see our pupillage page here: dekachambers.com/careers/pup… #DekaChambers #Pupillage

Jennie Oborne acted for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in respect of a claim brought by a man whose car was subject to a controlled explosion by police outside the City of London Magistrates’ Court. The Claimant alleged direct and indirect discrimination, breaches of Article 8, A1 and A14 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Trespass to Goods. Following a three day trial, HHJ Ashby at the Central London County Court dismissed the Claimant’s claim in its entirety and permitted the Commissioner to enforce 60% of its costs pursuant to CPR 44.16. Jennie was instructed by Andrew Steel of Weightmans LLP. Read more about Jennie's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/j… #DekaChambers #PoliceLaw

Stephen Glynn and Laura Elfield will be speaking at the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)’s Asbestos Conference 2026 this Thursday, 15 October. Stephen will chair a session titled ‘Pitfalls and best practice in asbestos litigation’, and Laura will present a talk on ‘Protected parties in asbestos claims’. This is an opportunity to hear from specialists on the latest developments in asbestos litigation. 🔗 Find out more and book here: apil.org.uk/event/APILasbest… #DekaChambers #AsbestosLitigation #IndustrialDisease

Much of children law involves the exploration of the facts relating to the child’s care and welfare, often coloured by the complex relationship dynamics between the adult protagonists. Occasionally, however, the facts which need to be established can be more fundamental. In 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐯 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 [2026] 𝐄𝐖𝐇𝐂 415 (𝐅𝐚𝐦), Judd J had to decide a preliminary factual issue in a private law children application that went to the heart of the case: did the two children exist at all? 🔗 Read a case summary here: dekachambers.com/2026/10/09/… Edward Lamb KC and Kate Lamont were instructed on behalf of the Respondent by Carolina Marín Pedreño and Kandice Phillips of Dawson Cornwell. #DekaChambers #FamilyLaw

In this week's Dekagram Ben Rodgers considers whether forensic accountancy evidence is actually expert evidence at all; and Charlie Stonehill provides us with another warning on the use of artificial intelligence. These cases are coming thick and fast now – we respectfully suggest our readers consider how and when they use these tools, both as firms and as individuals. 🔗 dekachambers.com/2026/10/12/… ➡️ Read about Ben's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/b… ➡️ Read about Charlie's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/c… #Dekagram #TravelLaw #PersonalInjury

The October issue of the Family Dekagram begins with an article by Tim Parker KC on the very recent 𝐑𝐞 𝐂 (𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬; 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞; 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭) [𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔] 𝐄𝐖𝐂𝐀 𝐂𝐢𝐯 𝟏𝟐𝟏𝟔 decision. Tim's article helpfully summarises how the Child Focused Courts work, which now runs in 10 courts including the whole of Wales. The article puts these courts in the wider context of domestic abuse case law: the necessity for fact-finding and interaction with FPR PD12J. This is a must read for practitioners. 🔗 Read Tim's article here: dekachambers.com/2026/10/06/… We then move on to Laura Hibberd's article which reviews 𝐑𝐞 𝐄 (𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝) (𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬) [𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔] 𝐄𝐖𝐂𝐀 𝐂𝐢𝐯 𝟏𝟏𝟔𝟕. This case is an important reminder that threshold should not be overlooked in cases where a care plan is for a SGO. Courts must still address threshold to identify the risks to the child in order to properly consider the necessity and proportionality of the proposed care plan. SGOs are not a soft option but are a significant interference with the rights of the subject child, particularly if placement is outside of family. 🔗 Read Laura's article here: dekachambers.com/2026/10/06/… If you would like subscribe and receive the newsletter in your inbox, please email [email protected] #DekaChambers #FamilyLaw #FamilyLawDekagram

We are delighted to announce that Beatrice Fatungase and Charlie Blair have accepted invitations to join Deka Chambers as tenants following the successful completion of pupillage. During pupillage, both Beatrice and Charlie demonstrated the qualities that make outstanding advocates: intellectual ability, sound judgement, commitment to clients and a strong work ethic. We are pleased that they have chosen to continue their careers at Deka Chambers. Before joining chambers, Beatrice worked as a Crown Court Clerk where she gained insight into the workings of a busy London criminal court and she volunteered at a pro bono legal clinic, while Charlie gained experience as a paralegal and represented clients before the Social Security Tribunal, alongside pro bono work supporting vulnerable adults and children. We warmly congratulate Beatrice and Charlie on this significant achievement and look forward to watching their practices develop as members of Deka Chambers. 🔗 Read more about Beatrice’s practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/b… 🔗 Read more about Charlie ’s practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/c… #DekaChambers

Deka Chambers is pleased to announce that Rebecca Argall, Olivia Campbell and Catherine McLean have joined Deka Chambers as pupils. Rebecca, Olivia, and Catherine will be working across all of chambers’ core areas in civil, crime and family law over the coming months. Everyone at Deka Chambers warmly welcomes them to chambers and wishes them well. 🔗 For more information on pupillage please see our website: dekachambers.com/careers/pup… #DekaChambers #Pupillage

This week we welcome Daniel Boal to the Dekagram family. Daniel, who was called in 2020 and who will continue to practice out of Manchester, brings us news this week of developments within the European Union relating to the Denied Boarding Regulation, amendments which will surely result in ever increasing divergence between the position governed by EU and by UK law in this sphere. Meanwhile, Conor Kennedy examines a case on res judicata and whether it is a matter of substantive or procedural law – a question which we would have thought would come up more frequently. 🔗 dekachambers.com/2026/10/05/… ➡️ Read about Daniel's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/d… ➡️ Read about Conor's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/c… #Dekagram #TravelLaw #PersonalInjury

