Barcan+Kirby LLP is well-regarded for its work representing claimants in clinical negligence and personal injury disputes. The firm’s clinical negligence practice, under the leadership of Richard Harries, is engaged for a range of complex claims involving errors in surgery, delayed diagnoses and birth injuries. Harries is particularly focused on birth injury cases as well as matters involving cancer. Claire Hurrell is recognised for her work in obstetric-related claims, while Helen Franklin was promoted to partner in April 2022 and has a focus on cases involving amputations. Senior associate Jayshree Nathwani is another experienced figure in the team and has previously acted as a professional deputy for clients who lack capacity. On the personal injury front, Samantha Castle and highly experienced senior associate Myfanwy Buckeridge are the key names to note. The practice focuses on incidents at work and road traffic accidents, with a particular focus on representing cyclists who have suffered injuries. Claims handled by the team range from soft tissue injuries and fractures through to life-changing head injuries.
Personal injury and clinical negligence; claimant in South West
Barcan+Kirby LLP
Practice head(s):
Richard Harries
Other key lawyers:
Jayshree Nathwani; Helen Franklin; Claire Hurrell; Samantha Castle; Myfanwy Buckeridge; Emily Williamson; Fiona Dabell
Testimonials
‘A highly specialist clinical negligence firm with lawyers who really care about their clients and know how best to achieve the best for them.’
‘I felt the team were sensitive to my bad experience, very clear, informative and thorough. This was invaluable since I had no previous experience of a clinical negligence claim. I felt in safe hands and believe the team extremely skilled and professional.’
‘This is a very well established firm with a long history of effective and professional legal services. I have worked with them for the last 32 years and they have embraced both the developments in technology and legal changes during that time.’
‘I recently recommended Barcan + Kirby’s clinical negligence team to a friend. If I were in the unfortunate position of having suffered potential clinical negligence they are the firm I would choose to instruct. I consider them to be the leading clinical negligence firm in Bristol. I have worked them over several years and my experience is that cases are handled with empathy, efficiency and expertise.’
‘Richard Harries is an excellent clinical negligence practitioner. He is intelligent, considered, thorough, personable and empathetic. Myfanwy Buckeridge is an outstanding personal injury solicitor. She is highly experienced and knowledgeable. She has a very good manner and handles cases superbly. Jay Nathwani is a pleasure to work with. She is capable and diligent.’
‘I work mostly with Claire Hurrell and senior associates Jay Nathwani and Fiona Dabell. Their clear understanding of the medical matters means that cases proceed without repeated requests for clarification, which happens with some firms. I see them in conference with claimants and their families and they are sensitive, empathetic but also clear in their explanations, managing the expectations skillfully.’
‘Richard Harries is one of the best in the business. I have worked closely with Charlotte Tracey and have found her to be intelligent, hard working and remarkably experienced.’
‘Senior associate Myfanwy Buckeridge is outstandingly thorough, calm and astute. Her part-time role as a coroner gives her an excellent ‘feel’ for what will work or otherwise in applications.’
Work highlights
Clarke Willmott LLP
The personal injury team at Clarke Willmott LLP, led by Lee Hart, specialises in handling high-value claims such as neurological and spinal injuries as well as amputations. Hart has broad expertise in this space, and is frequently instructed on claims arising from road traffic accidents and injuries at work. He works between the team’s Bristol and Taunton offices; Philip Edwards is another name to note in Bristol, and also spends time in the Birmingham office. Associate James Edmondson is increasingly active in handling secondary victim claims, as well as cases involving fatal accidents. Chris Thorne coordinates both the personal injury and clinical negligence teams on a national basis, with a personal workload focused on clinical negligence. Other key figures in clinical negligence include Kerry Fifield, who predominantly focuses on birth injury claims, and Marguarita Tyne, who is noted for her work on matters related to strokes. Tyne is regularly instructed on catastrophic injury cases and other claims related to delays in diagnosis.
Practice head(s):
Chris Thorne; Lee Hart
Other key lawyers:
Philip Edwards; James Edmondson; Kerry Fifield; Marguarita Tyne
Testimonials
‘A good team who know clinical negligence.’
