Firms To Watch: Clinical negligence: claimant

Switalskis Solicitors opened its London office in August 2022, with a clinical negligence offering led by David Thomas focusing on high-value catastrophic claimant work.

Clinical negligence: claimant in London

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher‘s ‘absolutely brilliant’ clinical negligence team is noted for its ‘deep experience and fantastic resources’. The team has a client-centred approach, and offers support regarding special education needs and Court of Protection matters alongside its complex clinical negligence work. This work often includes claims involving brain injuries at birth, an area in which Samantha Critchley – noted for her ‘meticulous work and commitment to clients‘ – has particular experience. ‘Wonderful litigatorIona Meeres-Young leads the team, having taken over from previous head Paul McNeil in May 2023. McNeil remains a key member of the team and ‘a glowering presence across the field‘. Mark Bowman is an ‘intelligent and fearless litigator‘, with particular experience in claims involving Erb’s Palsy, while Jane Weakley brings her ‘huge experience’ to cases concerning the rights of birth-injured children. Kate Rohde deals predominantly with serious and fatal injury claims, while Jonathan Zimmern – who is also a qualified barrister – is another standout in the team. Arti Shah has particular interest in fertility cases. Legal director Punam Sood joined the team June 2023 from Irwin Mitchell.

Practice head(s):

Iona Meeres-Young


Other key lawyers:

Samantha Critchley; Kate Rohde; Jane Weakley; Paul McNeil; Mark Bowman; Jonathan Zimmern; Arti Shah; Caron Heyes; Will Jones; Deborah Nadel; Helen Thompson; Emma Kendall; Sevim Ahmet, Nilam Patel; Punam Sood; Christina Gardiner


Testimonials

‘Arti Shah was so compassionate and understanding of our case. She was always there to explain how legal practices worked and the complexities of the medical notes and case itself.’

‘Head and shoulders above every other team in the country. It is a superbly led team with deep experience and fantastic resources which is repeatedly successful.’

‘Paul McNeil must be the best litigator in this field: hugely intelligent, tough, efficient, a glowering presence across the field.’

‘Iona Meeres-Young is a wonderful litigator with great calm under fire and excellent judgement.’

‘Samantha Critchley: outstanding preparation, meticulous work and commitment to clients.’

‘Mark Bowman is a fast, efficient, intelligent and fearless litigator.’

‘Jane Weakley is a great lawyer with huge experience, and Jonathan Zimmern too. All of the team members handle the most difficult and heaviest cases successfully.’

‘Definitely the leading firm for clinical negligence – an absolutely brilliant team – all the partners are fantastic at dealing with a heavy caseload of difficult cases and getting amazing results in reasonable time scale which is so important for claimants.’

Work highlights


  • Settled a birth injury claim on behalf of a young twin girl left with cerebral palsy following negligent delays in delivery.
  • Represented a claimant who lost of all four limbs aged four after staff at Frimley Park Hospital failed to recognise and treat her for meningitis and sepsis, settling the claim for a capitalised sum in the region of £39m, with the majority of settlement in the form of annual payments for life for care and prosthetics.
  • Acted on a birth injury claim arising from Erb’s Palsy, and reached a £2.6m settlement.

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell fields ‘a first-class national practice with extensive experience‘, especially in claims involving brain injuries sustained at birth and neurological injuries in adults. The team’s support and rehabilitation coordinators are a key element of their practice, focusing on securing interim payments and facilitating rehab services for clients – an area in which Richard Kayser is particularly involved. Auriana Griffiths leads the team ‘from the front by her example of hard endeavour‘, predominantly handling birth injury claims including neonatal hypoglycaemia and cerebral palsy arising from birth asphyxia, an area in which Anita Jewitt also has notable experience. Claims involving spinal injury are another area of strength for the team, with Alison Eddy standing out particularly for her work in the field. Ian Christian has a sub-specialism in sporting injuries arising from substandard treatment provided by medical staff. Leena Savjani is noted for her ‘ability to navigate the complexity of the legal and medical issues with ease‘, and has specialist experience in inquest work and coronial law. Anne Kavanagh leads on the firm’s Maternity Matters training program nationally.

Practice head(s):

Auriana Griffiths


Other key lawyers:

Alison Eddy; Ian Christian; Anita Jewitt; Anne Kavanagh; Richard Kayser; Shivi Nathan; Leena Savjani; Alexandra Winch; Lauren Hurney; Rebecca Cherry; Kate Major; Tom Gough


Testimonials

‘Irwin Mitchell’s clinical negligence team is large and bursting with talent and enthusiasm.’

‘Auriana Griffiths leads from the front by her example of hard endeavour, bringing her clients with her at each step of the investigation and proceedings. She is a flag carrier for Irwin Mitchell with a national profile. She is pragmatic and focused with superb leadership skills.’

‘Anne Kavanagh is a standout solicitor. She is very calm under pressure, measured and precise. She has a very good rapport with her clients.’

‘A first-class national practice with extensive experience in all types of clinical negligence claims – from small claims to maximum severity. At the forefront of clinical negligence claims and achieve excellent results for their clients. A practice with numerous leaders in their field.’

