Professional Liability
Catherine was instructed in the ‘BCC HAVS Professional Negligence Litigation’ (now concluded) and represented a number of firms of Solicitors who were sued for professional negligence arising from their handling of the BCC HAVS compensation scheme. She appeared in a total of 14 contested trials from 2012 onwards and in the Court of Appeal on 2 occasions: see Barnaby v Raleys Solicitors [2014] EWCA Civ 686 and Procter v Raleys Solicitors [2015] EWCA Civ 400.
Selected Cases
- Ronald Barnaby v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 1LS03193
- Ronald Barnaby v Raleys Solicitors [2014] EWCA Civ 686
- Andrew Procter v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 9OL03967
- Andrew Procter v Raleys Solicitors [2015] EWCA Civ 400
- Clifton Anders v Avalon – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 2LS00449
- William Sharp v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 2YJ87483
- George Head v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Belcher – 1LS03608
- Graeme Gummerson v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 9OL03172
- Kevin Flanagan v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Saffman – 1LS03604
- Anthony J Connor v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Saffman – 2YJ83003
- Desmond Partridge v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Saffman – 90L03367
- Alan Crow v Raleys Solicitors (In Administration) Case No: 43YM869 Judgment of HHJ Gosnell 26 April 2021
Awards
News
- Crown Office Chambers shortlisted in 17 categories at The Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024
- Crown Office Chambers CoA success
Articles
- Crown Office Chambers CoA success
- Supreme Court hands down its judgment in BXB, concerning the issue of vicarious liability
Qualifications
- LLB, Nottingham University (1985)
Memberships
- Personal Injury Bar Association
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
Recommendations
“Catherine is a brilliant advocate who always exceeds expectations.”…”She is tenacious advocate who will not rest until every key point has been tested.”…”Catherine is swift to identify the core issues and ruthless in her focus.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Catherine is flexible and nimble. She adapts to the unfolding facts of the case always looking at the bigger picture and how to resolve matters in a pragmatic way.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Catherine Foster is an extremely thorough operator, a terrifically tenacious advocate who is extremely hard-working and a pleasure to deal with.”… “She’s extremely good at dealing with live evidence whether that’s expert or lay witnesses. She’s a very effective cross-examiner.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Catherine’s advocacy is outstanding. She has an ability to secure results that surpass all reasonable expectation.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Catherine is a formidable, tenacious advocate. She impresses clients and delivers commercially successful results without fail.” “She has excellent attention to detail and appreciates the commercial reality of dealing with claims.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
‘Catherine is an outstanding advocate with a superior ability to analyse the key issues; the results from hearings that Catherine deals with often exceed expectations.’
Legal 500, 2023
“Her advocacy is robust, clinical and to the point. She is sensitive to the specific goals and ethos of the client as well as having a solid understanding of legal and commercial risk.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“Absolutely superb in her field. She is a sophisticated, tough and clever negotiator with excellent client care skills. She is also a collaborative and thoughtful team player.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“An incredible advocate with an innate ability to construct a logical and persuasive legal argument.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Someone you want fighting your corner. Faultless expertise, practical, analytical style and great responsiveness and ability to adapt to client needs.”
Legal 500, 2021
“A formidable tactician and a real team player who really knows her stuff.” “She is excellent in cross-examinations.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“A tenacious and very clever advocate; she knows when to take points and when to leave them.”; “One of the best trial advocates in the market. She won’t let go of a witness once she has hold of them and has a very strong grasp of the evidence.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“She has a wealth of experience and very good attention to detail.”
Chambers & Partners, 2019
