Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Personal injury: defendant in North West

Clyde & Co

Clyde & Co‘s vast defendant PI team is the result of its 2022 merger with BLM, when such experienced figures as public sector casualty specialist Jonathan Clay joined the team. Numerous panel appointments – including Arch, Lambeth, Wood, Tesco and Aviva – have followed from the merger, as the firm continues to expand in this area. Specialist subdivisions of the practice include insurance fraud, insurance costs, occupational disease and regulatory compliance. Among the other key names at the firm are transport sector catastrophic industry specialist Ruth GrahamAndrew Kerr, who focuses on large loss claims; spinal injuries and chronic pain expert David Spencer; and skilled mesothelioma claims lawyer David Wynn. Nicola Overmire and Chris Eccles are also highly recommended.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Clay; Chris Murray; David Wynn; Damian Rourke; Peter Unsworth; Melanie Mooney; Siobhan Mullins; Paul Wainwright; Chris Fletcher; Simon Jones; Luisa Lamb; Stuart Furniss; Mark Hemstead


Other key lawyers:

Nicola Overmire; Chris Eccles; Ruth Graham; Andrew Kerr; David Spencer


Testimonials

‘Following their merger, Clyde & Co benefit from the expertise of the former BLM partners based in Manchester, renowned for their in-depth knowledge of the liability insurance market.’

‘The best Manchester catastrophic injury team. Personable and knowledgeable practitioners. Great relationship with insurers.’

‘Having taken over BLM’s partners, Clyde & Co are now at the forefront of defendant PI litigation. They are fantastically resourced and they have excellent people.’

Key clients

Admiral Insurance


Affinity Water


Ageas


AIG


AIM Mutual


Akzo Nobel Group


Allianz


Arch Insurance


Armour


Aspen


Aviva


AXA Group


AXA XL


Balfour Betty


Barclays Bank


Berkshire Hathaway Group


Bentley


Berkley Homes


Bloor Homes


Boparan


Bouygues


Bradford MBC


British Car Auctions


British Land


Broadspire (Crawfords)


Builders Direct


Capita


Care UK


Carlsberg


Catalina


Center Parcs


Chubb


City of Wolverhampton Council


CNA Hardy


Coca Cola Europacific Partners


Costa


Covea


Cucina


Derby City Council


Direct Line Group


Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council


Ecclesiastical


European Risk Insurance Company hf.


Fairmead Insurance(formerly L&G)


Faraday


First Port


Gallagher Bassett


Generali


Glen Dimplex


Grosvenor Casinos Limited


Hamilton Managing Agency Ltd


Hastings


HCA International


HDI


Herefordshire Council


Hiscox


Holts


Honeywell Group


Ikea


Insurance London Consortium (9 London Boroughs)


InterContinental Hotels Group


Intu


Ironshore


Jet2


Jet2 Holidays


Karro Food Group


Kent County Council


Kentucky Fried Chicken


Lastminute.com


Liberty Mutual Insurance


LV=


MAG


Manchester Underwriting


Marsh


Marshall of Cambridge


Matalan


Mecca Bingo Limited


Metrolink


MIB


Moto


MS Amlin


National Express


National Trust


New India Assurance


New Line


NFU Mutual


North Somerset Council


Northern Rail


Odeon


Olympic Holidays


One Insurance Limited


Peel Ports


Pen Underwriting plc


Persimmon


Plum Underwriting


Pro Global


Protector


QBE


QuestGates


Red Sea Holidays


Redrow


Regis


Ringway Jacobs


Riverstone


Royal Opera House


RSA


Ryder


Sandals


Sedgwick


Shropshire Council


Sompo International


Subway


Telford & Wrekin Council


Tesco


Thames Valley Police


The Arcadia Group


The Davies Group


The Rank Group


TK Maxx


Tokio Marine


Towergate


Transdev


Travelers


Travelodge


Travis Perkins / Wickes


TSB


Vero Insurers


Vista Brokers


Wakefield MBC


Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council


Warburtons


Transdev


Travelers


Travelodge


Travis Perkins / Wickes


TSB


Vero Insurers


Vista Brokers


Wakefield MBC


Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council


Warburtons


Whitbread (Premier Inn, Brewers Fayre, Beefeater)


