Hall Of Fame

Firms To Watch: Health

The team at Markel Law LLP law led by regulatory and public lawyer Deborah Nicholson regularly handles professional discipline, business crime and regulatory disputes for healthcare professionals, representing dentists, therapists, doctors and professional bodies.

Health in North West

Addleshaw Goddard

Drawing on sub-specialisms in public sector and health infrastructure, social and long-term care as well as life sciences and private healthcare, Addleshaw Goddard’s health department provides a full-service offering to its clients. With expertise in complex commercial transactional, competition, and disputes work for the NHS, Michael O’Connor is leading the team together with Stephanie Townley who is specialised in infrastructure and public sector matters. The group has a strong contentious offering handling pharmaceutical drug product liability cases and large-scale construction disputes. Philip Dupres handles contentious matters for a range of NHS trusts and Foundation Trusts in respect of ongoing disputes on their PFI schemes.

Practice head(s):

Michael O’Connor; Louise Dobson; Andrew Pettinger; Stephanie Townley


Testimonials

‘A really deep understanding of NHS structures and of the construction issues which arise with PFI and other financing projects. A fantastic work ethic and drive to win cases for their NHS clients.’

‘Thomas Hurst is both a work horse and a war horse. He is outstanding at putting together and managing teams in the most massive of healthcare cases. He also gets outstanding results.’

‘Sarah Wilson is absolutely on top of things, an exceptionally bright and switched-on lawyer. Sarah sees all the angles.’

Key clients

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust


Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust


Step Springfield Village Limited (a joint venture between Kajima Partnerships and Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures


Fulcrum Infrastructure Group Limited (FIG) and Fulcrum Infrastructure Management Limited


Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


GlaxoSmithKline


GB Partnerships Limited


Cambridge & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust


Assura Medical


Bupa Care Homes Mercia Healthcare


Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Limited


Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Limited


Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Serco Limited


Liverpool and Sefton Health Partnerships Limited


Thermo Fisher Scientific


Clinigen Group Plc


North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust


Bradford NHS Foundation Trust


Royal Free London NHS Trust


Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


West Sussex Estates Partnership Limited


Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Atlas BFW Management Limited


The Borough Council of Worthing and West Sussex Estates Partnerships


Recipharm AB


CatSci


Royal London


St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


Work highlights


  • Advising County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in relation to the construction of a new Shotley Bridge Hospital.
  • Advising St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (STHK) on its acquisition of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (SOHT), where STHK will subsume SOHT, and the trusts shall become a single NHS Trust.
  • Acting for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Limited to settle their multiparty TCC claim against Lendlease Construction.

Browne Jacobson LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP’s Manchester-based health practice continues to advise on policy, governance, procurement and infrastructure changes in the new NHS landscape and stands out with its healthcare inquest work. The group is the appointed primary provider of advice on complex and high value claims to MPS and sits on the clinical and non-clinical NHS Resolution panels. While co-head Gerard Hanratty leads the team advising NHS clients on matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, co-head Christian Dingwall specialises on advising on NHS corporate and service transformation. Rebecca Fitzpatrick leads the mental health and social care advisory team and Victoria Thourgood  is the firm’s lead for public health sector property work as well as the independent health sector.

Practice head(s):

Gerard Hanratty; Christian Dingwall


Other key lawyers:

Victoria Thourgood; Rebecca Fitzpatrick


Testimonials

‘The team fully understood and were up to date with the national and local policy/agenda which they interpreted and advised upon at regular intervals. They established a good working relationship with respective leads within the organisation but also wider stakeholders. They worked collaboratively with us to deliver on our key objectives and within a defined time frame.’

‘The individuals were both knowledgeable and personable. They translated the complex, legal context, making it understandable and enabled the internal team to apply this to the key deliverables. The individuals made themselves available for all key meetings and were always amenable to attending any other meetings/discussions.’

‘Browne Jacobson’s health experts’ impressive technical expertise is balanced with pragmatism – working alongside us to identify practical, workable and proportionate solutions which appropriately manage risk.’

‘Browne Jacobson have been more than just legal advisors over the last two years, they have been our partners working through some significant challenges. We have valued their ability to see the bigger picture and suggest innovative options, as well as their clarity on matters of law and our governing documents. When swift response was needed I have always been able to get hold of a member of the team for initial verbal advice, which is then followed up in writing.’

