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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

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

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

Cayman Islands Introduces Beneficial Ownership Register

The Cayman Islands government has now introduced legislative changes which will require relevant companies (“Relevant Companies”) to prepare and maintain a register of beneficial owners (the “Register of Beneficial Owners ”).

- Stuarts, Walker Hersant Humphries Attorneys-At-Law

THE DANGERS OF CARTELS.

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp consider two recent cartel cases and examine why businesses must take care not to become involved in such behaviour.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE SFO AND SECTION TWO INTERVIEWS: WHY ROBUST DEFENCE IS NEEDED

Aziz Rahman explains why the SFO’s insistence that solicitors cannot be present for interviews under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act can be and should be challenged.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE FOURTH EU ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING DIRECTIVE: WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESS

With the Directive coming into effect, Aziz Rahman examines its implications.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE HUGE COSTS OF BRIBERY

Aziz Rahman looks at the case of Petrofac, explains how bribery can ruin a company and emphasises what must be done to prevent it.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CROSS-BORDER INVESTIGATIONS

The huge Petrobras bribery scandal has engulfed companies in many countries. Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain what needs to be done if your company is investigated in more than one country.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CORRUPTION: HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF

Aziz Rahman outlines why allegations of corruption in football should act as a warning to everyone in business about the need to prevent wrongdoing.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CHALLENGING FCA ACCUSATIONS

Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain how changes to the way the FCA investigates cases will make it easier for companies and individuals to negotiate the best possible outcome.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

OBTAINING A DPA

With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) becoming more common, Aziz Rahman considers how a company under investigation can enhance its chances of obtaining one in order to avoid prosecution.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

WHAT THE CRIMINAL FINANCES BILL MEANS FOR ASSET SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

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

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balance

Pitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.

- Pitmans LLP

Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting Requirements

On average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans acts on Westcoast’s acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Ltd

Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.

- Pitmans LLP

Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016

The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.

- Pitmans LLP

The Apprenticeship Levy

Following last year’s autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.

- Pitmans LLP

Coutinho -v- Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Ltd Judgment 29 April 2016

SOUTHAMPTON -- LV=, represented by Pitmans LLP, have won a case involving a fraudulent household insurance claim worth almost £50,000.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans promotes two Partners

Pitmans today announced that Oliver Kelly (corporate) and Matt Heyworth (private client) will become partners as of 1 May 2016.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advised the acquirer and the management team on the £12M MBO of Westfield Medical

The management team were backed by Maven Capital Partners with PNC providing debt facilities.

- Pitmans LLP

Supreme Court ruling will lead to increase in business rates

Many businesses will be liable for increased business rates following last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Woolway (Valuation Officer) v Mazars LLP.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advises Premier Marina Ltd on Noss Marina Acquisition

Pitmans has advised Premier Marinas Limited on its acquisition of Noss Marina, which is just outside Dartmouth, from the Administrators Duff & Phelps.

- Pitmans LLP