No5 Chambers votes in new head after death of Ralph Lewis QC

No5 Chambers has elected Paul Bleasdale QC as its new head of chambers following the death of Ralph Lewis QC.

Bleasdale was voted in by a members' vote after Lewis passed away earlier this month following a battle with cancer.

Lewis, who specialised in catastrophic injury claims, clinical and professional negligence as well as motor racing accidents, was called to the Bar in 1978 and took silk in 1999. He was an elected Bar Council member between 1999 and 2002 and became head of No5 Chambers in 2007.

Bleasdale, who specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence cases, was called to the Bar in 1978 and appointed silk in 2001. He has served as deputy head of No5 since 2007, when Lewis was elected head.

Rex Tedd QC and Ian Dove QC will both continue in their respective roles as deputy head of chambers.

Bleasdale commented: "I am honoured and privileged to have been elected as the new head and aim to build on the outstanding work that Ralph Lewis QC did on behalf of No5 Chambers. Through Ralph's leadership we have prospered and become a highly successful and forward thinking set, both nationally and internationally.

"It saddens me to be taking over as head in such tragic circumstances. Ralph was a not only a trusted colleague but also a close friend."

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