Wilko


Willis Towers Watson


Woodgate & Clark


XL Catlin Group


Zurich


Forbes Solicitors

Defendant-side personal injury is one of Forbes Solicitors‘ flagship specialisms, and the firm is known for its high-value construction injury claims and personal injury fraud expertise. Chris Booth, head of the insurance department and the firm’s anti-fraud and disease units, has nearly three decades of experience in the field. Further names to note are head of the large loss sub-team Paul Geldard, head of abuse claims Kella Bowers, and head of regulatory Ridwaan Omar. Andrew Ellis and Elizabeth Bower, managing partners of the firm’s Manchester and Blackburn offices, respectively, are also core members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Chris Booth; Paul Geldard; Kella Bowers; Elizabeth Bower; Ridwaan Omar; Andrew Ellis


Other key lawyers:

Nicola Dawn; Lucy Harris


Testimonials

‘Forbes offer us a very personal level of service with one partner overseeing the defence of the vast majority of claims against us.’

‘Andrew Ellis – supportive, knowledgeable and always happy to give advice.’

‘This firm has the knowledge to give the best advice in regards to claims being brought against ourselves. They guide us through the whole process and take our thoughts into account when decisions are being made.’

Key clients

Co-operative Group Ltd


Galliford Try Plc


Rochdale Borough Council


Sportscover Europe


AXA Liabilities Managers (Insurer)


Cunningham Lindsay International t/a Sedgwick


Zurich Insurance


Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council


Lloyds Syndicate 2525


Charles Taylor Adjusters


Morgan Sindall Plc


Salford Council


Gallagher Bassett


Broadspire/Crawford


RSA


Wigan Council


Travelers


Guinness Partnership


Kepak Group


AIG


Calico Homes


Carlisle Council


Conwy Council


Cumbria Council


Cumbria Fire and Rescue


Flintshire Council


Gwynedd Council


Lancaster City Council


Manchester City Council


Preston City Council


Symphony Housing Group


Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council


Warrington Borough Council


Doncaster Council


Highways Wales


LTE Group/Manchester College


Calderdale Council


QBE


Protector


Salix Housing


Work highlights


  • Instructed to act for Rotherham MBC with regards to numerous claims arising out of child sexual exploitation.
  • Instructed to act on behalf of a local authority with regards to a multimillion pound claim for catastrophic injuries to a child allegedly caused due to defective park design.
  • Instructed to act for a large retail group in a multi-claimant motor claim, involving fraud and fundamental dishonesty across the group.

Kennedys

Kennedys‘ personal injury practice directly assists hospitality, transport and top-level sports sector clients, alongside a range of the UK’s largest insurers. James Shrimpton oversees the Manchester practice, though based primarily in Birmingham. Key names in the North West team include employers’ liability specialist Gordon Davidson, leisure and retail sector claims expert Richard McKeown, and the sports industry focussed Christopher Oldfield. Lauren Gosnell is notable for her expertise in catastrophic claims, including those involving tetraplegia, paraplegia and other spinal cord injuries. Legal director Ian Ford is recommended for construction industry claims work. Fraud expert Martin Stockdale is also key.

Practice head(s):

James Shrimpton


Other key lawyers:

Gordon Davidson; Richard McKeown; Christopher Oldfield; Ian Ford; Lauren Gosnell; Martin Stockdale


Testimonials

‘Great for sporting-related personal injury work.’

‘Christopher Oldfield is very experienced.’

‘Kennedys has an established reputation as a leading national defendant/insurance firm and the office in Manchester maintains and enhances that reputation. The firm is extremely well organised with enviable levels of IT/technology support that enables cases to be efficiently and professionally defended.’