‘Kerry Fifield is thorough and calm and really cares about her clients.’
‘Marguarita Tyne is brilliant with complex and difficult cases.’
‘Kerry Fifield has a mass of difficult cases which she tackles with ease.’
Work highlights
Coles Miller Solicitors LLP
At Coles Miller Solicitors LLP, the personal injury team represents clients who have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of road traffic accidents, accidents at work and incidents in public places, handling disputes over causation, liability and quantum. The practice’s workload includes acting for claimants who lack capacity as a result of their injuries, as well as handling cases where the incident in question occurred outside the UK. Adrian Cormack leads the team and has a focus on brain injury cases. In the clinical negligence space, the team’s work includes handling claims resulting from delays in diagnosis and treatment as well as from errors in surgery. David Simpson leads this practice and alongside Lydia Barnett is instructed on cases involving brain, renal and orthopedic injuries. Christopher Whittle handles both personal injury and clinical negligence cases, with a focus on negligent dental treatment.
Practice head(s):
David Simpson; Adrian Cormack
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Whittle; Lydia Barnett
Testimonials
‘The team here have been so very professional whilst being candid and open. We’re always kept up to date with regular correspondence, and have the upmost confidence in our team, from their experience, tenacity and professionalism.’
‘They were extremely thorough in building my case & managed my expectations realistically.’
‘A very good team with an excellent practitioner in charge.’
Key clients
Ms Amanda Young
Work highlights
- Representing a client in a claim alleging a material delay in treating a fracture non-union of the humerus following a fall including the delayed reporting of an MRI.
Coodes Solicitors
Coodes Solicitors has a combined personal injury and clinical negligence team led by Rachel Pearce and Julie Hatton, who are active across both areas. On the personal injury side, the team is often instructed on injuries arising from road traffic accidents and incidents in the workplace, including fatal accidents as well as fractures and psychological injuries. The practice’s clinical negligence cases include complex matters involving mistakes in surgery, delayed diagnosis and errors in treatment. Catherine Hyde is another name to note in the team, with a focus on personal injury claims.
Practice head(s):
Rachel Pearce; Julie Hatton
Other key lawyers:
Sharon Parsons; Catherine Hyde
Testimonials
‘They have a strong background in and knowledge of clinical negligence work. Excellent knowledge of local medical scene and issues’
‘Excellent knowledge and customer relations. Always helpful whether in discussion by phone or writing. We predominantly liaise with Julie Hatton and Sharon Parsons who have excellent knowledge of their brief.’
Key clients
IB
AM
KN
Mrs R
Mr Rudd deceased
Ida Hector
Work highlights
- Advised on a £2.6m clinical negligence claim for a client who suffered irreversible catastrophic neurological injuries after the hospital failed to act on the client’s grossly abnormal test results.
- Handled a £290,000 clinical negligence claim for a claimant who suffered from premature ovarian sufficiency and will require egg donation in the future in order to have children as a result of negligent damage to her ovaries during a laparoscopic bilateral ovarian cystectomy. The claim was settled at mediation for £290,000 enabling the client to undergo IVF treatment abroad.
- Handled a £90,000 clinical negligence claim for a client who underwent negligent and unnecessary breast surgery as a result of which she has been left with severely disfigured breasts.
Dutton Gregory LLP
Dutton Gregory LLP‘s clinical negligence team handles a wide range of claims arising from delays in diagnosis and surgical errors, representing clients who have suffered organ damage, orthopaedic injuries and blindness. The practice is also instructed on fatal and birth injury claims, and is valued by clients for its ‘committed and caring approach’. Carol Maunder and Emma Menzies jointly lead the practice from Bournemouth and Chandler’s Ford respectively. Maunder draws on her previous experience as a cardiac technician to advise on complex negligence claims. Senior associates Melanie Reynolds and Michael Kingman are also key figures in the practice, with decades of experience in this area.
