The Legal 500

Back to Legal500 home

Hempsons

HEMPSONS HOUSE, 40 VILLIERS STREET, LONDON, WC2N 6NJ, ENGLAND
Tel:
Work 020 7839 0278
Fax:
Fax 020 7839 8212
DX:
138411 CHARING CROSS-1
Web:
www.hempsons.co.uk
Email:
Newcastle upon Tyne, Manchester, London, Harrogate

Bertie Leigh

Tel:
Work +44 20 7484 7513
Email:
Hempsons

Work Department

Healthcare

Position

Senior partner; specialises in medical negligence, other professional negligence, hospital litigation, institutions specifically concerned with obstetrics, anaesthetics and paediatrics; special interest in medical ethics, on which he writes articles and lectures.

Career

Articled Hempsons; qualified 1976; partner Hempsons 1977. Involved in many of the leading medical cases over the last 30 years, including the leading res ipsa loquitur cases of Saunders v Leeds HA (1985 1 29 FJ 25) and Lindsay v Mid Western Health Board (1992); several of the cases concerned with failed sterilisation and contraception, including Gold v Haringey HA 1987 3 WLR 649 (CA); several of the leading quantum actions including Thomas v Brighton HA 1998 (HL); numerous actions involving claims brought by brain-damaged babies, including Barker v Nugent 1987; Stockdale v Nicholls MLR 1992, Robertson v Nottingham HA, (1994) (CA), and various actions involving spinal surgery, including De Freitas v O'Brien (1993). Several cases involving non-consensual LSCS (including MB (CA)), the mixed up IVF twins in Leeds (2002); he conducted the first two successful costs capping applications in group actions in the Nationwide Retained Organs case and the Ledward rape allegations (2003); the duty of care of paediatricians to parents JD v East Berkshire Health Authority (HL 2005). Writings include chapters in Dewhurst's 'Obstetrics and Gynaecology' and Roberton and Rennie's 'Neonatology'.

Member

President Medico-Legal Society (2006-08); chairman NCEPOD (National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death 2008 to date); Hon FRCPCH (Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health 1997); FRCOG ad eundem (Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2003); governor City Lit (2005 to date); trustee CORE (2005 to date); trustee Save the Baby Fund (2008) to date).

Education

St Christopher School, Letchworth; University of East Anglia.

Practice Areas

Clinical negligence - defendant; Defamation and privacy; Healthcare

Back to index

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments worldwide

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

  • Jersey Royal Court considers measure of damages for dilapidations claims

    In the absence of any statutory provision in Jersey addressing how dilapidations claims are to be quantified, the Royal Court's decision in JSSL v Barclays has provided some much needed guidance, particularly in circumstances where there is an acceptance that works to redress dilapidations have not been and will not be carried out.
    - Ogier

  • English Supreme Court rules on Mistake and Hastings Bass

    On 9 May 2013 the English Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment on the seminal cases of Pitt-v- Holt and Futter -v- Futter , with Lord Walker's valedictory judgment conclusively resolving the English position on the rule in Hastings Bass and rescission on the ground of mistake.
    - Ogier

  • Getting the breaks

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
    - Falcon Chambers

  • Product liability and dietary supplements

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
    - Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP

  • The calm before 
the storm: are 
you prepared for 
a dawn raid?

    WilmerHale currently authors the Fraud and Corporate Crime section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
    - WilmerHale

  • International shipment of waste: transporters beware

    Burges Salmon LLP currently authors the Environment and Energy section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here
    - Burges Salmon LLP

  • Cyprus Shipping Industry : Business as usual. Why despite recent events Cyprus remains an internatio

    Cyprus is the third most populated island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Traditionally Cyprus has always been at the heart of the seafaring trade and therefore always functioned as an important centre for trade and commerce. Today as a member of the European Union it remains an optimal business base. It is one of the most attractive locations for foreign investments worldwide. Foreign companies have been given the opportunity to invest and establish business in Cyprus on equal terms with local investors as no distinction is made between foreign and Cypriot companies.
    - Michael Kyprianou & Co

  • FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

    The excellent support system in combination with the ideal jurisdiction provided in Cyprus set the country in the list of the most desirable countries through which you can offer foreign exchange operations. In addition, the accession of Cyprus within the European Union and, most importantly, the extremely beneficial economic advantages available due to the low costs and the outstanding taxation, create a covetable environment for foreign investors.
    - Michael Kyprianou & Co

  • National public order. Adoption of the Draft

    The Presidium of the Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation (hereinafter - SCC RF) adopted by the Informative Letter No. 156 dated the 26th of February, 2013 (hereinafter - the Informative Letter) on Review of the consideration by arbitrazh courts of the cases on the implementation of the public order clause as the ground for rejection of the recognition and enforcement of the foreign court decisions and arbitral awards.
    - Lidings Law Firm

  • China Customs New Interpretation

    For many products, tariff classification can be technically complex, confusing, and subject to multiple interpretations. Often several different Harmonized System Codes ("HS Code") may seem applicable for one given product with different tariff rates. Tariff classification is indeed a process of application of customs classification rules, including customs rulings and decisions, and misclassification may trigger severe legal consequences. The sad fact is, unfortunately, that many companies rely on non-legal professionals to determine the HS Codes for imports or exports. A recent interpretation issued by the General Administration of Customs of China ("GACC") (Circular No. [2012] 495 Shu-Fa-Fa) (the "Interpretation") reinforces the process of tariff classification as a legal matter, and formulates the test as to what counts for regulatory violation if tariff classification rules are improperly applied by the importer or exporter in a given case. If the legal defense is successful, misclassification may only be treated as a non-violation misclassification, with the possible obligation to pay up additional customs duties, if any, but without administrative or criminal consequences. The Interpretation took effect as from February 1, 2013.
    - Haoliwen Partners
© 2013 www.legal500.com