Recognition follows almost three decades representing people in complex international injury cases
A leading Birmingham lawyer has received a prestigious European award recognising his decades of work supporting people seriously injured abroad.
Phil Banks, an international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham, has been named Lawyer of the Year by the Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers, a not-for-profit network that promotes co-operation between personal injury lawyers and access to justice for injured people across Europe.
The award is one of the most prestigious honours in European claimant personal injury litigation and was presented in recognition of Phil’s “extraordinary commitment” to injured people and international personal injury law.
His best-known work includes representing passengers and crew following the Costa Concordia disaster, in which the cruise ship capsized off Italy in 2012, resulting in 32 deaths and numerous injuries.
Phil and his team also acted in X v Kuoni, a landmark package holiday case that established that tour operators can be held responsible for sexual assaults committed by hotel or cruise ship staff. The case reached the Court of Justice of the European Union and created an important precedent for other survivors.
Phil has 29 years’ experience representing UK residents seriously injured while travelling or working abroad, as well as overseas visitors injured in the UK.
He joined Irwin Mitchell in 2000 and became a partner in 2008. He has been ranked in Chambers & Partners’ highest band for international personal injury claims for more than a decade and is named as a leading partner in the Legal 500 2025 guide.
Phil was presented with his award at the organisation’s annual conference in Rome in September.
Phil Banks, international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham, said: “Receiving this award is a huge personal honour, but it also reflects the talent, dedication, and hard work of so many people around me.
I have been privileged to work alongside exceptional colleagues and outstanding lawyers throughout my career, whose expertise and collaboration have continually inspired me. Above all, this recognition belongs equally to our remarkable clients, whose resilience, trust, and determination motivate us every day to strive for the very best outcomes.”
Demetrius Danas, Head of International Serious Injury at Irwin Mitchell, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see Phil recognised as PEOPIL’s Lawyer of the Year. Having worked alongside him for more than 23 years, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the extraordinary commitment, skill and compassion that he brings to every client and every case.
“Phil is one of the most highly respected lawyers in our international serious injury specialism and a hugely valued member of our team. His dedication to achieving the very best outcomes for injured people, combined with his generosity towards colleagues, makes this award thoroughly deserved. On behalf of the entire team at Irwin Mitchell, I offer Phil my warmest congratulations on this outstanding achievement.”
Ana Romero Porro, former President of PEOPIL, said: “Phil has always been someone who puts people first, be it clients, colleagues and, of course, family and friends. Behind all his immense legal expertise, the complex cases and the years of experience, he is a lawyer who genuinely cares about those around him and about making a difference.
“What makes this award particularly special is that Phil’s contribution goes far beyond his own cases. He has given so much to the wider personal injury profession, particularly through PEOPIL, sharing his knowledge and helping to bring colleagues from different countries together. He has always understood the importance of working collectively to improve the lives of injured people and to make sure that he stands strong for them, without boundaries.
“That is why this recognition is not simply an award for an outstanding lawyer. It is a tribute to someone who embodies the values of PEOPIL and who has never forgotten why this work matters.”