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Clinical negligence: claimant
Leading individuals

Clinical negligence: claimant

1
- Barcan+Kirby LLP (Bristol)
- Foot Anstey (Bristol, Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton, Truro)
- Irwin Mitchell (Bristol)
- Michelmores LLP (Exeter)
- Royds Withy King (Bath)
2
- Clarke Willmott LLP (Bristol)
- Tozers Solicitors LLP (Exeter)
- Trethowans LLP (Salisbury)
3
- Ashfords LLP (Taunton)
- Coles Miller Solicitors LLP (Poole)
- Simpson Millar LLP (Bristol)
- Slee Blackwell (Exeter)
- Thompsons Solicitors LLP (Bristol, Plymouth)
- Wards (Bristol, Keynsham)
- Wolferstans (Plymouth)

Leading individuals

1
- Andrew Hannam - Foot Anstey
- Richard Harries - Barcan+Kirby LLP
- Julie Lewis - Irwin Mitchell
- Paul Rumley - Royds Withy King
- Laurence Vick - Michelmores LLP

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Barcan Woodward and Kirby Sheppard merged to form Barcan+Kirby LLP, which clients consider ‘one of the best in the South West’. Richard Harries heads the team, which acts for claimants in high-value claims involving fatalities or serious injuries caused by late diagnoses or surgical negligence. Newly promoted senior associates Jay Nathwani and Claire Hurrell are also recommended.

Robert Antrobus’ department at Foot Anstey specialises in maximum severity cases and works closely with charities such as Headway. Claire Stoneman and Andrew Hannam are birth injury experts. Senior associate Alex McKnight arrived from Pryers Solicitors LLP.

Julie Lewis leads the ‘truly client-driven’ practice at Irwin Mitchell, which is considered ‘a market leader’ for cases involving elderly abuse, injuries to children and fatalities. Jonathan Peacock acts in inquests and abuse claims against social services and care homes.

Michelmores LLP stands in ‘a class of its own’. Laurence Vick, who heads the practice, ‘always goes the extra mile’ and is renowned for child cardiac surgery claims and matters involving jurisdictional issues. Bernadette McGhie is ‘an outstanding lawyer’ and continues to be active in maternal, birth and brain injury claims. Spinal injury expert Angie Maxwell was promoted to partner.

Royds Withy King is a ‘leading firm’ for catastrophic birth injury cases. Key figures include practice head Simon Elliman, who handles dental negligence, cerebral palsy and spinal injury claims; ‘first-rate solicitor’ Paul Rumley; and Kerstin Kubiak, who stands out for her ‘exceptional analysis’.

At Clarke Willmott LLP, Kerry Fifield focuses on cerebral palsy, stillbirth and neonatal fatality claims. Brain injury expert Marguarita Tyne arrived from Simpson Millar LLP.

Tozers Solicitors LLP is noted for its ‘excellence in the field of brachial plexus injuries’, including Erb’s palsy. Endurance Arthur and Stuart Bramley head the department. Tony Mills retired in 2015.

At Trethowans LLP, department head Clare Carter ‘fights fiercely for clients’ on birth injury and cerebral palsy claims. Other areas of expertise for the practice include delayed cancer diagnosis and surgical negligence.

Ashfords LLP is well regarded for delayed cancer diagnosis cases, and Jason Squire is noted for his expertise in malpractice and cosmetic surgery claims.

At Coles Miller Solicitors LLP, department head David Simpson is ‘a great asset’ in cases involving cauda equine syndrome and mismanaged labour. Lydia Barnett made partner.

Simpson Millar LLP’s caseload includes spinal injury and Erb’s palsy claims.

Slee Blackwell undertakes cosmetic surgery negligence and birth injury claims, with Mike Clarke leading on brain injury cases. Legal executive Oliver Thorne heads the practice.

Thompsons Solicitors LLP excels in urological, maternal birth injury and orthopaedic claims. Senior solicitor Madeleine Pinschof is ‘intelligent, efficient and likeable’.

Under the leadership of Alison Underhill, Wards provides ‘excellent service’ in claims involving delayed cancer diagnosis and surgical negligence.

At Wolferstans, Barry Bayley excels in cerebral palsy claims.

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Press releases

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Legal Developments in South West for Clinical negligence: claimant

Continued uncertainty for international manufacturers in the US

For manufacturers that export, a key strategic issue for in-house counsel is assessing the risk of being sued in another jurisdiction - particularly the US.  

- Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

CHALLENGING FCA ACCUSATIONS

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Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the changes likely when the Criminal Finances Bill becomes law.

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THE POLICING AND CRIME ACT 2017

Aziz Rahman talks through the Act’s implications for those in business in the UK.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
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Aziz Rahman examines what the deferred prosecution agreement the supermarket giant has reached with the SFO may mean for other corporates.

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With banks being investigated over alleged Russian money laundering, Aziz Rahman examines the precautions financial professionals must take.

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Why the VW emissions-testing scandal is as much about fraud, compliance and liability as it is about clean air.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
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Arrests over alleged landfill tax fraud have put environment-related business crime in the spotlight. Aziz Rahman explains how such accusations can be challenged.

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Government moves to force people to justify the source of their wealth will make the right legal representation even more crucial.

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Press Releases in the UK