The Legal 500

Within Defamation and privacy Defamation and privacy

Within Professional discipline, Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is a second tier firm,

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is ‘very good’ in the healthcare arena, regularly advising doctors and dentists in disciplinary disputes. It recently acted for an NHS trust in an inquest into a death during a hip-replacement procedure, and represented an optician from Boots in a fitness-to-practise hearing. It also advised a paediatrician involved in childcare proceedings on issues of confidentiality and responding to the press. The department is jointly headed by Gary Allison and Mike Brown, in London and Manchester respectively. Cardiff-based Jane Lang is also recommended.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, tier 8

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP has notable expertise in the public sector, and recently defended Westminster City Council in a significant unfair dismissal and discrimination claim. Kent Police and The Bar Council are other clients of Andrew McDonald and the team.

Within Health and safety, tier 4

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s London practice is led by Jennette Newman, and is supported by four other partners. The firm helped both HTC Plant Hire Limited and Mitsui in a variety of claims and an HSE investigation relating to a crane collapse at a construction site.

Within Clinical negligence: defendant, Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is a third tier firm,

Gary Allison leads an ‘excellent’ team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP which is ‘exceptional at all levels’, and has ‘sound judgement’: ‘a highly reliable and dedicated unit’. The firm acts for the MPS and DPL, FODO (the trade body for optometrists), and the RCN. It is arguably the most impressive performer of the non-NHSLA firms, in terms of both positive market feedback and claim values.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 7

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s Warren King and Catherine Hawkins are recommended for their expertise in the property sector, covering areas such as fire, flood and product liability. Clients include RSA, Ageas and Allianz.

Within Personal injury: claimant Leading individuals: Personal Injury

Within Personal injury: defendant, Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is a first tier firm,

Nick Pargeter’s disease team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is considered by some to be ‘the best in the market’. Boris Cetnik is ‘great strategically and technically’, and had a notable success in 2011 in Baker v Quantum Clothing Group. Head of injury Michael Pether is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘very popular with clients’; he leads a strong catastrophic and complex claims team featuring the well-regarded Jennette Newman and Jenny Moates. Local authority and police work is another key area. Pether leads on abuse cases.

Within Product liability: defendant, tier 4

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is in growth mode, promoting four partners nationally to handle an increase in healthcare and food law work. It is acting for Transform Medical Group in the PIP claims, and for key defendant Walmsleys in the ‘toxic sofa’ litigation. Jim Sherwood heads the London practice.

Within Professional negligence, Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is a third tier firm,

Led by the ‘renowned’ Charlotte Capstick, the ‘professional’ team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP covers a vast array of areas including legal, financial services, construction, insurance, social services, property and trade unions. Caterina Yandell, Simon Hilditch, Elliot Pound and Michael Salau are all recommended. Michael Harvey was recently promoted to the partnership.

Within Education: institutions, Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is a third tier firm,

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s ‘excellent’ team successfully defended Oxford Brooks University against alleged breaches of statutory obligations in Abramova v Oxford Brooks University. The firm also advised the Bar Standards Board in a tribunal dispute concerning fitness to practise and disability discrimination. Charlotte Capstick leads the practice, and Elliot Pound is recommended for his negotiating skills.

Within Education: schools, Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is a third tier firm,

Charlotte Capstick leads Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s team across London and Leeds, which advises on issues such as failure to educate, bullying, discrimination, and admissions and exclusions. Richard Wilkins is advising Drayton Manor High School regarding a public campaign against its proposal to adopt academy status. Leeds-based Roy Woollard was recently promoted to partner and is head of the education/children team.

Within Construction, tier 5

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP has notable experience in professional indemnity claims involving construction firms. Joint practice heads Michael Salau and Keith Lonsdale saw an uptick in fee disputes, and continue to represent clients including Aviva and Griffiths & Armour.

Within Environment, tier 5

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP advises various insurers on environmental matters, and has a presence in related litigation work. Michael Salau also advises on non-contentious matters.