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  1. Personal injury: defendant
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Nick Pargeter’s disease team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is considered by some to be ‘the best in the market’. Boris Cetnik is ‘great strategically and technically’, and had a notable success in 2011 in Baker v Quantum Clothing Group. Head of injury Michael Pether is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘very popular with clients’; he leads a strong catastrophic and complex claims team featuring the well-regarded Jennette Newman and Jenny Moates. Local authority and police work is another key area. Pether leads on abuse cases.

Following its merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, Clyde & Co LLP has retained its key client panel appointments, and has been appointed to new panels for the Metropolitan Police and Mitsui. Other high-profile clients include John Lewis, and the BBC. It has a strong local authority practice featuring the highly regarded David Knapp, who is ‘one of the best lawyers in the field’, and John Goodman, who has ‘a keen eye for detail’. Danielle Singer and Charles Brown are ‘outstanding’ for catastrophic work.

DAC Beachcroft LLP is highly regarded in the industry, acting for corporates such as BP and BA and insurers such as Zurich, Allianz, and Ecclesiastical. Strategic litigation specialist Andrew Parker was instructed by the NDLB in two significant asbestos test cases in 2011. The ‘collaborative’ and ‘proactive’ Paula Jefferson is responsible for the national disease team, which acted on behalf of Land of Leather in the sofa dermatitis claims. The ‘hugely experienced’ Tania Sless leads the catastrophic injury team, which is ‘quite simply the best’.

DWF LLP has sector strengths in retail, transport, and local authorities, and its ‘service is excellent, with exceptional response times’. Graham Dickinson and Claire Bowler are recommended for catastrophic injury cases; ‘capability, enthusiasm and efficiency abound’. The ‘first-rate’ Bowler also heads a well-respected international liability team. Mark Whittaker’s public sector team has been joined by ‘particularly thorough’ highways expert John Palmer from Clyde & Co LLP. Dan Mitchell heads the transport team, which acts for National Express and First Group among others.

Historically known for its motor work, Greenwoods Solicitors now has strength across the board. The catastrophic injury team has ‘strength and depth in expertise’ and is ‘excellent value for money’. Malcolm Henke is a ‘superb negotiator’; Steven King is a ‘standout practitioner’; Chris Crook is ‘very experienced’; and Charles Ashmore is ‘hugely experienced, with a superb reputation’. A number of associates stand out, with John Lezemore recommended for chronic pain syndrome cases, Deirdre Burgess for large loss matters, and Tim Ingram for motor prosecutions.

Acting for major national insurers, and with its international presence attracting new clients, the team at Kennedys has grown considerably in recent years. Practice head Mark Burton is recommended for mesothelioma work; Joe McManus ‘achieves some excellent results and is utterly dependable’, particularly in stress and bullying claims; and Tim Wilson and Rachel Moore are recommended for catastrophic work.

With CEO Tim Oliver at the helm, Plexus Law has added the Metropolitan Police to a client list which also features RSA, TDG and QBE. It has a good reputation for its volume provision, but is increasingly winning large loss work. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Claire Mulligan heads a travel team which acts for TUI, Thomas Cook, and recent client win Monarch.

Browne Jacobson LLP has a well-respected, hard-hitting local authority practice. David Maggs is 'approachable and has in-depth working knowledge', and is recommended for abuse work, handling complex and often sensitive claims for clients; and Steven Conway is ‘determined to achieve the desired result for his client’.

‘The simply outstanding’ Howard Watson at Herbert Smith LLP advises on significant issues for large corporates, acting for Chevron in relation to the explosion at Milford Haven in 2011, and for Diageo in relation to claims resulting from the use of the drug Thalidomide. His experience includes advising on mechanisms for dealing with potential group actions.

Watmores has a ‘top-drawer’ niche practice, headed by disease specialist Jon Grunewald. The ‘practical and pragmatic’ Simon Johnson heads the local authority practice, and Andrew Mayne specialises in rail cases for the insurer Travellers.

Elaine Chapman’s large loss team at Weightmans LLP delivers ‘value for money’ coupled with ‘excellent advice’, and advises clients such as Zurich and the MIB. The firm’s merger with Vizards Wyeth has added local authority experts Brian Williams and David Johnson to the team.

The ‘responsive, very hardworking’ Maria Pittordis at Hill Dickinson LLP acts for Shell, BP and P&O, as well as major port owners Associated British Ports and Hutchison Westport. John Caddies is ‘very solid and dependable’.

Paul Dean’s specialist marine team at Holman Fenwick Willan LLP provides an ‘impeccable but approachable service’ to P & I insurers.

Charlotte Davies at Ince & Co is instructed by insurers such as Chartis and P&C in high-value and senstive claims.

At RPC, Gavin Reese heads a large loss department with coverage expertise. Clients include London market insurers Hiscox and Catlin.

Reading firm Pitmans LLP has experience in the area, and opened a London office in 2012.

Ros Ashby and Marian Joseph are recommended at niche firm Pritchard Englefield, and specialise in overseas claims.

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