United Kingdom > North West > Insurance
Clinical negligence: claimant
Clinical negligence: claimant
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1
- Irwin Mitchell (Manchester)
- Pannone LLP (Manchester)
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2
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JMW Solicitors LLP (Manchester) - John Pickering and Partners LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
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Linder Myers LLP (Manchester) - MPH Solicitors (Manchester)
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3
- EAD Solicitors LLP (Liverpool)
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Jobling Gowler Solicitors (Macclesfield) -
Maxwell Hodge (Liverpool) - Potter Rees Limited (Manchester)
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Simpson Millar LLP (Manchester) -
Stephensons Solicitors LLP (Leigh) -
The Roland Partnership (Chester)
Irwin Mitchell has a large regional practice which advises on all levels of claims, including high-value matters, and team draws on support from the firm’s public law and Court of Protection departments. Lindsay Wise is recommended for spinal and brain injury cases. Jennifer Cawthorne was promoted to partner.
Led by Stephen Jones, Pannone LLP’s team is known for its breadth and depth in clinical negligence matters, recently acting in complex brain injury and cerebral palsy cases. Chris Gawne has ‘excellent knowledge and is very savvy’. Julia Hurstfield is ‘supportive and has an exceptional attitude towards cases’.
JMW Solicitors LLP provides an ‘outstanding level of service’. It frequently acts in complex, multimillion-pound cases and has strong expertise in child brain injury matters, recently winning a £6.56m damages claim for a client. Team head Eddie Jones is ‘professional and empathetic’; Ged Wilson is ‘wonderful’; and Susan Taylor is also highly recommended.
John Pickering and Partners LLP handles both publicly and privately funded work. It acted in a leading case concerning low-level asbestos exposure, and in a matter concerning mesothelioma and employers’ liability policies. Carolann Hepworth and Kevin Johnson lead the Manchester and Liverpool teams respectively.
Linder Myers LLP’s team is led by the experienced Trevor Ward. Recent work includes a high-value cerebral palsy case, and a spinal surgery related matter. Diane Rostron is also recommended.
MPH Solicitors acts for individuals, union members and the Royal British Legion. Frank Patterson and Mark Havenhand are both recommended.
Helen Barry is recommended at EAD Solicitors LLP.
Heather Jobling is recommended at Jobling Gowler Solicitors.
Michael Danby is recommended at Maxwell Hodge.
Helen Dolan is recommended at Potter Rees Limited.
Janet Johnson is recommended at Simpson Millar LLP.
Louise Griffiths is recommended at Stephensons Solicitors LLP
Nina Roland is recommended at The Roland Partnership.
Clinical negligence: defendant
Clinical negligence: defendant
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1
- Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP (Manchester)
- Hempsons (Manchester)
- Hill Dickinson LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Weightmans LLP (Liverpool)
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2
- DAC Beachcroft LLP (Manchester)
Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s team is led by Mike Brown. It acts in a broad range of claims, and has particular expertise in inquest work. It was appointed legal provider to both the HealthTrust Europe’s framework agreement and the NHS Commercial Alliances. Sarah Woodwark has a ‘practical and incisive legal mind’, and focuses on doctor and dentist claims. Claire Batchelor joined from Hill Dickinson LLP.
The well-respected team at Hempsons is very active for the NHS Litigation Authority, and also acts for various NHS trusts and PCTs, handling a range of clinical negligence matters including high-value and complex issues. It is jointly led by Anne Ball and Kirsten Blohm.
Hill Dickinson LLP’s team is ‘excellent in every way’, and is led by Richard Watson. Its recent high-profile work includes defending the Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust in a high-value group action. Andrew Leslie is ‘professional, with impeccable judgement’; and Manchester office head Andrew Craggs has ‘excellent technical expertise’.
Weightmans LLP’s practice head Victoria Morris focuses on high-value injury matters, particularly birth-related matters. Highlights included acting for the NHSLA in the Mid Staffordshire public inquiry. Richard Jolly was appointed as head of healthcare litigation, and handles high-value clinical negligence cases.
DAC Beachcroft LLP’s healthcare team is jointly led by ‘outstanding lawyer’ Simon Wortley and Christopher Briggs. It handled numerous instructions for the Medical Defence Union and private hospitals such as the General Healthcare Group.
