Gerard is a renowned silk who specialises in brain injury and spinal injury cases for adults and children. He also has a wealth of experience dealing with claims for amputees, pain and somatoform disorders. His career has developed both at the junior bar and in silk, where he has been instructed almost exclusively by those acting for claimants (including those employed in the military) save for certain occasions when insurance companies have sought his assistance.
The majority of his work in silk has been for clients with severe brain injuries, resulting as the consequence of accidents or by way of clinical negligence. Through his vast experience he knows that each case of severe brain injury is unique and with this in mind he believes it unwise to generalise about outcomes, and that much depends upon the individual and the support they receive. Practising in this sphere has meant that the experts on both sides of the litigation divide are known to him, as are the centres of excellence for rehabilitation of the brain injured.
Gerard prides himself on ensuring each client, especially in cases where they may lack capacity to make decisions themselves, has a clear understanding of each action he will undertake on their behalf. He believes that by visiting the client and their family at home, hospital or rehabilitation unit enables him to gain a better understanding of the important issues in their lives. This in turn enables him to work hard to ensure the best possible outcome.
His working ethos aims to encourage and promote teamwork between client, solicitor, counsel and their expert advisors. He believes he works best when instructed at the outset of the case. This enables him to bring his considerable influence to its direction and to assist with ensuring the best experts to assist each client. Gerard applies this philosophy when also managing claims for spinal injury, amputees, complex regional pain syndrome and other somatoform disorders.
Often cases settle by negotiation rather than trial in court. This is where Gerard provides real expertise and value. One of his recognised skills is the preparation for and conduct of the negotiations which may lead to the conclusion of the case. He has a tried and tested ability to foresee well in advance the arguments to be deployed against his client, to gather the evidence and serve in advance of the meeting so as to defeat those arguments.