Practice head(s):
Carol Maunder; Emma Menzies
Other key lawyers:
Michael Kingman; Melanie Reynolds
Testimonials
‘I have worked on medical negligence cases of varying complexity, from the straightforward to the highly complex. It is clear that the firm has robust expertise of sufficient depth to undertake the range of medical cases so prospective clients should be reassured that however complex or not their case might be the team is eminently capable of offering high quality advice in all cases.’
‘An extremely well-organised and efficient firm. Everybody is approachable and down to earth. At the same time, the partners, associates and other staff remain professional and you have every confidence that they know what they are doing. That is not an easy balance to strike.’
‘The clinical negligence team consistently demonstrate a committed and caring approach to their work. Clients are kept fully informed about the progress of their claims, which are handled with sensitivity and professionalism.’
Key clients
Clive Randall
DO
SMH
Work highlights
- Brought claim on behalf of a client against Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.
- Brought claim on behalf of a client against University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
- Brought claim on behalf of a client against Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Enable Law
Enable Law fields a sizeable team across its five offices in the South West, with expertise in handling high-value, complex personal injury and clinical negligence cases. The firm’s clinical negligence practice is overseen by national head Robert Antrobus and is instructed across the full range of high-value matters in this space, from brain and spinal injuries to amputations. Many cases handled by the team involve substantial ongoing care needs. Paul Sankey has broad experience in this space and is praised by clients for his approachability and expertise, while Jackie Linehan has experience of acting both on the claimant and defendant sides of clinical negligence. The firm also boasts a very strong personal injury practice, with expertise acting for clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of accidents. Cases handled by the team often feature complex issues around liability and quantum. The practice frequently represents children in these claims, and also has a notable specialism in handling claims against local authorities related to child neglect and abuse. Huw Ponting leads the team and has a focus on clients who have suffered head injuries; his work additionally includes acting as a deputy for claimants who lack capacity. Ponting is supported by Tim Jones and Juliette Clarke, who both offer substantial expertise in brain and spinal injuries. Pamela Jane-Riley is another key figure in the team and specialises in acting for children. Managing associate Gary Walker is recognised for his expertise in involved alleged abuse, and acts across both personal injury and clinical negligence.
Practice head(s):
Rob Antrobus; Huw Ponting
Other key lawyers:
Paul Sankey; Jackie Linehan; Tim Jones; Juliette Clarke; Pamela Jane-Riley; Charlotte Morgan; Michelle Biddulph
Testimonials
‘It feels like the people I have dealt with listen and understand me and my points.’
‘I went to three other firms of solicitors before being referred by a medical charity to Enable Law. All three declined to help on the grounds of the complexity of my case, which involved medical negligence. A specialist in the field at Enable Law ploughed through hundreds of pages of my medical records to assess the likely actions of the surgeons. Without this specialist knowledge, my case would never have progressed.’
‘From the start, Paul Sankey’s experience meant he was able to explain the inconsistencies in the information I had been given by a health trust in London. He was very clear in his reasoning, kept me informed at all times and ensured that I took all decisions from a position of knowledge. I met Paul in person, and found him to be approachable and with an all-important sense of humour.’
‘The team make a complex case appear easy to navigate.’
‘They take the time to explain everything in an easy to understand manner and are very good at reducing the stress that comes from being involved in a case. They are approachable to friendly and you freely feel confident that they really care about the outcome.’
‘An excellent specialist clinical negligence team.’
‘Jackie Linehan is my main contact. She is notable for the breadth of her experience (with a useful perspective from having previously acted for NHS Defendants), intelligence, and empathy.’
‘Gary Walker’s positivity, kindness, professionalism, commitment and dedication to my case and his ability to put me at ease and make me feel valued, were a major starting point for finally coming to terms with what had happened to me in the past. I would highly recommend Enable Law and in particular Gary Walker to anyone seeking good legal support and guidance in the most emphatic manner.’