Personal injury: claimant
Personal injury: claimant
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1
- Irwin Mitchell (Manchester)
- MPH Solicitors (Manchester)
- Pannone LLP (Manchester)
- Thompsons Solicitors LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
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2
- DWF LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Fentons Solicitors LLP (Manchester)
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JMW Solicitors LLP (Manchester) - John Pickering and Partners LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Potter Rees Limited (Manchester)
- Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers (Manchester)
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3
- Freeclaim Solicitors (Manchester)
- Hilary Meredith Solicitors (Wilmslow)
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Linder Myers LLP (Manchester) - Shoosmiths (Manchester)
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Silverbeck Rymer (Liverpool) -
Simpson Millar LLP (Manchester) -
Stephensons Solicitors LLP (Leigh)
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Abney Garsden McDonald (Stockport) -
ClearLaw Solicitors (Manchester) -
colemans-ctts LLP (Manchester) -
Fletchers Solicitors (Southport)
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Gorvins (Stockport) -
Roberts Jackson Solicitors (Wilmslow) -
Savas & Savage Solicitors (Ellesmere Port) - Stripes Solicitors (Manchester)
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Irwin Mitchell’s team, led by Grahame Codd, is renowned for its experience in catastrophic, brain and spinal injury cases and asbestos-related matters, and is supported by public law, Court of Protection and trust teams. Jonathan Betts and Matthew Brown are recommended for brain and spinal cord injury work, while Geraldine Coombs heads the asbestos disease team. Highlights included obtaining a £3.6m award in a brain injury claim.
MPH Solicitors regularly deals with complex cases, and its ‘knowledge of case law and legislation is superb’. Practice head Geraldine McCool specialises in military and commercial aviation claims, while Dominic Hemsi focuses on industrial disease claims, including representing individuals injured by Tone & Amp equipment. The team is valued for its ‘informality and approachability’.
Pannone LLP is an ‘excellent, top-rank firm’, and handles a wide range of work, including catastrophic injury claims, child abuse cases, actions against the police and travel claims. Richard Scorer heads the practice. Catherine Leech, who mainly handles high-severity cases, has a ‘calm head and is hardworking, thorough and detailed, but never misses the big picture’.
Thompsons Solicitors LLP has a sizeable trade union client base, and specialises in handling asbestos claims. It recently obtained £212,500 in compensation for a widow whose husband died from asbestos-related cancer. Matthew Tollitt and Chris Strogen head the departments in Liverpool and Manchester respectively.
The claimant arm of DWF LLP’s practice trades under the ‘Resolution Law’ brand, and receives instructions from legal expenses insurers. The team ‘forms good client relationships’, and is led by Tim Hoy.
Fentons Solicitors LLP has strength in depth, and covers the full range of personal injury matters including serious injury, fatality, and industrial disease claims. Head of serious injury Mark Thomson is recommended.
Chris Sutton and Richard Powell jointly lead the team at JMW Solicitors LLP. It has a strong RTA practice, including cases involving serious and catastrophic injuries.
John Pickering and Partners LLP has longstanding experience in industrial disease claims. Kevin Johnson heads the practice in Liverpool.
At Potter Rees Limited, Hugh Potter is well respected for his work on catastrophic claims.
Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers is praised for its levels of client care, and provides ‘strong expertise and commitment, with regular contact and support’. It handles a range of accident and disease cases. Tracey Graham is highly recommended.
John Barstow and Alastair Fernie are recommended at Freeclaim Solicitors.
Senior partner Hilary Meredith at Hilary Meredith Solicitors is noted for military accident matters.
Andrew McBride is recommended at Linder Myers LLP, where the team grew with the firm's merger with Rowlands Field Cunningham LLP.
The team at Shoosmiths has experience including RTAs and cycling accidents.
Sally Raeburn at Silverbeck Rymer is recommended.
Simpson Millar LLP is instructed by a number of trade unions.
Kate Sweeney leads a large team at Stephensons Solicitors LLP.
Personal injury: defendant
Personal injury: defendant
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1
- Clyde & Co (Manchester)
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2
- Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- DAC Beachcroft LLP (Manchester)
- DWF LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
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3
- Hill Dickinson LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
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Keoghs LLP (Bolton) - Weightmans LLP (Liverpool)
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- Forbes (Blackburn)
- Greenwoods Solicitors (Manchester)
- Kennedys (Manchester)
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Horwich Farrelly (Manchester)
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Plexus Law (Manchester)
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Clyde & Co’s merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP strengthened its leading position in the insurance law market. The sizeable team has strength in depth and ‘outstanding industry knowledge and market intelligence’. It handles the full spectrum of insurance matters, with specialist teams handling catastrophic, fraud, disease and regulatory work. Head of catastrophic Peter Walmsley has European expertise, and is currently acting in a high-value brain injury case; Peter Whitehead has ‘a proven track record in complex dispute resolution’; Mark Hemsted, whose experience includes indemnity and property damage matters; and Damian Ward is strong on fraud matters. Clients include leading insurers Chartis, NFU Mutual and RBS Insurance.
Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP provides ‘a very client-focused service’, and is praised for its ability to ‘think outside the box and devise novel solutions’. Manchester office head Jonathan Clay leads an experienced abuse team; and Raymond Southern manages a team covering a wide range of fraud issues. Vivienne Williams has ‘tremendous knowledge’ and ‘good business acumen’ in relation to disease claims.
DAC Beachcroft LLP’s practice head Iain Moore has particular experience in claims relating to industrial goods and services. The team handles the full range of insurance matters, including catastrophic and volume work. Newly promoted Antonia Ford specialises in fraud matters, and heads the firm’s expanding claims validation team. Clients include Aviva, Allianz and BAE Systems.