‘My main contact has been Christian Dingwall and I have found that he gets to know the clients needs and adjusts his offer accordingly whilst always keeping the client on the correct legal lines. I have more recently also worked with Jacqui Atkinson who has also been very insightful in aligning her advice to the specific needs of our organisations.’

‘Christian Dingwall’s name is synonymous with health service commercial law, and he is my go-to person for any challenging situation. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, coupled with his ability to command the confidence of boards and councils of governors means that he and his team are a real asset to any organisation. His ability to deal with live, time-sensitive situations in a balanced and objective way is a real testament to him and to the team.’

‘Christian Dingwall combines confidence and knowledge with charisma and a real ability to hold a room. Hina Ali is a real up and coming lawyer, who works hard to ensure that she delivers all that we ask for and more.’

‘Highest level of client care, always willing to go the extra mile.’

Key clients

NHS England


NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board


NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board


Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust


Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust


South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Bolton NHS Foundation Trust


Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust


Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust


Stockport NHS Foundation


Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust


Prime PLC


Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust


Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust


East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust


Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust


King’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust


Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust


Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board


Swansea Bay University Health Board


Hill Dickinson LLP

Hill Dickinson LLP‘s health practice provides a full-service offering to health sector organisations including inquest representation, healthcare governance, commercial transactions as well as inquiries and investigations. Recent client wins include Greater Manchester ICB and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. The team is ‘very personable, highly competent and professional with a vast range of experts who provide advice and support in plain English’ and is jointly headed by Joanna Trewin, Emma Stockwell, Sharon Thomas and Michael Wright. Paul Allerston is frequently instructed to represent clients in serious medical treatment matters.

Practice head(s):

Joanna Trewin; Emma Stockwell; Sharon Thomas; Michael Wright


Other key lawyers:

Elizabeth Wallace; Louise Wilson; Amy Clarke; Leah Selkirk; Joanna Crichton


Testimonials

‘The whole team is brilliant – super knowledgeable whilst being approachable’

‘Amy Clarke: I have personally recommended Amy to other clients, who have been really happy with her work. She is very good on both mental capacity and mental health work, and is able to advise quickly and thoroughly on a range of regulatory issues. She is also just great to work with – intelligent, insightful and has a great rapport with clients. Louise Wilson: Louise is a real star. She is the go-to solicitor for NHS England on really complex cases involving children with mental health diagnoses, and for good reason. She is precise, clear and helpful and judges like and trust her. Leah Selkirk: Leah is a great solicitor. She has done big cases in the Court of Appeal (E&F) and is a real leader in issues around children with mental health issues. She is very knowledgeable and easy to work with.’

‘All fee earners regardless of their seniority are incredibly knowledgeable and able to think out side of the box.’

Key clients

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust


Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust


St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


Bolton NHS Foundation Trust


Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


East Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


University Hospitals Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust


Spectrum Community Health CIC


NHS England


Work highlights


  • Represented Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in its application to the Court of Protection seeking declarations as to whether it was in patient’s best interests to undergo renal transplantation and if so whether he should undergo a prolonged period of post-operative sedation and to treat any disease recurrence.
  • Assisted Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust in avoiding any significant adverse media attention and to also avoid any adverse outcome such as a finding of neglect or a prevention of future deaths report and assisted in highlighting the relatively unknown dangers of damp and mould for the benefit and safeguarding of future lives.
  • Jointly represented Mersey Care and Spectrum at the Inquest into the death of a gentleman who died whilst a prisoner.

Weightmans LLP

Weightmans LLP’s health group continued to expand the team and increased its client portfolio after the merger with RadcliffesLeBrasseur LLP in June 2022. The practice acts for public bodies, public or private businesses, not for profit enterprises and individuals on a wide range of matters including high level judicial review cases, public inquiries where it has particular expertise, employment disputes, information management and governance reviews and investigations. The group is jointly led by Richard Jolly who focuses on the health work, most notably acting for a vast number of NHS trusts, Dewi Ap-Thomas who oversees the regulatory side of the practice and employment expert Emlyn Williams.

Practice head(s):

Richard Jolly; Dewi Ap Thomas; Emlyn Williams


Other key lawyers:

Martin English; Cheryl Rowbotham; Saira Ali; Morris Hill


Testimonials

‘The Weightmans health team are exceptionally good. I predominantly receive instructions from Morris Hill, but I often have interactions with other, more junior, members of the team and when I do I am consistently impressed.’

