Laura Hilton > Park Square Barristers > Leeds, England > Barrister Profile

Laura Hilton

0113 245 9763

Work Department

Personal Injury, Civil Fraud and Clinical Negligence

Position

Laura was called to the Bar in 2021, having transferred over following qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2016 and subsequently as a solicitor in 2017.

Laura secured tenancy at Park Square Barristers in 2022 following a short conversion pupillage in which she dealt with a significant number of small claims civil hearings, in addition to application hearings, Stage 3 hearings, and personal injury fast-track trials. Laura is up to date with all relevant credit hire case law, and acts for both Claimants and Defendants in this area. Laura also receives regular instructions to draft statements of case and to advise on quantum in both personal injury and clinical negligence claims.

During pupillage Laura has sought to develop her regulatory practice. Laura has undertaken a noting brief in a recent high-profile corporate manslaughter trial on behalf of an interested insurer client, and has shadowed an experienced member of Chambers during inquest proceedings touching upon the death of a suspect fleeing police arrest.

Laura has also been instructed by the Government Legal Department on behalf of Ofqual, to undertake work relating to the exam procedures review service.

Laura has a particular interest in personal injury claims involving allegations of fundamental dishonesty, and is keen to expand her civil fraud practice. Laura is also actively seeking to expand her regulatory practice.

Prior to qualification as a solicitor, Laura was employed as a paralegal in a number of regional Claimant personal injury firms. Laura held a management role providing in-house litigation training to junior fee earners, in addition to handling a range of employers’ liability, public liability, and RTA claims. Laura also dealt with cases involving allegations of low velocity impact, staged accidents, and occupancy issues.

The majority of Laura’s time in practice as a solicitor was spent in the Complex and Catastrophic Injury team at DAC Beachcroft’s Leeds office where Laura acted on behalf of major insurer clients such as Zurich and QBE, in addition to local NHS Trusts and NHS Resolution, in both fast and multi-track injury claims.

As a solicitor, Laura assisted on traumatic brain and spinal injury cases, pleaded excess of £1million, often involving Claimants requiring extensive rehabilitation and/or the involvement of the Court of Protection. Laura has experience of claims involving fatal accidents and amputations, and where complex issues such as subtle brain injury, chronic pain, fibromyalgia and psychological injury are pleaded. Laura has extensive practical experience of drafting pleadings, applications and advice, preparing for trials and appeal, attending conferences with experts and witnesses, and undertaking interim advocacy.

Laura joined The University of Law in early 2020 as a Visiting Lecturer at the Leeds campus, teaching the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence elective of the LPC. She is now a Tutor at the ULaw Online campus, supervising the Personal Injury module of the online LPC, the Dispute Resolution and Tort modules of the new SQE course, and the Civil Dispute Resolution module of the online undergraduate LLB and apprenticeship courses. Laura also assesses the practical skills of advocacy and interviewing as part of the LPC.

Laura enjoys working with law students at all levels, and is happy to provide assistance and/or guidance regarding career development events and opportunities. Laura can also assist with in-house litigation training where required. Please contact Laura’s clerks for further information.

Career

2021 Year call, (Solicitor 2017)

2011-2012 – Paralegal – Cogent Law LLP, Leeds

2012-2014 – Paralegal – Minster Law Ltd, York

2014-2017 – Paralegal, Complex & Catastrophic Injury – DAC Beachcroft LLP, Leeds

2017-2018 – Solicitor, Catastrophic Injury – DWF LLP, Leeds

2018-2020 – Solicitor, Complex and Catastrophic Injury – DAC Beachcroft LLP, Leeds

2020 – Present – Visiting Lecturer/Tutor – The University of Law

2021 – Pupil at Park Square Barristers

2022 – Tenant at Park Square Barristers

Memberships

2017 – The Law Society

2021 – The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

2021 – Personal Injuries Bar Association

Education

2007
LLB Law with Criminology, Keele University

2008
Legal Practice Course, The College of Law