‘Leena Savjani’s ability to navigate the complexity of the legal and medical issues with ease was clear and she quickly gained my total confidence in her capability as she fought throughout to get answers.’

‘Ian Christian has a fantastic reputation and caseload to match; he’s passionate about what he does, whilst always remaining calm and unflappable and putting the clients at the heart of everything he does. He’s got an encyclopaedic knowledge and great eye for detail and time after time, he achieves outstanding results for his clients. He’s also a total delight to work with.’

‘Anita Jewitt is a star. She is a class act – intelligent and analytical. She puts clients at ease and guides them patiently through the litigation process which can otherwise be stressful.’

‘Richard Kayser is extremely able. He has great forensic skills and is a safe pair of hands for even the most complex medical cases. He is bright and astute. He thinks through legal and medical problems. He leaves no stone unturned in pursuit of his clients’ cases.’

Work highlights


  • Handling proceedings arising out of an injury which the claimant suffered in 1999 when he was 3 months of age.
  • Acting in a case involving an admitted 6½ hour delay in diagnosis and treatment of meningitis when the claimant was 13 months old.
  • Acting in a claim involving a delay in diagnosis of rectal cancer whereby a polyp identified should have been removed.

Leigh Day

Suzanne White leads the team at Leigh Day, specialising in catastrophic injury work including birth injuries, as well as women's rights in healthcare. Emmalene Bushnell acts for adult clients, in particular those claims involving cerebral palsy and brain injury, while Maria Panteli has extensive experience in delayed diagnosis claims. ‘Supremely experienced, hardworking and attuned to the needs of their clients‘, the team has established significant maternity care expertise – an area in which Sanja Strkljevic specialises. A number of the team members have medical experience, including former registered nurse Olive Lewin, whose caseload includes complex claims involving endocarditis, spinal cord injury and maternal death. The team also has a dedicated inquest specialist in senior associate Fiona Huddleston. Despina Kavadas rounds out the roster of recommended practitioners.

Practice head(s):

Suzanne White


Other key lawyers:

Emmalene Bushnell; Maria Panteli; Sanja Strkljevic; Olive Lewin; Sally Jean-Nicholes; Despina Kavadas; Angharad Vaughan; Kirsten Wall; Anna Brothers; Matthew Westlake; Nandi Jordan; Fiona Huddleston


Testimonials

‘One of the best firms in the business. Supremely experienced, hardworking, and attuned to the needs of their clients.’

‘Angharad Vaughan is a superb partner who fights her client’s corner and achieves excellent results. Lovely client skills, so can deal with highly emotional clients in a balanced, sympathetic but clear way.’

‘Suzanne White heads the department and fights like a tiger for her clients, whilst simultaneously managing their expectations carefully. She is a superb solicitor.’

‘Olive Lewin is a force of nature who has excellent interpersonal skills which appeal to clients and counsel alike.’

‘Emmalene Bushnell is super bright and always gets the best out of her experts.’

‘Suzanne White is a star fighter, always willing to go the extra mile for her client.’

‘Despina Kavdas is a standout for me. She’s encouraging without being pushy. She tests the case thoroughly and works very hard to make sure all the arguments are covered.’

‘Kirsten Wall is confident and calm, she is a very reassuring presence on a claim and someone I’m always glad to work with.’

Work highlights


  • Settled a high value cerebral palsy claim shortly before trial with a capitalised value of very significantly in excess of £25m.

Stewarts Law LLP

The clinical negligence team at Stewarts Law LLP comprises ‘premier league leaders in the field’, and is focused on high-value, complex claims including those involving delayed diagnosis of meningitis and sepsis; birth injury and cerebral palsy; and mental health diagnosis where failure in care leads to catastrophic injury. The group also has particular expertise regarding spinal claims of the highest complexity. In collaboration with the firm’s sports disputes team, the sports injury sub-team continues to grow in strength. Muiris Lyons, a ‘leading light in the clinical negligence field’, heads up the practice. The team has notable experience in claims involving cauda equina syndrome, an area in which Robert Dransfield and Hugh Johnson have specialist knowledge. Amy Heath is a ‘formidable opponent with total mastery of her cases’, and is leading the department’s project to promote collaborative working with NHS Resolution and defendant firms. Alison Goldney is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Muiris Lyons


Other key lawyers:

Amy Heath; Hugh Johnson; Robert Dransfield; Alison Goldney; Alexandra Bennett; Katherine Fitter


Testimonials

‘Premier league leaders in the field, operating in London and the North. They leave no stone unturned in their case investigation and development and get the very best results possible for their clients.’

‘Amy Heath is a lethal litigator and formidable opponent with total mastery of her cases.’

‘Hugh Johnson is hugely knowledgeable and very highly regarded in the sector. Keen eye for detail but also able to see the bigger picture in a claim. A good strategic thinker.’

‘Katherine Fitter is a very impressive litigator. She runs her cases with calm and meticulous efficiency.’

‘The team is ably led by Muiris Lyons who has been a leading light in the clinical negligence field for many years.’

