Oliver Celensu

Background

Oliver was called to the Bar in 2018 and undertook pupillage under the supervision of Michael Jones. He joined Cobden House Chambers as a tenant in November 2022.

Oliver practices in all areas of personal injury and clinical negligence. He accepts instructions from both the Claimants and Defendants. Oliver has a particular interest in occupiers’ and employers’ liability claims.

Oliver has significant experience in all small claims and fast-track matters including allocation hearings, interim applications, disposal hearings, trials, show cause hearings and general costs. He has experience in multi-track trials, costs and case management hearings, way forward meetings, joint settlement meetings, and he regularly advises on multi-track matters on paper.

Oliver will undertake work on a Conditional Fee Agreement where appropriate. He is happy to discuss matters in advance of formal instructions.

Expertise

Within his practice, Oliver has experience in the following cases:

• -Road Traffic Accidents

• -Public Liability

• -Employers’ Liability

• -Occupiers’ Liability

• -Catastrophic injury claims including amputations and traumatic brain injuries

• -Credit hire and subrogated losses

• -Highways Act claims

• -Holiday sickness

• -Dental claims

• -Official Injury Claims portal

• -Inquests

• -Fraud and fundamental dishonesty including low-velocity impacts

• -Costs

• -Clinical negligence

Oliver has a busy paper practice including:

• -Particulars of claim

• -Schedules of Loss/Special Damages

• -Advice on liability, quantum, contributory negligence, next steps etc.

• -Defences and counter schedules of loss/special damages

• -Part 35 questions

• -Part 18 questions

Oliver is experienced in conducting conferences with clients and medical experts.

Oliver is an accredited ADR-ODR civil-commercial mediator.

Oliver provides seminars to solicitors and insurers on a range of topics.

Before pupillage, Oliver was an analyst at a Tier 2 investment bank following which he joined an international law firm working on catastrophic injury claims for major insurer clients. He has also worked pro-bono on the Zambrano EU Settlement Scheme.

Other

Outside of the law, Oliver is a violist and underwent professional training at Chetham’s School of Music. He is a qualified football referee and enjoys training in rugby and Krav Maga. He is involved in charity work and has raised more than £50,000 for registered charities in Manchester.

• Case 1 – Oliver was led by Marc Willems KC in a claim where the Claimant sustained life changing injuries as a result of a malfunction in his parachute during a workplace accident. The claim was settled during the course of the trial.

• Case 2 – Oliver was led by Marc Willems KC in a claim where the Claimant sustained catastrophic injuries to his leg in a road traffic accident. The Defendant admitted primary liability but alleged, without foundation, contributory negligence. By adopting a collaborative approach with the Defendant, the Claimant was able to settle the claim at the second way forward meeting avoiding a further 18-24 months of litigation. However, the settlement was reached at the way forward meeting that took place the day before a very substantial interim payment application that was listed in the High Court. By being prepared to disclose all of the available medical and quantum evidence available for the purposes of seeking the large Interim Payment the Claimant allowed the Defendant to see the weight of the evidence in the Claimant’s favour which contributed to the parties being able to settle for the sum of £6.455 million. 

Personal Injury Bar Association

LLB Law – University of Birmingham

BPTC – Manchester Law School

ADR ODR Civil-Commercial Mediator