DWF LLP is ‘strong on catastrophic claims’, handling a flow of high-value and cross-border matters, and also focuses on occupational health and motor claims. The team acts for major insurers such as RSA, Brit and Groupama, and was reappointed to the QBE panel. Dave Young handles severe injury cases, and is ‘particularly good at building relationships’. James Pinder is national head of fraud.
Hill Dickinson LLP ‘wonderfully dedicated team’ covers a wide range of sectors, and acts for retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco. The team includes Jason Bleasdale, a disease specialist; Peter Oakes, who heads the firm’s growing fraud department; and Jason Spencer, whose recent work includes acting for RSA in relation to a high-profile group action involving allegations of child abuse, which is set for the Supreme Court.
Keoghs LLP focuses exclusively on the insurance sector, and has panel appointments with major insurers including Brit, AXA and Aviva. Head of complex injury claims Andrew Underwood is ‘invaluable and highly thought of’; and David Wynn is recommended for disease work. The firm is known for its work tackling insurance fraud, with Ruth Needham leading a specialist team assisting in relation to cross-insurer fraud ring operations.
Weightmans LLP has experience in high-value cases. It has a strong relationship with the MIB, with David Holt advising on strategic issues. Kieran Jones is a leading figure in disease litigation. Roddy Macleod successfully defended a claim regarding an 18-year-old rendered tetraplegic after diving into a private swimming pool.
Forbes acts for some 52 local authorities, and regularly handles complex and high-profile matters. Practice head Martin Crabtree is an ‘excellent litigator, who delivers innovative tactical solutions’.
Greenwoods Solicitors’ clients include Aviva, Direct Line and Markerstudy. Tom Holbrook has an ‘intuitive understanding’; Mike Suddards ‘is second to none’; and Alexandra Puddy ‘leaves no stone unturned’.
Kennedys is highly praised as providing an ‘excellent level of service’. Richard McKeown heads the department.
Professional negligence
Professional negligence
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1
- Clyde & Co (Manchester)
- DAC Beachcroft LLP (Manchester)
- Hill Dickinson LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
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Legal Risk (Liverpool) - Weightmans LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
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2
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP (Manchester)
- Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP (Manchester, Liverpool)
- DWF LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Mills & Reeve LLP (Manchester)
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Robin Simon LLP (Manchester)
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3
- Kennedys (Manchester)
- Pannone LLP (Manchester)
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- Aaron & Partners LLP (Chester)
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Stephensons Solicitors LLP (St Helens)
Clyde & Co’s team, led by James Preece, provides complex coverage and regulatory advice. Clients include Quinn Insurance, Mitsui and Travelers. Louisa Robbins joined from Robin Simon LLP, and has ‘excellent service standards and industry knowledge that is second to none’.
DAC Beachcroft LLP’s team is led by Ian McConkey, and has seen an increase in D&O and media-related professional claims. It acts for Zurich Professional in cases involving solicitors, accountants and surveyors. Stephen Gorman joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.
Hill Dickinson LLP’s Ruth Lawrence has a strong reputation for her work in the construction sector. She recently acted for civil and structural engineering firm John Allen Associates in a case against Co-operative Group Ltd, which provided authority as to the use of experts. Other clients include The Veterinary Defence Society, Aviva and Quinn. ‘An expert in the area’, Sarah Naylor specialises in claims against IFAs; and Fleur Rochester is also recommended.
Providing an ‘exemplary level of service’, Legal Risk ‘punches above its weight’ in representing law firms and their insurers in professional liability and regulatory matters. Highly regarded practice head Frank Maher provides ‘decisive, well-thought-through, practical advice’; and Sue Mawdsley is ‘truly impressive’ on anti money laundering matters.
Weightmans LLP saw an influx of instructions on construction matters and claims against barristers. Team head Mike Grant acted in the landmark Harrison v Shepherd Homes case, which set a precedent for new housebuilders. Mickaela Fox and James Holman are recommended for their legal sector experience.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s John Gosling mainly acts for claimants. Clients include major lenders pursuing claims for negligent valuations and advice.
Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s department head Jason Nash acted in the landmark Jones v Kaney case, which tested the scope of immunity of expert witnesses from negligence claims. The team took over the operation of Zurich’s managing general agency Professional Indemnity Protect Limited.
DWF LLP acts for a wide range of clients, via insurers such as RSA. Kieran Walshe leads the team.
At Mills & Reeve LLP, Niall Innes heads a team which provides an ‘excellent level of service’ and ‘understands how its clients work’. It acts for insurers including Aon and Inter Hannover, and also represents barristers through the Bar Mutual Fund.
Robin Simon LLP has recently handled heavyweight professional indemnity claims in the construction sector, and is increasingly instructed in claims against architects and engineers. Department head Andrew Macleod ‘sets an exceptionally high standard, and is measured, astute, efficient, and reliable’.