Work highlights
GA Solicitors
The personal injury team at GA Solicitors has a strong offering in the area of asbestos-related claims, where it acts for clients who were exposed to asbestos at work and through secondary exposures. The team is also engaged to handle a wide range of claims related to road traffic accidents, workplace injuries and accidents in commercial establishments. The practice has expertise acting for clients with injuries including orthopedic, psychiatric and chronic pain conditions as well as fractures. James Walsh is the lead figure in the team on industrial disease claims, while Matthew Sheather handles the practice’s claims which fall outside this area.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Shearer; James Walsh
Other key lawyers:
Kevin Digby
Work highlights
Hugh James
Hugh James specialises in handling claims involving asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma. The team, led by Andrew Walker in the Plymouth office, is particularly active in representing clients who were exposed to asbestos while they were working for the military. Walker is praised by clients for his work with asbestos disease support groups. Graeme Chisholm, who has worked on asbestos cases for much of his career, joined the practice in November 2021 and is based in Bristol.
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Walker; Graeme Chisholm
Testimonials
‘The team has a wealth of experience in this field.’
‘Graeme Chisholm has been undertaking asbestos claims for many years and has a complete understanding of how these cases need to be prepared to ensure success.’
‘The major strength, from a healthcare professional point of view, is that the team care about each individual they represent, and at a time when you are diagnosed with a life limiting illness, that is an essential quality that is not always evident in other legal firms. As a team, they are very supportive of each other, patients, relatives, support groups and nurses and can easily collaborate on cases.’
Work highlights
Humphreys & Co.
The personal injury team at Humphreys & Co. specialises in representing clients suffering from lung cancer, pleural thickening and mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. The team’s work includes acting for individuals who worked directly with asbestos, as well as those who did not but were exposed in their places of work. Practice head Stephen Burbidge has focused on this area for decades, with Fabio Seccatore also specialising in these types of claims. Seccatore was promoted to partner in June 2021.
Practice head(s):
Stephen Burbridge
Other key lawyers:
Fabio Seccatore
Work highlights
Ince
At Ince, the clinical negligence team has an established track record of representing clients in complex cases. The practice, led by Gillian Clark, frequently handles birth injury claims and also has a specialism in delayed cancer diagnoses, with managing associate Frances Wright leading on this work. On the personal injury side, Kay McCluskey heads the team; her expertise extends beyond cases involving burns and orthopaedic injuries to highly complex claims related to brain injuries and associated loss of capacity. The practice is also instructed to handle fatal accident claims. The team’s bench of associates should also be noted, with Laura Merrick particularly standing out for her broad practice in this space. Hugh Balchin departed the practice.
Practice head(s):
Gillian Clark; Kay McCluskey
Other key lawyers:
Francis Wright; Laura Merrick; Leigh Woodham; Paula Hill; Rachel Eyers
Testimonials
‘The team are experienced and prepared to take on high risk, high complexity and high value cases. Litigation is well resourced and run in an efficient manner.’
‘Gillian Clark is experienced and has a excellent understanding of the medical evidence and medico legal issues. Also worthy of note is Frances Wright who is skilled at dealing with complex and high value cases.’
‘An excellent firm providing a very high level of service across the full range of clinical negligence cases.’
Work highlights
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell
‘s personal injury team is instructed across a broad range of high-value, complex claims in this space, including cases involving neurological and spinal injuries resulting from road traffic accidents and workplace injuries. The practice is also adept at handling industrial disease claims, with Virginia Chalmers heading this team; Chalmers has deep experience in asbestos matters, including working with asbestos family support groups throughout the South West. Senior associate Isabelle Selley has also specialised in this space for over a decade. James Davies leads on serious injuries and fatal accidents and is supported by Deborah Rose, who was promoted to partner in May 2021. The pair stand out for their work representing clients who have suffered catastrophic brain injuries as a result of road traffic accidents and incidents at work. In the clinical negligence sphere, the practice is instructed to represent children and adults who have suffered a range of serious injuries, including life-changing brain and spinal damage. Birth injuries, delayed cancer diagnosis, errors in surgery and failure to correctly diagnose strokes are all areas handled by practice head Julie Lewis. Lewis frequently collaborates with the firm’s Southampton office on cases and is also supported by a strong bench of associates in the Bristol office, with senior associate Kate Easy particularly standing out for her expertise in obstetric cases. Associate Luke Trevorrow is also well-regarded and ‘fights hard for his client.’ The practice draws on the wider firm’s Court of Protection expertise to act for clients who lack capacity as a result of their injuries.