‘Undoubtedly a Tier 1 firm in clinical negligence, with astonishing strength in depth. They only take on maximum severity cases and allocate a small number of cases to each partner, ensuring that they are given all of the attention that they need.’

‘They manifestly work as a very effective team, with good oversight and mutual responsibility.’

‘The quality of the work which Stewarts attract, seek, obtain and maintain must remain amongst the best in the clinical negligence field. No firm is better qualified to investigate and fight cases of the utmost severity and highest value.’

Work highlights


  • Secured admissions of liability in a claim involving the failure to recognise an infection in a newborn leading to Group B streptococcal meningitis and a profound brain injury.
  • Recovered £13m on a capitalised basis for a 26-year-old woman with bilateral below-knee amputations and bilateral amputation of fingers following the failure to treat a suspected infection.
  • Acted for a 51-year-old man in a claim relating to the mismanagement of cervical spine stenosis leading to incomplete tetraplegia at C4.

Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP

Simply brilliant‘ child brain injury specialist Jackie Spinks leads the clinical negligence team at Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP. The team focuses on catastrophic injury work, predominantly taking on ‘incredibly challenging cases’. A number of the team members are medically qualified, including former psychiatric nurse Jenny Kennedy; James Piers, a qualified medical doctor and barrister who joined the team in March 2023; and Jock Mackenzie, who is recommended for his ‘thoughtful and imaginative approach’, and has a particular interest in neurological, brain and spinal cord injury cases. The team has notable expertise in cases involving foreign nationals who have been treated in UK private hospitals. Ali Malsher has particular expertise regarding sepsis cases.

Practice head(s):

Jackie Spinks


Other key lawyers:

Jenny Kennedy; Ali Malsher; Jock Mackenzie; Amy Wedgwood; Samuel David; James Piers; Camilla Chellapermal


Testimonials

‘The claimant clinical negligence team at Anthony Gold takes on incredibly challenging cases and fights them hard and well, with outstanding results.’

‘Jock Mackenzie is one of the cleverest clinical negligence solicitors around. He uses his experience as a former doctor to great effect. He goes the extra mile and achieves outstanding results in very difficult claims.’

‘Amy Wedgwood is an incredibly impressive practitioner.’

‘Extremely diligent and detailed in all that they do.’

‘Jock Mackenzie is a standout practitioner among clinical negligence solicitors. He takes a thoughtful and imaginative approach to his cases and no point ever gets past him. The team has recently been bolstered by the arrival of James Piers, who is a very strong performer for his clients.’

‘I’m a huge fan of a number of partners in the firm. Jackie Spinks is simply brilliant, hugely bright, meticulous in everything she does, with great judgment and superb client handling skills. Ali Malsher is superb with complex clinical negligence cases and is hugely respected in the field.’

‘Jock Mackenzie is just so knowledgeable and experienced. It is very unusual to have someone with his level of knowledge and experience, of both medicine and law, in any law firm, whether boutique as Anthony Gold are, or even much larger.’

‘Amy Wedgwood’s quality of work puts her far above her years. She is completely on top of her files and can run cases of the utmost medical complexity and value.’

Work highlights


  • Acting for a four-year-old girl who has severe cerebral palsy caused by hypoxia shortly before her birth at full term in Basildon Hospital.
  • Acting for a 52-year-old female with a significant brain injury as a result of admitted negligence on the part of the defendant, following failure to treat a subarachnoid and intraventricular haemorrhage.
  • Representing a client following a misdiagnosis at an A&E department.

Bolt Burdon Kemp LLP

Bolt Burdon Kemp LLP’s ‘cohesive and collaborative’ clinical negligence team is split into sub-divisions by injury type, allowing for ‘deep understanding of the needs of clients‘; the divisions cover adult brain injury, child brain injury, spinal injury, military claims and complex injury. ‘Passionate and devoted’ Caroline Klage leads the wider team, while ‘exceptionalClaudia Hillemand heads up the child brain injury side, and ‘determined and thoroughSuzanne Trask oversees adult brain injury work. The team recently launched its Early Notification Scheme clinic, supporting clients working with this NHS initiative regarding birth injuries. Senior associate Alex Dabek, a spinal injury specialist, is noted as ‘astonishingly thorough and meticulous in everything she does’.

Practice head(s):

Caroline Klage


Other key lawyers:

Suzanne Trask; Claudia Hillemand; Alex Dabek; Hema Wanza; Joanna Chapman; Rhiannon Daniel; Ipek Tugcu; Gaggan Mawi


Testimonials

‘This team has vast knowledge of supporting clients and their families who suffer from spinal injuries, they are empathetic in their approach, caring but professional. They respond to any queries without delay and as a client, the process has been described to us in the utmost detail and questions answered with support throughout.’

‘Split by injury type, not by source of injury, so the various teams have a deep understanding of the needs of clients, and good links to supportive organisations and experts.’

‘The team is very cohesive and collaborative. They are exceptional communicators both with clients and other professionals. They strike an excellent balance between delivering complex information with clarity and empathy, which is fundamental to the great outcomes they secure for their clients, many of whom have experienced devastating life-changing injuries.’

