A number of the leading juniors mentioned last year for personal injury and medical negligence have taken silk this year, but others previously singled out continue to provide excellent junior counsel. There are also plenty of new names grabbing the attention of lawyers, although some claim there is a shortage of quality counsel at middle junior level. The subjective views of leading lawyers provided the following pick list.

Two sets in particular, 3 Serjeants' Inn and 1 Crown Office Row, have a plethora of junior talent in medical negligence. At 3 Serjeants' Inn, Huw Lloyd, "an extremely nice man", and the "robust" Fiona Neale and Mary O'Rourke are highly praised, as is Michael Horne. At the same set, John Beggs, Jonathan Holl-Allen, George Hugh-Jones and James Watson are also mentioned.

At 1 Crown Office Row, Paul Rees – "a likely leader" – is once again at the front of the wanted queue for many lawyers. Margaret Bowron and David Hart are also said to be good value, and William Edis, Martin Forde and David Evans are all commended. However, the bright young star of the chambers is Philippa Whipple, described as "very impressive" by lawyers who have worked with her and against her in medical negligence cases.

Another rising legal star is Michael Nicholson, at 2 Field Court, who is singled out by one lawyer as "excellent, he inspires confidence and is extremely thorough". Joel Donovan, at New Court Chambers, is another relatively new kid on the block who "knows what he is talking about". Two more senior juniors at the chambers, Peter Latham and Duncan Pratt, are both highly rated.

Roger Henderson QC's set, at 2 Harcourt Buildings, is another chambers with strength in depth at junior counsel level. James Palmer, Benjamin Battcock, Roger Eastman and Charles Gibson are all recommended, while Jonathan Harvey is said to "be everything you need in a barrister" and an excellent defendant in disease cases.

The 2 Temple Gardens set also received its fair share of glory with the "outstanding" Stephen Archer and Daniel Pearce-Higgins both repeatedly commended, and Henry de Lotbiniere and Christopher Russell also mentioned.

Similarly, 6 Pump Court is well-represented in the honours. Christina Lambert, in particular, has a very good reputation and is admired by lawyers she has acted against as well as for. Also at Kieran Coonan's set, Siobhan Goodrich, Andrew Hockton, Dr Simon Taylor, and Annalissa Garrett are said "to know their onions", the most notable being Taylor, who is medically qualified.

Meanwhile, Jane Mishcon at 4 Paper Buildings, remains a favourite due to her "super" manner with clients. Her colleague, Derek Holwill, also receives praise. At One Paper Buildings, Shaun Ferriss and Jonathan Waite are commended for their defence advocacy in industrial cases.

The set at Old Square Chambers receives numerous accolades. Matthias Kelly, Toby Kempster, Nigel Cooksley, Barry Cotter and Christopher Walker are all mentioned. But senior junior Charles Lewis is most admired – "brilliant at giving advice on causation", "he doesn't muck about", and "not afraid to be honest" are some of the plaudits that he received.

Another senior junior, Guy Anthony at 2 Crown Office Row, is commended for his "pleasant and unpompous approach" and his convincing manner.

Old hand Charles Gibson, at Fountain Court Chambers, is described as a good and articulate advocate in personal injury. Simon Browne-Wilkinson at the same chambers is also singled out.

Allan Gore, at 12 King's Bench Walk, is recommended and fellow tenant Andrew Hogarth is mentioned for his expertise in industrial injury cases. Meanwhile, at 9 Bedford Row, the women take the bows, with both Kate Thirlwall and Louise Varty considered "very able".

Sarah Edwards, at Queen Elizabeth Buildings, which is headed by Ian Karsten QC, is another much-vaunted female barrister who many believe will go far. David Bradly at the same set is also recommended.

At 35 Essex Street, David Westcott, Andrew Spink, William Coley and Stephen Climie are considered excellent counsel for plaintiffs in personal injury work, and are "prepared to fight cases and win maximum damages". Next door, at 39 Essex Street, Charles Brown is praised for his dealings with clients and experts.

Several barristers at 13 King's Bench Walk are singled out. Senior juniors Alexander Dawson, David Richardson and the "superb" Deirdre Goodwin are mentioned, as is the more junior Andrew Glennie. At Doughty Street Chambers, Robin Oppenheim takes the eye again this year.

Others whose names come up time after time are John Foy at 9 Gough Square, Charlotte Jones at 5 Bell Yard, Philip Lehain at 199 Strand, John Ross at No. 1 Serjeants' Inn and Andrew Buchan at Cloisters, which is headed by Laura Cox QC. And finally, one to watch for the future is solicitor-turned-barrister Philip Rogers at 22 Old Buildings.