We are pleased to welcome Hannah Ritchie to Deka Chambers. Hannah specialises in civil and commercial litigation, with particular expertise in civil fraud and personal injury. As part of her personal injury practice, she is regularly instructed on employers’ liability, public liability, credit hire and trials concerning allegations of exaggeration of injuries, fundamental dishonesty, and deliberate layering. Her experience also includes commercial contractual disputes, landlord and tenant matters and property/real estate litigation. Hannah welcomes instructions across all areas of Chambers' commercial and civil practice including clinical negligence and travel law. 🔗 Read more about Hannah’s practice: dekachambers.com/barrister/h… #DekaChambers

Heading to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) Clinical Negligence Conference 2026? Come and say hello to Jaime Brooks and Jay Levell at the Deka Chambers stand. They look forward to catching up with colleagues, clients and friends old and new. 📍 Celtic Manor Resort, South Wales 📅 30 September - 2 October 📌 Stand 2 #APILCN26 #ClinicalNegligence #DekaChambers #APIL

🗓️ [DEKINAR] 🗓️𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧: 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦 Clinical negligence claims involving children bring unique and complex challenges. In this Dekinar, Laura Elfield and Kerry Nicholson will provide practical guidance for practitioners on how to navigate issues that may arise in litigation, causation and quantum. This will include conferences, litigation friends, establishing pre-index baseline in brain/psychiatric injury claims, care claims, future loss of earnings, uncertain prognoses, interim payments, and obtaining approval. This Dekinar will provide valuable guidance on pitfalls to watch for in clinical negligence claims involving children, and how to navigate them. 🗓️ Thursday 8 October ⏰ 12pm- 1pm 🔗 dekachambers.com/2026/09/24/… #DekaChambers #ClinicalNegligence

In this week's Travel Law Dekagram those readers not fortunate enough to be at the The Pan-European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL) conference in Rome may access the presentation given by Julia Brechtelsbauer on baby loss resulting from clinical negligence, with a bonus on comparative law; whilst 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐬 keeps an eye on caselaw emanating from the Court of Justice of the European Union relating to the Montreal Convention on carriage of passengers by air. 🔗 dekachambers.com/2026/09/28/… ➡️ Read about 𝐓𝐨𝐦's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/t… ➡️ Read about Julia's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/j… #Dekagram #TravelLaw #PersonalInjury

We were delighted to welcome the team from Clyde & Co earlier this week for a Greek-themed drinks evening. A huge thank you to everyone from Clyde & Co who joined us and helped make it such an enjoyable evening. It was a pleasure to catch up over drinks and fantastic Greek food from Ana's Deli run by the talented chef Ana Hasa. #DekaChambers

How closely must grooming behaviour be connected to a person's role before an organisation can be held vicariously liable? Jack Harding compares recent English and Canadian authorities, examining where courts draw the line between opportunity, trust, authority and liability, and asking whether the chain of causation has truly been broken. Read his latest article: dekachambers.com/2026/09/23/… #DekaChambers #VicariousLiability #AbuseClaims

🎉 Congratulations to 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐊𝐂 on winning the Personal Injury Silk of the Year Award at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2026 🎉 This award is a recognition of Andrew's outstanding advocacy, exceptional client service, and longstanding contribution to personal injury law. Widely respected by clients, solicitors, and peers alike, Andrew's work continues to set the standard in complex and high-value personal injury litigation. Many congratulations to Andrew from everyone at Deka Chambers. #Legal500Awards #PersonalInjury #DekaChambers

The team had a lovely time in Rome this week, attending the The Pan-European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL) annual conference, sightseeing and eating its own weight in pasta and gelato. Julia Brechtelsbauer gave a presentation on claims arising from baby loss, and we were fascinated to hear from Giacomo Travaglino and Marco Bona and from Sean Domnick on the Italian and American experience respectively. The pleasure and interest to be had from discussing comparative law with likeminded colleagues is one of the best things about attending PEOPIL conferences – we hope to see our readers in Malaga in due course at the joint maritime and tourism & sports conference. In the meantime, there is much interest to be had from legal developments closer to home – this week Dominique Smith examines a sad case involving dishonesty and the love a parent has for their child, whilst Anirudh Mandagere brings news of a consultation on inquests potentially involving unlawful killing. 🔗 dekachambers.com/2026/09/21/… ➡️ Read about Dominique's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/d… ➡️ Read about Anirudh's practice here: dekachambers.com/barrister/a… #Dekagram #TravelLaw #PersonalInjury

A new article by Jack Harding examines why courts must look beyond foreseeable harm and focus on proportionality when assessing breach of duty in negligence claims. Using the recent Court of Appeal decision in 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐯 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 & 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐫 [2026] 𝐄𝐖𝐂𝐀 𝐂𝐢𝐯 1095, Jack argues that foreseeability is only the starting point. The real question is whether a defendant's response to a risk was reasonable and proportionate in light of the likelihood of injury and the seriousness of the potential outcome. The article explores misconceptions that can distort the analysis of risk and proportionality, drawing on authorities from the UK and Australia to demonstrate why a more rigorous approach is required. 📖 Read the full article: dekachambers.com/2026/09/16/… #DekaChambers #PersonalInjury