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Beachcroft’s ‘excellent’ and ‘first-class’ practice is a leading player nationally. It is increasingly defending complex and high-value clinical negligence claims for the NHSLA. Other clients include the Medical Defence Union, Bupa, The Priory Group, and General Healthcare. It handles medical negligence work for Spire Healthcare, including employers’ liability and public liability instructions for its London Fertility Clinic. Nigel Montgomery heads the department, within which Corinne Slingo, Rachel Roberts-Jenkins, Paul Taylor, Matthew McGrath, and David Weatherburn are all highly rated.

Among ‘the best firms to deal with’, Capsticks’ team is ‘very competent and user friendly’, and is headed by Peter Marquand. Majid Hassan, Robert Wilson and the ‘professional, courteous and approachable’ Philip Hatherall are also recommended. The team successfully defended Kingston Hospital NHS Trust against a catastrophic brain damage claim.

‘A traditional force’ in the market, Hempsons is an ‘amazing firm’ with a clinical negligence team that has a ‘superb level of knowledge and wisdom’. ‘Highly impressive’ practice head Bertie Leigh’s ‘swift analysis of any scenario, and wisdom in how to tackle it effectively, is masterly and a pleasure to observe’. Rachel Kneale is ‘particularly good at reassuring clinicians’, and ‘negotiates effectively’. John Holmes and Nadya Wolferstan ‘provide timely and constructive advice’. Christian Dingwall, Julie Austin, Chris Morris, Zoë Harvey and Janice Barber are also recommended. The team is regularly instructed by the NHSLA, including defending clinical negligence and breach of human rights claims brought by 400 prisoners alleging they were forced into detoxification programmes and given inadequate treatment for withdrawal symptoms.

Kennedys’ ‘strong’ and ‘constructive’ team has a broad practice that includes defending the NHSLA, the Medical Protection Society, the Medical Professional Liability Company, and numerous private clients. Practice head Janet Sayers is ‘exceptional in her field’, and ‘very approachable’; Christopher Malla is ‘very dedicated to client service and is passionate about healthcare law’; and Robert Tobin is ‘one of the best up-and-coming lawyers’.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s ‘excellent’ group is relatively small, but enjoys considerable market share. The team’s ‘strength lies in its people skills’, as well as its provision of ‘an efficient and timely service’. The team has been representing the NHSLA in a multimillion-pound birth injury claim against an NHS hospital, involving a catastrophic brain injury. New partner Claire Petts is ‘an extremely good people person’ with ‘a wealth of knowledge regarding healthcare law’. Charles Brown and practice head Kevin Bitmead are also recommended.

Bevan Brittan LLP’s busy clinical negligence department regularly acts for NHS trusts, the NHSLA and private sector clients. Practice head Joanne Easterbrook represented South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust against a breach of human rights claim brought by the adult daughter of a patient who absconded from the ward while detained under the Mental Health Act. Also recommended is Matthew Trinder, who is particularly adept at handling complex genetics cases.

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP has a rapidly growing team of ‘extremely helpful and competent’ solicitors. Instructions come from organisations such as the Medical Protection Society, the Royal College of Nursing, Mitsui and RSA. Practice head Gary Allison is ‘simply an excellent technician’; and he and his team ‘go the extra mile in order to provide an excellent service’. Juliette Mellman-Jones, Rosie Shapiro and Vicki Swanton are also recommended.

At Nabarro LLP, Peter Fitzpatrick continues to lead the team in defending cases for the Medical Defence Union, including clinical, cosmetic and dental claims. Chris Horsefield and senior associate Yvonne Screene are also recommended.

Plexus Law is ‘an insurance-focused firm with a wide and in-depth knowledge of the law’. Senior associate Sian Davies heads the clinical negligence team, and specialises in IVF and psychiatry matters. Davies is ‘friendly and reassuring’, and the team is praised for the ‘great deal of effort it devotes to visiting and working alongside clients’, and as being ‘very much in tune with industry requirements and practices’.

At Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP, ‘the level of service is faultless’ and ‘the quality of all the individuals is excellent’. The practice includes independent sector defence work for insurers, and for individuals such as doctors, nurses, dentists and forensic medical examiners. Practice head Dorothy Flower gives ‘excellent, clear and comprehensive advice’.

Rena Field heads Weightmans LLP’s practice, which represents the NHSLA and various NHS trusts. Recent work includes acting in 130 claims arising from various investigations at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Simon Eastwood heads the niche firm of Eastwoods Solicitors, and ‘fights tooth and nail for his clients’. Adam Smith is also recommended. Surjit Dubb made partner in 2010, while Joanne Bateman joined as a solicitor, having previously worked for the Medical Defence Union.

Fishburns LLP is establishing itself in the market under the leadership of Tracy Sell-Peters. In 2010, senior solicitor and former barrister Joanna Bower joined from Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP. Bower has ‘deep experience’ and ‘good client-handling skills’.

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