‘Caroline Klage is absolutely superb. In my mind, she is the best solicitor in the country dealing with birth brain injury claims. I have never worked with anyone more passionate and devoted to their clients and her experience within the specialist field is second to none.’

‘Suzanne Trask is a real leader in her field. Determined and thorough and leads her team with real skill and determination.’

‘Caroline Klage is highly experienced and provides clients and their families with confidence and clarity at each stage of the litigation. She is always prepared to tackle difficult issues head on and never fails to keep in mind the real-life impact on her clients and their families of all the decisions that need to be taken on her clients’ behalf. She works collaboratively and respects the involvement of other professionals. She is able to drive things forward with focus.’

‘Claudia Hillemand is an exceptional lawyer. She is great to work with and provides her clients and their families with reassuring, clear advice as they embark on each new step of the litigation process. Regardless of the demands on her time, she is always highly responsive and invested in getting the very best outcomes for her clients.’

‘I am big fan of Alex Dabek who is astonishingly thorough and meticulous in everything she does, leaving no stone unturned.’

Work highlights


  • Negotiated a multi-million pound settlement for a child who experienced medical negligence at birth, resulting in cerebral palsy.
  • Successfully represented a vulnerable client in a claim arising out of a delay of diagnosis compounded by further negligence, resulting in paralysis.
  • Represented a former service-person in relation to the MOD’s delay in diagnosing and treating their PTSD, resulting in their premature discharge from the RAF.

Hodge Jones & Allen

The ‘excellent’ clinical negligence team at Hodge Jones & Allen goes ‘above and beyond for distressed families’, carrying out a range of work with a particular focus on that which has social importance, including claims involving stillbirths, fatalities, and psychiatric injuries. Working closely with the firm’s civil liberties team, the group is able to take on claims concerning prisons and care homes. The team is led by Agata Usewicz, who has a special interest in obstetric claims. Alongside its caseload, the team supports campaigns for progress in the medical field; recent highlights in this space include assisting a family group fighting for a statutory inquiry into failings within Essex Mental Health Services, spearheaded by senior associate Priya Singh and Nina AliAndrew Harrison, Dawn Treloar, and Emma Wray are likewise recommended.

Practice head(s):

Agata Usewicz


Other key lawyers:

Emma Wray; Nina Ali; Dawn Treloar; Andrew Harrison; Priya Singh; Geoffrey Simpson-Scott


Testimonials

‘The team are excellent – very knowledgeable and very committed to using the law to achieve meaningful redress for negligent failings, not only for compensation for clients but also to improve working practices and the lives of those affected by them in the future. They have gone above and beyond for distressed families time and time again.’

‘Dawn Treloar is personable, hardworking and very experienced in clinical negligence. A very safe pair of hands.’

‘Agata Usewicz is very experienced, unflappable and extremely good with clients.’

‘Geoffrey Simpson-Scott is a walking textbook on litigation procedure and tactics which he uses to maximum advantage for his clients. He is incredibly experienced and thorough, and his cases are meticulously prepared. I would have no hesitation in recommending him to friends or family should they ever need a medical negligence solicitor. He is also a delight to work with.’

‘Nina Ali never knows when she’s beaten – because she never is.’

‘A very solid, skilled and diligent clinical negligence team that achieves great results for their clients.’

‘Andrew Harrison provides a first-class service to his clients, and pursues cases with skill and great determination. Dawn Treloar has an eagle eye for detail and is extremely good with clients.’

‘Emma Wray is superb at people management, empathetic, and has excellent judgment.’

Work highlights


  • Acting for the families of approximately 80 individuals who died or were severely mistreated whilst in the care of mental health services in Essex, to support them in their campaign to covert the current non-statutory inquiry into a statutory public inquiry.
  • Represented a family at inquest where the coroner reached a standalone conclusion of neglect further to poor treatment of the deceased in a care home.

Osbornes

The clinical negligence team at Osbornes is much lauded for its ability to ‘represent the diverse range of London-based clients’; as an example, the firm places particular emphasis on work for Eastern European clients, especially where a language barrier has had an impact on medical care. Stephanie Prior ‘leads the team with real experience and commitment to her clients’ – with 10 years of experience as a registered general nurse, she is well placed to support clients through complex and sensitive claims. Ben Posford is a noted specialist in spinal injuries and cauda equina claims, while Jodi Newton, who made partner in June 2023, has specific expertise regarding birth negligence cases, including those which involve cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy injuries.

Practice head(s):

Stephanie Prior


Other key lawyers:

Jodi Newton; Nicholas Leahy; Ben Posford; Robert Aylott; Josie Robinson


Testimonials

‘A joy to work with and always 100% client focused at all times.’

‘Hard working, approachable, good knowledge of clinical negligence and clients’ specific conditions. Stephanie Prior leads a strong and competent team.’

‘Stephanie Prior leads the team with real experience and commitment to her clients. Able to spot a good case early on and see it through to conclusion. Jodi Newton is knowledgeable and well regarded.’ 

‘Osbornes has a skilled team of solicitors advising clients on a wide range of clinical negligence matters. The firm merit recognition for the complexity of their work, as a boutique discipline within a multi-disciplinary firm.’