Practice head(s):
Virginia Chalmers; James Davies; Julie Lewis
Other key lawyers:
Isabelle Selley; Deborah Rose; Kim Andrews; Kate Easy Luke Trevorrow
Testimonials
‘I am treated with respect and understanding, particularly by Luke Trevorrow, who is the associate solicitor dealing with my case. I have not dealt with other firms so cannot provide comparison. I have not had any direct contact with the partners at the firm.’
‘I have had full trust in the firm to handle my child’s obstetric injury. They are very professional and knowledgable, managing to secure legal aid when this was not certain.’
‘The team are knowledgeable, super friendly, approachable, professional and all around wonderful. They have always gone the extra mile and nothing is ever too much. Julie Lewis and Kim Andrews have both been excellent! They have pushed the case forward with calm and controlled pressure on stakeholders and I feel I have been fully informed every step of the way.’
‘Kate Easy has been so supportive listening to me, seems to understand also explains everything at my level. Kate has made this process easy for me.’
‘Irwin Mitchell provided me with an excellent service and support. Their excellent professional skills in a number of areas would be difficult to beat. In particular, their excellent communication skills keeping me updated with advice and progress on the clinical negligence claim was of the highest order. They showed a lot of empathy and support regarding the case, something which I was very grateful for over a period of over 2 years.’
‘From the point of view of a barrister, I find that the team is knowledgeable, approachable and genuinely cares about their clients.’
‘One of the best specialist clinical negligence sets in Bristol on a background of a national presence. Very experienced. As a clinical negligence silk who lives near to them, they are the firm I recommend to any friend or lay person who asks me for a recommendation for a clinical negligence solicitor.’
‘Julie Lewis is extremely experienced and very capable. Associate Luke Trevorrow is very experienced, fights hard for his client, a rising star.’
Key clients
Amelia Goodrum
AG
FH
MW
Work highlights
- Handled a medical negligence claim involving the negligent management of the mother’s labour.
Lester Aldridge LLP
The personal injury team at Lester Aldridge LLP specialises in handling claims arising from road traffic accidents, representing clients who have suffered brain, spinal and orthopedic injuries. The practice experienced changes at the top in 2021, with Tim Blackwell departing in April to join Novum Law and being replaced as practice head by David Healy. In addition to his work on road traffic accidents, Healy also handles public and employers’ liability claims, and is also active in the clinical negligence space. Liz Oaten joined the team from Iacopi Palmer in August 2021 and is another name to note in clinical negligence.
Practice head(s):
David Healy
Other key lawyers:
Liz Oaten; Fiona Brooke
Work highlights
Lyons Davidson
The personal injury team at Lyons Davidson represents clients who have suffered serious brain, spinal, muscular and psychological injuries as a result of accidents. The practice particularly stands out for its work acting for clients who have been injured abroad in incidents such as road accidents; it also handles claims stemming from injuries in the workplace and accidents involving animals. Emma Saville oversees the practice, with cases handled by Laura Merry alongside the firm’s strong bench of associates and directors. Merry leads on brain and spinal injuries, while Oliver Marsh is particularly focused on cross-border claims. Other key figures in the team include Rachel Green, who heads up the fatal accidents team, and Kerry Dutton.
Practice head(s):
Emma Saville; Laura Merry
Other key lawyers:
Oliver Marsh; Rachel Green; Kerry Dutton; Chris Kemp; Nick Trevett
RWK Goodman
RWK Goodman‘s personal injury practice is regularly instructed to handle a variety of high-value cases involving catastrophic injuries. The team is jointly led by Stuart Brazington, who focuses on brain and spinal injuries, and Louise Hart, a specialist in chronic pain and amputation cases. The practice is also active in asbestos claims, with Jennifer Seavor the key name to note in this space. The personal injury team stands out for its ability to work with the firm’s other teams, such as its deputyship practice, to provide advice to vulnerable clients. The firm’s clinical negligence offering is equally strong, with experience across the spectrum of high-value claims in this area. Birth injuries are a particular area of expertise for the team, which acts for claimants who have suffered hypoxia, Erb’s Palsy and cerebral palsy during birth. The practice also handles stillbirths and cases of injuries to the mother during the birthing process. Practice head Simon Elliman, Kerstin Scheel and Paul Rumley are all highly experienced in these types of claims, as is senior associate Hannah Blackwell. Ali Cloak is another name to note in the team, and has a varied practice which includes cases related to mental health treatment and drug rehabilitation. The team is also regularly instructed to handle errors in surgery and delays in cancer diagnosis. Mistakes in dental treatment are another niche specialism, with senior associate Naomi Todd leading on this work.