Key clients

Hilton Hotels


JD Wetherspoon Plc


Chubb


Abellio Transport Holdings Limited


MJ Gleeson


Marston’s Plc


The Innovation Group


UK Athletics


Atalian Servest Limited


The Go Ahead Group


Atalian Servest Ltd


Revolution Bars Group Plc


British Cycling


Wilko


Lanes for Drains PLC


Keoghs LLP

Keoghs LLP has a large subdivided team, overseen by technical and strategy directors Gary Fitzpatrick and Don Clarke. They are supported by head of counter fraud strategy Damian Ward, head of disease Peter Kenworthy, head of catastrophic loss Ken Young, head of abuse Ian Carroll, and head of corporate risk Andrew Evans. Key among the litigators are chronic pain and amputations expert Mark Whalley, motor and sports injuries specialist Mike Pope, and Emma Spencer, who focuses on severe brain injuries. The team is particularly notable for its experience in historic abuse claims.

Practice head(s):

Gary Fitzpatrick; Don Clarke; Damian Ward; Peter Kenworthy; Ken Young; Ian Carroll; Andrew Evans


Other key lawyers:

Mark Whalley; Mike Pope; Libby Ferrie; Emma Spencer; Gary Petterson


Testimonials

‘Keoghs remains one of the leading firms for insurance personal injury work in the country. They have well-structured teams with good quality people handling the biggest cases.’

‘Libby Ferrie is an excellent, knowledgeable and approachable practitioner.’

‘The Keoghs team is incredibly meticulous and comprehensive. Upon instruction they are happy to exhaust all options and provide careful and considerate advice. I would describe the team as highly intelligent and reliable. They are all approachable and are focused on delivering fair and swift conclusions.’

Key clients

esure


LV=


Allianz


Zurich


Motor Insurers’ Bureau


Mulsanne


First Central


AXA Insurance


Work highlights


  • Acted on behalf of Hastings Direct/Advantage Insurance in a case dealing with contributory negligence associated with passengers accepting lifts from intoxicated drivers.
  • Acting on behalf of Manchester City Football Club via the Football League and its insurers in relation to the successful defence of eight civil claims arising from sexual abuse committed by former coach and local football scout, Barry Bennell.

Weightmans LLP

The ‘technically gifted‘ team at Weightmans LLP, notable for its longstanding working relationship with the MIB, has broad experience across a range of catastrophic injury work. Claims director Rob Williams leads the team. David Holt specialises in non-indemnity insurance work and catastrophic injury claims, while Will Quinn covers the liability insurers’ wing of the practice, with clients including Zurich and AIG. Also key are brain and spinal injury expert Emerson Wallwork, and Louise Mutch, who focuses on large loss and technical claims.

Practice head(s):

Rob Williams


Other key lawyers:

Emerson Wallwork; Will Quinn; David Holt; Louise Mutch; Andrew Steel


Testimonials

‘One of the go-to northern insurance giants.’

‘Will Quinn – experienced, knowledgeable, tactically astute insurance lawyer.’

‘They have excelled throughout and provided me with exemplary support in high-profile litigation in the Court of Appeal and in the settlement of numerous difficult disputes.’

‘David Holt has stand out experience, knowing the world of RTAs and wider personal injury inside out.’

‘The Weightmans team in Manchester is very strong and well regarded. They always strike me as a very modern team – always ahead of the big developments in our sector, involved in the highest profile cases and comfortable with the use of technology to improve their offering.’

‘Emerson Wallwork is an outstanding solicitor – more knowledgeable and tactically sensible than most.’

‘An excellent, technically gifted catastrophic injury team.’