‘Morris Hill is exceptional – he is highly experienced and respected in the field. He deals with acutely complex and sensitive cases, including treatment withdrawal cases. We worked very closely on a very sensitive treatment case in a child which was our most significant case together. Although the case was high pressure, Morris always remained calm under pressure. He would be my first choice to recommend to a health authority in this area – he is excellent with clients and has a really nice manner with them, but equally he is pragmatic and sensible in his advice.’

Key clients

NHS Resolution


Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust


St Helens & Knowsley NHS FT


Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust


Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS FT


NHS Blood & Transplant


Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust


Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust


Liverpool University NHS FT


Alder Hey Children’s NHS FT


Countess of Chester NHS FT


Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust


NHS England


Bolton CCG


Mersey Care NHS FT


Partnership Caring Ltd


Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS FT


Wirral University Hospitals NHS FT


Work highlights


  • Advised St Helens & Knowsley NHS FT on its takeover of Southport & Ormskirk NHS FT.
  • Represented the NWAS, one of the key Core Participants at the Public Inquiry into the bombing at the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.
  • Advising NHS Blood & Transplant on its joint funding (with Cure Leukaemia) of and provision of services to ACT Limited, a newly formed company which together with its ACT Charity will build a clinical trial network in the UK.

Brabners LLP

Brabners LLP’s healthcare practice provides a comprehensive offering to practising healthcare professionals and healthcare providers ranging from healthcare-specific regulatory, fitness to practise, transactional, professional negligence, litigation, employment and property advice. The group is particularly known for its expertise in the pharmacy and dental sectors as well as the telemedicine and healthcare regulatory space. Pharmacy sector expert Richard Hough heads up the team which is particularly adept in handling dental practice and pharmacy sales and acquisitions where Liverpool-based Nicola Lomas is a key contact. David Seddon joined the partner ranks in May 2022.

Practice head(s):

Richard Hough


Other key lawyers:

David Seddon; Nicola Lomas; Chris Peace


Testimonials

‘Having a team devoted to my particular specialism in Pharmacy with a high level of sector knowledge and the nuances of the operational businesses within the sector, ultimately as an agent involved in M&A work this enhanced knowledge backed by a depth a legal resource to call on enhances the process for me and my clients giving quicker transaction times, and market leading commercially aware advice for all involved.’

‘Both David Seddon and Chris Peace personify what I describe above, they are pro- active, collaborative and when recommending either of them to buyer or seller in a deal I can be sure that it is a recommendation that I can rely on working our for the client.’

‘For me, it was clear from the outset of our transaction that the senior partner working on our case had a depth of professional knowledge around our niche area; a dental practice sale. At times I felt bad for our counterparts, who clearly did not have the same information or depth of understanding from their chosen solicitors.’

Key clients

Well Pharmacy


Pharmaceuticals Direct


Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine


The Bullen Healthcare Group


Medtrade Products


Treated.com


Dumbledore Dental Care


NorthWest EHealth


Centred Solutions


Chemist-4-u


Work highlights


  • Representing Pharmaceuticals Direct Limited in judicial review proceedings that relate to the awarding of contracts worth £102.6 million and £29.8 million respectively for the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Advising on 87 dental practice sales and acquisitions where transactions included both goodwill asset sales and purchases and share transactions and had a combined value of in excess of £78m.
  • Advised on various pharmacy practice sales and acquisitions, having completed 29 (34 pharmacy branches in total) deals with a combined value of £29.7m.

DAC Beachcroft LLP

DAC Beachcroft LLP’s ‘highly skilled health and social care team’ is adept in handling an array of matters including mental health, regulatory and governance issues, clinical negligence claims, misconduct proceedings and inquests. Sean Doherty  who specialises in clinical negligence claims and NHS advice, leads the group which is praised for its ‘deep specialist industry knowledge and subject matter expertise combined with innovative approaches.’ Oliver Crich is often called upon for his expertise in public procurement law, specialising in the health sector. Jane Marshall who joined in January 2023 from Weightmans LLP brings in her expertise in public sector pensions work.

Practice head(s):

Sean Doherty


Other key lawyers:

Sally Morris-Smith; Harald Loeffler; Jane Marshall; Chris Air


Testimonials

‘Consummate professionals with a wealth of experience and knowledge about legal, medical and commercial issues.’

‘Great sector knowledge (NHS and UK health market generally), client focused and able to give commercially balanced advice. Also provided advice in relation to medical devices.’

‘The team ensure that they have a real and genuine understanding of our business which in turn gives us confidence that the advice we receive will be tailored to our risk appetite and commercial drivers. This is particularly the case when it comes to data protection advice a subject that’s absolutely crucial to our business in the health sector.’

