The Legal 500

Within Fraud: civil , tier 5

Capsticks has recently been appointed by NHS Counter Fraud as the sole national provider of counter fraud legal services to NHS bodies seeking civil recovery. Daniel Purcell’s team has ‘immense’ knowledge of the healthcare sector.

Within Defamation and privacy Defamation and privacy

Within Professional discipline, Capsticks is a first tier firm,

The ‘leading’ team at Capsticks has a ‘well-deserved reputation for excellence’, and is praised for its ‘good, up-to-date knowledge of regulatory law and issues’. Headed by John Witt, the five-partner team has ‘a wealth of experience’ in the healthcare sector, acting for five out of the nine healthcare regulatory bodies in the UK. Clients include the General Dental Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the General Chiropractic Council, the General Optical Council, the General Social Care Council, the General Pharmaceutical Council and the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Key individuals include the ‘excellent’ Mark Whiting; and Peter Steel, who is ‘able to produce top-quality work within tight deadlines’. Also recommended are Daniel Purcell, Annie Sorbie, Jane Barker, and the ‘conscientious’ Shaun O’Malley.

Within Employment, tier 7

Specialist healthcare firm Capsticks advises the Department of Health, NHS entities and PCTs in high-profile litigation, and is assisting in developing the legal framework for the NHS reforms. Recent cases include Woodcock v Cumbria PCT; Sarkar v West London Mental Health NHS Trust (relating to dismissal procedures); and Tapere v SLAM (relating to TUPE). Peter Edwards is ‘very knowledgeable’;Martin Hamilton and Tina Elliott are ‘absolutely top rate’; and Andrew Rowland is ‘measured and knowledgeable’.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant Leading individuals

Within Clinical negligence: defendant , Capsticks is a first tier firm,

Among ‘the best firms to deal with’, Capsticks’ team is ‘very competent and user friendly’, and is headed by Peter Marquand. Majid Hassan, Robert Wilson and the ‘professional, courteous and approachable’ Philip Hatherall are also recommended. The team successfully defended Kingston Hospital NHS Trust against a catastrophic brain damage claim.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI) , tier 6

Capsticks ‘adds value to a deal through its unequalled knowledge of the health industry’. In 2010, the firm was busy advising health sector clients on variations to PFI arrangements, as well as handling new NHS LIFT schemes.

Within Administrative and public law, tier 5

‘The best niche law firm in healthcare’, Capsticks has experience in NHS governance, consultation, procurement, and reconfiguration matters. The ‘expert team’ is advising on the reorganisation of NHS bodies following the pending abolition of PCTs, and is advising the South Central Strategic Health Authority on the fluoridation of water case. David Mason is ‘one of the most competent lawyers for service improvement in healthcare’, and Gerard Hanratty is also recommended.

Within Healthcare, Capsticks is a first tier firm,

The highly regarded practice at Capsticks is ‘willing to go the extra mile’, and in 2010 dealt with a number of public sector reorganisations and redevelopments, including advising Wandsworth PCT on the transfer of its £93m community services business and its £15m support services business. Peter Edwards’ team, which acts out of the firm’s Birmingham and London offices, is also at the forefront of policy development, and assisted NHS London with the preparation of guidance for PCTs, GPs and hospital commissioners. Primary care head James Reynolds, Colin Lynch, John Witt, Alison Morley and Gary Hay are recommended.

Within Overview,

The healthcare sector is set for substantial reform once the Health and Social Care Bill is fully implemented. Firms are already experiencing an increased workload relating to GP consortia and outsourcing agreements. Capsticks is the top legal adviser to the NHS, although other firms may benefit from a shift towards private sector provision in the area.

Within Commercial property, tier 7

Capsticks provides ‘timely, sound advice’ to its mainly NHS healthcare client base. It advised City and Hackney Teaching Primary Care Trust on developing a GP health centre under LIFT, and associated property work. Philip Brown heads the team.