‘Nicholas Leahy empathises very well with his clients. He runs his cases efficiently, effectively and can communicate diligently in difficult circumstances.’

‘Stephanie Prior and her colleagues are deeply versed in clinical negligence and the workings of English hospitals, trusts and medical practitioners. They are able to handle all clinical negligence claims including the very biggest catastrophic brain injury claims.’

‘Jodi Newton is passionate about her work and is a really creative lawyer, always trying to find practical and innovative solutions to problems encountered, whilst keeping the clients central to everything she does.’

‘Josie Robinson is fantastic with clients, very commercial and hugely experienced. Opponents respect her and she gets great results.’

Russell-Cooke LLP

Russell-Cooke LLP’s team of ‘experienced clinical negligence lawyers with proven records’ is jointly led by Dominic Fairclough, who has notable inquest experience, and Janice Gardner, who ‘brings tactical nous to all her decisions’. Bernadette McGhie, who is singled out as being ‘one of the most experienced solicitors in the market’, leads the brain injury work, bringing her experience as a former paediatric nurse to claims including hypoxic brain injuries leading to cerebral palsy. The ability to work collaboratively with other teams within the firm is valuable to the clinical negligence practice; for example, the education law team is able to assist brain-injured clients with securing long-term support. Nimmisha Aslam is another recommended name.

Practice head(s):

Dominic Fairclough; Janice Gardner


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Towler; Ruth Roberts; Nimmisha Aslam; Bernadette McGhie; Lucy Lawson


Testimonials

‘Nimmisha Aslam always ensures that she understands the needs of the client first. That ensures that all the advice that follows is geared towards the right objective.’

‘A team consisting of clear leaders in their field. The partners, who have extensive experience of all different types of clinical negligence claims, are assisted by conscientious and talented solicitors. They apply the same personal touch and attention to detail to all claims. They always have the client’s interests at the forefront of their thinking and are tenacious, but pragmatic, in achieving the best possible results.’

‘Janice Gardner is a real fighter who stands her ground and gives realistic and proper advice to her clients. She is hugely experienced, has a lightness of touch and brings tactical nous to all her decisions.’

‘The team are very unified and highly organised. They are very personable, calm and approachable, whilst having extensive experience and expertise. I wouldn’t hesitate to use or recommend them.’

‘Bernadette McGhie has grace and kindness in bucketloads, whilst being one of the most experienced solicitors in the market. She goes the extra mile for her clients and provides huge support, reassurance and great results for everyone she works with. She proves that litigation doesn’t have to be unkind.’

‘Russell-Cooke’s clinical negligence team are a strong claimant-facing team with a good level of experience. All of the solicitors I have worked with have been diligent, efficient, and empathetic.’

‘Lucy Lawson is able to handle very complex claims and challenging clients calmly.’

‘Strong body of experienced clinical negligence lawyers with proven records. Good relationships with clients – Bernadette McGhie, for example, has longstanding experience in the field and has the benefit of a background as a nurse in paediatric intensive care.’

Work highlights


  • Acting in a 12-day inquest which also raised important areas of human rights and criminal law.
  • Handling a case in which the claimant had been accused of fundamental dishonesty in her clinical negligence claim.
  • Handling a clinical negligence action following an inquest.

Bindmans LLP

Bindmans LLP’s clinical negligence team maintains ‘a very high level of pastoral support for clients’, taking on only complex cases involving catastrophic and very serious injury under the leadership of  ‘extremely experiencedJon Crocker. The firm’s wider human rights expertise heightens the team’s ability to support clients in very complex psychiatric injury and suicide cases, and is particularly key to its specialism regarding substandard treatment of those in prison or detained. Yagmur Ekici is recommended as ‘an absolute star‘. Alla Murphy has particular specialist experience handling catastrophic neurological, orthopaedic and psychiatric injury cases for both individual clients and multiparty groups.

Practice head(s):

Jon Crocker


Other key lawyers:

Alla Murphy; Siobhan Kelly; Yagmur Ekici; Rosaleen Wyllie; Megan Owen


Testimonials

‘It has been a particular pleasure to work with Jon Crocker. In addition to being an extremely experienced lawyer, he has an extensive knowledge of neurological problems and how they affect patients.’

‘Jon Crocker and his team have always explained clearly any course of action or proposal they have wanted me to agree to, and have always promptly responded to any request or question I have had.’

‘Yagmur Ekici is an absolute star, who mixes diligence, hard work and compassion.’

‘Jon Crocker is very responsive, responsible and experienced. A safe pair of hands.’

‘Bindmans attract some of the highest quality work in this field.’

‘Able to manage complicated cases with sometimes challenging and traumatised clients with a very high level of pastoral support for clients, though never losing sight of the legal issues.’

‘Alla Murphy has been superb in her efficiency and also empathetic handling of clients.’

‘Bindmans have a long history of working in this area. They have a strength in depth, and always put the client first. They can access good experts.’