Key clients

Zurich


Motor Insurers Bureau


AIG Europe


AXAXL Insurance


PwC (Chester Street Holdings)


Municipal Mutual Insurance


Ageas Insurance


Tesco Underwriting


First Central Insurance


InterEurope AG Insurance


Covea Insurance


Octagon Insurance


Travellers Insurance Co


HDI Global


Hiscox Insurance


Esure Insurance


Prometheus Insurance


Hastings Direct


Markerstudy Insurance


Berkshire Hathaway Speciality Insurance


Liberty Mutual


Markel Insurance


DCL Insurance


Broadspire/Crawfords


Protector Insurance


Vinci


Rolls Royce


Jaguar Land Rover


Lidl Stores


Nestle


BP


DHL Logistics


Severn Trent


Gallagher Bassett


Hundreds of Local Authorities and Police Authorities


Work highlights


  • Instructed by Markel to act on behalf of an insured care home.
  • Acting in a contributory negligence claim against a 13-year-old child in a road traffic case on behalf of the MIB.
  • Obtained a settlement on behalf of Markerstudy in the case of Stammers v Dyson.

DWF

DWF has a comprehensive personal injury practice, recommended for ‘depth of skill and expertise‘, under the leadership of global head of major injury Ian Slater. The firm has particular strength in handling personal injury fraud, with experienced fraud specialist Stuart Poole and claims farming expert Jewels Chamberlain dealing with this aspect of the practice. Tom Higson leads on catastrophic injury work and has particular experience in claims involving amputations, spinal injuries and chronic pain. ‘Extremely efficient and able‘ legal director Hannah Fitzgerald is also key, as is 'standoutSarah Mir. Colin Bushell departed for an in-house position at Action 365.

Practice head(s):

Ian Slater; Rob McKee; Tom Higson; Jewels Chamberlain; Stuart Poole


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Mir; Hannah Fitzgerald


Testimonials

‘Lots of good defendant lawyers in this team.’

‘Hannah Fitzgerald – very good at client relationships and spent some time on secondment with one of the insurers cementing her relationship with them. Commercially aware and very alive to the risks of litigation.’

‘Real depth of skill and expertise across all years of practice. The team make excellent use of technology to share material and really ensure collaborative working is as straightforward as possible. Highly responsive and always extremely personable. The team are wonderful to work with and for.’

Key clients

RSA


NFU Mutual


Direct Line Group


Allianz/LV


Hastings


First Central


Sabre


Admiral


Aviva


QBE


Markerstudy


Insure the Box


Covea


Ageas


LV=


Garwyn


KGM Underwriting


Esure


Amlin No


Action 365 No


RSA Ireland


Work highlights


  • Instructed by RSA Insurance to defend a personal injury claim brought by a claimant seeking damages for injuries comprising a traumatic brain injury with associated balance and fatigue problems, vertigo, severe migraines and PTSD.
  • Acting for Markerstudy to defend claims made by two claimants who were found to be fundamentally dishonest.
  • Settled a through knee amputation claim on behalf of RSA.

Horwich Cohen Coghlan Solicitors

Horwich Cohen Coghlan Solicitors handles an impressive array of claims, ranging from motor accidents to cases of modern slavery. The team is led by Mark Woodall, who has a strong record in representing insurers, self-insured defendants and UK claims handlers for foreign insurers, and is recommended for his ‘tactical nous and extremely detailed knowledge’. He is supported by Leanne Thomson, who was promoted to partner in 2022.

Practice head(s):

Mark Woodall


Other key lawyers:

Leanne Thomson


Testimonials

‘The attention to detail paid by the team is outstanding. Every claim is thoroughly prepared with a fine tooth comb. However, this approach does not lead to nitpicking over inconsequential points, but allows the team to identify the best points and provide their clients with clear and realistic advice.’

‘Mark Woodall is particularly impressive. He is proactive and has a detailed knowledge of all his cases. He has an approachable manner which belies his tactical nous and extremely detailed knowledge.’

‘Mark Woodall has always made us feel like we are being treated as his only clients, whereas we are now only a small unit. We have never had any cause for complaint, whether it be timely reports, advice and going that extra mile to ensure we are happy and understand his thought process throughout.’