Key clients

NHS Resolution


NHS England


NHS Digital


MDU


Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust


Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust


York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust


Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Barnsley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust


Airedale NHS Foundation Trust


Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Harrogate NHS Foundation Trust


Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


City Health Care Partnership CIC


Humber NHS Foundation Trust


Health Research Authority


Circle (BMI Healthcare Ltd)


HCA International Ltd


Elysium Healthcare Ltd


Care Fertility Group Ltd


Florence Nightingale Hospital


Evodental


Insurance Corporation of the Channel Islands


SHA (South Africa)


MS Amlin


Zurich


Beazley


Allied World Assurance Company


North West Boroughs Healthcare


East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust


Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust


Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust


North West Boroughs Healthcare


East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust


NOE CPC


NHS SBS


Crown Commercial Services


Schoen Clinic UK


Work highlights


  • Advised Claimants solicitors and key stakeholders on the NHS Resolution led project on Duty of Candour with the aim of improving understanding of professional and statutory duties of candour and improving patient safety and learning.
  • Advised NHS Resolution on behalf of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the first application for Committal for Contempt of a Litigation Friend following a clinical negligence claim where Fundamental Dishonesty was raised.
  • Advised Health Services Safety Investigation Body (HSSIB), working with the Chair and Chief Inspector, on all aspects of the organisation’s establishment as an independent public body under The Health and Care Act 2022.

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher’s practice provides regulatory expertise, advice and litigation services to support start-ups and new organisations seeking to launch in the UK, seeking to expand or invest. The group works with online medical service providers and those developing digital health and AI in the health sector. Headed by regulatory expert Sarah Ellson who specialises in health and social care matters and bioscience regulation, the team is increasingly receiving instructions for prescribers, cross-jurisdictional device and tech companies as well as medical and dental practitioners.

Practice head(s):

Sarah Ellson


Other key lawyers:

Thomas Ward; Chloe Williams


Testimonials

‘Fieldfisher have a wealth of experience in the regulatory sector.’

‘Chloe Williams was responsive and approachable, dealing with a complex matter in a well thought our and sensitive manner.’

Key clients

Novartis Pharma AG


Shawbrook Bank


Cynergy Bank


Fresenius Kabi Ltd


The Covid-19 Inquiry


Marlowe plc – Optima Health Group Limited


Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority


Rowlands Pharmacies/Phoenix Healthcare


Human Tissue Authority


General Medical Council


Work highlights


  • Advised Novartis Pharma AG on local regulations and legislation in relation to Patient Support Programmes (PSPs) in over 38 countries.
  • Advising Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on a wide range of licensing and public law matters.
  • Assisting the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in relation to its set-up and establishment.

Mills & Reeve LLP

The team at Mills & Reeve LLP acts for NHS trusts, national bodies, charities and independent healthcare providers, with a focus on health tech and real estate matters. Jill Mason , primarily based in Birmingham, heads up the team which is adept in supporting clients from place-based partnerships and governance arrangements to contractual, regulatory and procurement work. While Chris Wilkinson has particular expertise in the pharmaceuticals sector, associate Jennifer Lewis draws on experience in public sector real estate with a focus on health in the primary care sector. With commercial and technology expertise Charlotte Lewis assists organisations across the health and social care system from system integration and organisational mergers to electronic patient record procurements.

Practice head(s):

Jill Mason


Other key lawyers:

Chris Wilkinson; Charlotte Lewis; Jennifer Lewis


Testimonials

‘I have a single initial point of contact with Mills & Reeve and if she is not able to cover all legal aspects of an instruction there will be someone who can be approached within the company.’

‘Jennifer has: An endearing way about her that is professional but ‘human’ which puts your mind at ease including GP practices which is an achievement in itself! – The ability to get her head around a situation and provide a solution – Proven been able to achieve the almost impossible ask within really tight deadlines. I have no issue recommending Mills & Reeve to others due to that effort and the growing level of achieving the required outcomes driven by her.’

Key clients

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust


L. Rowland & Company (Retail) Limited


NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group


Wellola Limited


Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust


NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board


Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust


Borough Care


Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


NHSX


Department of Health and Social Care


NHS England


NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board


Operose Health


NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board


Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust


Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust


NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board


Work highlights


  • Advising NHS England on their Digital First online consultation and video consultation framework.
  • Advising Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust with two lead Provider Collaboratives delivering mental health services.