Kingsley Napley LLP

In February 2023, James Bell arrived from Hodge Jones & Allen to lead the clinical negligence team at Kingsley Napley LLP, taking over from Terrence Donovan, who remains active within the group. The team has particular emphasis on birth injuries, spinal injuries, oncology cases and psychiatric negligence claims, including those which involve inquests. The team is noted for its ‘innovative and collaborative’ approach to working with opponents. Specialist in spinal injury, gastrointestinal injuries and loss of vision Eurydice Cote is recommended for her ‘fantastic attention to detail and real tenacity‘. Richard Lodge is another key name.

Practice head(s):

James Bell


Other key lawyers:

Terrence Donovan; Richard Lodge; Eurydice Cote; Laura Sylvester; Aideen McGarry; Kirsty Allen; Rebecca Linnell


Testimonials

‘James Bell, who heads up the clinical negligence team, is highly experienced and driven. He has excellent judgment and is a safe pair of hands for all sizes of claim. Really goes the extra mile for his clients.’

‘Eurydice Cote is knowledgeable, hardworking, intelligent and has a very good manner when dealing with clients.’

‘Cases are extremely well run, properly prepared, and sensibly litigated. The team has good industry knowledge, and enjoys the skills and resources to operate at the highest level.’

‘Laura Sylvester is a newly-appointed partner, and is very deserving of that status. She is very sensible and fair-minded, but takes every point that should be taken. She is very collegiate in her approach to running cases, and gets good results, while always thinking commercially in the claimant’s interests. She is fantastic to work with.’

‘The clinical negligence team are willing to work with opponents in an innovative and collaborative way, saving costs and time when resolving cases.’

‘Extremely reliable and highly competent clinical negligence lawyers, with an excellent network of top-level expert witnesses and strong attention to detail in management of evidence. The team enjoys strong leadership and clients receive advice which is timely and accurate and are well supported to make decisions.’

‘Richard Lodge is exceptional to work with, a lovely man whose knowledge of clinical matters is unrivalled and who brings enormous care and attention to detail to all his cases. He is extremely experienced in spinal cord injury and brain injury cases and understands the nuance of the clinical materials better than anyone. Richard is a great team player and brings out the skills of others.’

‘Laura Sylvester has built up a superb practice, she’s passionate about her work and achieving the best for her clients, whilst always maintaining a sense of humour. Eurydice Cote is surely a partner in the making, with a fantastic attention to detail and real tenacity.’

Work highlights


  • Negotiated a settlement for a child in a claim for a severe triplegic form of cerebral palsy caused by contracting a virus from his mother during birth which she had not been advised could be passed via intercourse with the claimant’s father, who was known to those caring for her to have this virus.

Moore Barlow

Moore Barlow’s Richmond-based clinical negligence team operates as part of the firm’s wider national offering, with expertise in brain injury cases including cerebral palsy and autoimmune encephalitis – an area in which Anne Cassidy specialises. A number of team members are also qualified in medicine, orthopaedics and anaesthetics, which, along with its panel position for charities such as the Encephalitis Society, the Cauda Equina Syndrome Association and the MASIC Foundation, bolsters the technical knowledge of the team. Practice head Sarah Stanton specialises in catastrophic neurological injury cases, and has previous experience working defendant-side, which enhances the team’s strategic ability.

Practice head(s):

Sarah Stanton


Other key lawyers:

Anne Cassidy; Mala Sidebottom; Carley Ross; Amie Ketteridge Lowe


Work highlights


  • Acted for a claimant whose hearing loss was not diagnosed in neonatal checks.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP’s team is led by John Kyriacou, whose broad caseload spans cerebral palsy, spinal injury, surgical complications and delayed diagnoses. The team receives medical negligence referrals from the Police Federation of England and Wales, and provides expertise regarding financial loss in such claims. Rosie Nelson specialises in birth injury claims and cerebral palsy cases, as well as claims resulting from orthopaedic injury. Lyndsey Banthorpe focuses on adult-acquired brain injury claims.

Practice head(s):

John Kyriacou


Other key lawyers:

Rosie Nelson; Lyndsey Banthorpe; Emily Reville; Rosa Shand


Testimonials

‘A small but very efficient and committed team who are delightful to work for.’

‘Specialists in the field of clinical negligence. Always well prepared and detailed in their instructions.’

‘Lyndsey Banthorpe is exceptional, incredibly hard working, great understanding of the key issues, kind and caring with clients, and very good at handling experts.’ 

‘Rosa Shand is knowledgeable, well prepared and has a great manner with experts and clients.’

‘Penningtons can always be trusted to provide high quality briefs, excellently prepared and with the client’s needs firmly in mind. They are a pleasure to work with.’

‘Rosie Nelson is a standout individual who invests time and effort into every case, to make sure no stone is unturned in getting the best result for her clients. I would recommend her to anyone.’

‘Penningtons handle their cases with the utmost care and diligence.’

‘Rosie Nelson is a superb solicitor. Has an ability far beyond her level of experience. She is an extremely thoughtful and safe pair of hands. Lyndsey Banthorpe is also superb. She does not leave a stone unturned when investigating and preparing a case. She does not shy away from the tough tasks. John Kyriacou brings a level of experience to the work that must be almost unmatched in the field.’

Slater and Gordon

Slater and Gordon houses ‘an outstanding team with great strength in depth’. National head of clinical negligence for the firm, ‘supremely talented lawyer’ Emma Doughty has a specialist interest in cancer and birth injury cases. In addition, the team fields two dedicated in-house midwives and two nursing experts. Focusing on complex, high-value cases, the team also maintains its legal aid franchise to support a range of clients. Madeline Seibert is particularly experienced in cases of brain damage and severe injuries in children.

Practice head(s):

Emma Doughty


Other key lawyers:

Joanne Warren; Heather Moore; Sam Morton; Madeline Seibert; Laura Preston; Emily Welstead; Helen Osborne


Testimonials

‘Madeline Seibert is attentive to the client, and obviously cares about them as individuals and sees the bigger picture in that she understands the impact that not only the reason for the case has on them, but the process of the case. Her understanding, communication, together with the support of her wider team with Slater and Gordon have ensured the process has been as easy as it can be for us.’

‘They deal with their clients with sensitivity and compassion whilst remaining professional and focused at all times.’

‘They deal with their clients with care and compassion, always going the extra mile to ensure the litigation process is a painless and supported process.’

‘Outstanding team with great strength in depth. Can handle all sizes of claim with confidence.’

‘A fantastic team of lawyers led by Emma Doughty. They are liked and trusted by their clients, always fighting hard to get the right result. They are always on top of the detail of the case, ensuring that progress is made in terms of treatment, early interim payments and appointment of case managers.’

‘Emma Doughty is a supremely talented lawyer. She has an impressive grasp of detail and a powerful intellect. Joanne Warren is a superb solicitor with a hefty caseload of complex, challenging, high-value cases. She is loved by her clients and highly respected by opponents, combining attention to detail with composure and empathy. Her cases and instructions to counsel are always meticulously prepared.’

‘Emma Doughty is a trusted, effective and hard-working senior partner. She is great at getting the right experts and in keeping the client at the forefront of her thinking. Laura Preston is a highly personable and diligent worker for her clients.’

‘A real down-to-earth touch from all the team combined with extensive knowledge and experience. Myriad of different cases which allows all members of the team to learn and gain requisite experience.’

Work highlights


  • Acting in a claim arising as a result of alleged negligent medical treatment worth £10m.
  • Represented the client in a case which related to variable PPOs.
  • Representing a family in a suicide inquest and clinical negligence claim in accordance with the Human Rights Act specifically in relation to a right to life.

Devonshires Claims

Nick Grant leads the ‘truly impressive’ clinical negligence team at Devonshires Claims, which has a particular specialism regarding ophthalmology claims, including those involving consent issues. The team has a growing expertise in maternity-related claims, and has a focused child birth injury team led by ‘tour de force’ Karen Cathcart. Jeanette Van Cauter specialises in birth injuries to both mothers and children, including claims involving Erb’s palsy.

Practice head(s):

Nick Grant


Other key lawyers:

Karen Cathcart; Justin Glenister; William Collins; Kim Huggins; Jeanette Van Cauter; Sandra Wheeler; Katie Hughes


Testimonials

‘The team contains individual excellence at all levels from partner to legal executive. Further the team is greater than the sum of its enviable parts making a truly impressive clinical negligence team. The ability of the lawyers is reflected in the impressive workload. The team cover work of the highest value and the most difficult technical claims.’

‘Karen Cathcart is a tour de force in this space and is a star who deals with cases of the utmost severity. What she does not know about clinical negligence and the running of difficult claims is not worth knowing. She leaves no stone unturned and fights each case with vigour. Her clients love her and the defendants run scared from her in equal measure.’

‘William Collins is a leading solicitor who is simply wonderful with clients facing the most challenging periods of their lives. He knows the law inside out and is tactically astute. He has a heavy workload of serious clinical negligence cases and is particularly adept at managing client expectations and achieving excellent results.’

JMW Solicitors LLP

The clinical negligence team at JMW Solicitors LLP is led by the ‘intelligent and determined’ Nicola Wainwright. The team specialises in maximum severity claims, particularly cases arising from infectious disease and neonatal injury, including meningitis claims. Suleikha Ali, who has ‘an excellent head for strategy’, has particular expertise supporting black women who have suffered injuries during pregnancy. The team is also involved in work for clients who have suffered injury due to receiving contaminated blood, and those taking part in the government Covid-19 inquiry.

Practice head(s):

Nicola Wainwright


Other key lawyers:

Suleikha Ali


Testimonials

‘Nicola Wainwright has a passion for supporting her clients, particularly those who have been adversely affected due to poor medical treatment and negligence. She is driven to help support those clients, and to change practice to prevent similar avoidable adverse events from recurring. She also does this with a genuine care and empathy for the clients affected, and is compassionate about the situation.’

‘What makes JMW’s practice unique is their willingness and ability to think of causes of action from outside the sphere of clinical negligence to bolster strong claims on behalf of their clients. They have a depth and breadth of knowledge that is not commonly found in the sector.’

‘Nicola Wainwright stands head and shoulders above competitors in the field, in terms of her client care, her ability to build the strongest of relationships, and her marshalling of the facts and the issues in a case.’

‘This clinical negligence team is small but effectively run, with considerable experience within the group.’

‘Nicola Wainwright is intelligent and determined in pursuing her clients’ interests; a very effective litigator. She is ably assisted by Suleikha Ali, who is bright and thorough.’

‘Nicola Wainright and Suleikha Ali are particularly tenacious clinical negligence lawyers. They form the heart of a clinical negligence team within a larger, and quite corporate firm, which is likely to give them an edge when it comes to resources and cross-departmental teamwork.’

‘The medical negligence team brings a wealth of experience. I think their USP is really high calibre people, who are always super engaged.’

‘Nicola Wainwright is enormously experienced, able to take on the trickiest cases and make clients feel at ease. A truly top-notch partner. Suleikha Ali has complete command of the details of her cases and an excellent head for strategy.’

Work highlights


  • Successfully concluded a multi-million pound claim for a teenage girl who suffered brain damage at birth in London but who had since moved abroad.

RWK Goodman

Ben Lees, singled out by one client as ‘a fierce litigator who gets results’, jointly leads the clinical negligence offering at RWK Goodman alongside Simon Elliman, a spinal injury specialist. The team has notable strength in its dental negligence sub-unit, as well as increasing expertise in weight loss surgery-related claims. Associate Divya Anand has particular experience in maternal injury cases.

Practice head(s):

Simon Elliman; Ben Lees


Other key lawyers:

Divya Anand


Testimonials

‘Very experienced in medical negligence cases with a dedicated department.’

‘Ben Lees and Divya Anand are both approachable, knowledgeable and thorough.’

‘Good team dynamic and professional.’

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s clinical negligence team is helmed by Neil Clayton, who is ‘not afraid of taking on difficult and unusual cases’. The team specialises in birth injury work, including complicated cerebral palsy claims, and has been involved in TVT mesh claims, often involving lack of informed consent. The firm also offers significant expertise regarding restorative dentistry cases, particularly with regard to implants and veneers.

Practice head(s):

Neil Clayton


Other key lawyers:

Sharon Lam; Viral Dagly


Testimonials

‘Viral Dagly has the skills and judgement to take on and successfully run very complex claims.’

‘The clinical negligence team has developed into a major player in this specialist area with offices in Leicester and London. The team is efficiently managed with a focus on quality of service and moreover, all the solicitors are highly specialist and knowledgeable on clinical negligence law issues.’ 

‘Good strength in depth. Very commercial and lots of experience in running complex clinical negligence claims.’

‘Strong team in London. Has many star individuals. Efficient, friendly and effective.’

‘Neil Clayton is a brilliant solicitor. He is determined to get the best result for the client and he is technically very strong.’

‘Very well resourced – a full team of juniors and seniors to service and manage a case at every level – exemplary client care, excellent legal knowledge, extensive experience, friendly, commercial and pragmatic strategic management of the cases always putting the client first.’

‘Neil Clayton is one of my favourite solicitors. Neil is kind, compassionate, immensely experienced and dedicated. He is not afraid of taking on difficult and unusual cases. He quickly wins the trust and confidence of his clients.’

Taylor Rose MW

‘Hugely knowledgeable’ Lauren Phillips leads the clinical negligence team at Taylor Rose MW, following the merging of Taylor Rose and McMillan Williams in 2021. The ‘organised, efficient and calm’ team has experience in the gamut of cases, from delay in diagnosis to surgical injuries, and also regularly represents families at inquests. Andrew Bentham  has notable experience regarding secondary victim claims.

Practice head(s):

Lauren Phillips


Other key lawyers:

Andrew Bentham ;Toni Bedward


Testimonials

‘Detailed knowledge of cases and the needs of clients – solicitors who take time to understand the worries of clients and explain the process of litigation.’

‘Lauren Phillips is a fighter and will hold her corner. She is usually right!’

‘Andrew Bentham works extremely hard, goes the extra mile for his client and has a great eye for detail. A very safe pair of hands.’

‘Lauren Phillips was excellent in every aspect. She was patient and kind, answering all our questions. Her legal knowledge was excellent and she dealt with matters very efficiently and kept us informed every step of the way. She went above and beyond, working very hard to meet tight deadlines. She was a good listener and understood the physical and emotional difficulties caused by the clinical negligence.’

‘I have been dealing with Lauren Phillips for over ten years and during this time we have developed a very good working relationship. Lauren has always been approachable and always takes the time explain everything to me. She is hugely knowledgeable and I trust her judgement and advice entirely.’

‘Organised, efficient and calm. We managed to bring the claim to a successful early conclusion through mediation in circumstances where it might easily have floundered.’

‘This is a very good team with excellent partners in each office. The firm is punching significantly above its weight in terms of clinical negligence clout with some very high value cases. I would recommend them to any client looking for clinical negligence expertise in South London and Surrey.’

‘Lauren Phillips is a first rate lawyer with real attention to detail and gets results, a joy to work with.’