Practice head(s):
Simon Elliman; Stuart Brazington; Louise Hart
Other key lawyers:
Mark Hambleton; Jennifer Seavor; Kerstin Scheel; Paul Rumley; Ali Cloak; Hannah Blackwell; Naomi Todd
Testimonials
‘What makes this practice unique is its combination of exceptional intellectual rigour, outstanding specialist expertise, unparalleled commitment to client care and determination to achieve the best possible result. Competitor firms may possess some of these qualities. Some competitor firms possess all of them. None possesses them to the same extent.’
‘This is an asbestos team at the very cutting edge of asbestos litigation. Utterly dedicated to their clients and with the expertise to make that dedication count.’
‘A leading firm which deserves its tier 1 ranking in your current edition. The firm has an excellent reputation for providing a first rate service across the full range of clinical negligence claims and with particular expertise in obstetric birth injury claims.’
Slee Blackwell
Slee Blackwell fields a personal injury team that offers clients a broad range of specialisms in this area. Practice head James McNally stands out for his expertise in the niche area of dog bite claims, where he handles complex cases involving severe injuries. Elsewhere, Elizabeth Duncan is noted for her work handling claims made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, particularly involving childhood sexual and physical abuse. The practice is also regularly engaged by clients who have suffered workplace injuries, with a focus on stress at work claims. Rachel Thain departed the firm in November 2021, joining Enable Law, while Jasmine Butler was promoted to partner in February 2022. The clinical negligence team is led by Oliver Thorne, who has specialisms in childbirth injuries and cases related to cosmetic surgery. Caroline Webber Brown was promoted to partner in January 2022 and has a diverse practice, with a focus on rectopexy mesh claims.
Practice head(s):
Oliver Thorne; James McNally
Other key lawyers:
Elizabeth Duncan; Jasmine Butler; Caroline Webber Brown
Work highlights
Thompsons Solicitors LLP
The clinical negligence team at Thompsons Solicitors LLP stands out for its handling of claims related to unnecessary Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Surgery, an area in which practice head Madeleine Pinschof is recognised for her expertise. Pinschof leads the firm’s national team for mesh claims, with senior solicitor Sonia Fu also highly active in this space. High-value birth injury claims are another area of focus for the practice, with Pinschof leading on these matters. On the personal injury side, Nicholas Seymour, David Coulthard and Lisa Gunner are the key names to note, with the practice handling claims related to accidents and industrial disease.
Practice head(s):
Madeleine Pinschof; Nicholas Seymour; Lisa Gunner; David Coulthard
Other key lawyers:
Sonia Fu; Sabeena Pirooz
Testimonials
‘Madeleine Pinschof has strategic vision and tactical appreciation of complexity of very large number of mesh claims’
‘A strong traditional firm who really cares about their clients and will go the extra mile for them.’
‘Madeleine Pinschof is an excellent lawyer. She is technically strong and has great judgment and empathy.’
Key clients
Mr Mark Langabeer
DXB (by his litigation friend HXD)
MA
AG
XYZ
Work highlights
- Represented a client in a clinical negligence case whereby the Claimant suffered a below knee amputation.
- Handled a claim for clinical negligence arising out of failure to diagnose and treat an epidural abscess, leading to severe spondo-discitis and severe compression of the cauda equine. As a result client was left with paraplegia and double incontinence among other injuries.
- Advising on a claim arising out of a Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh rectopexy procedure (LVMR) performed in January 2012. The defendant as an NHS Trust.
Tozers Solicitors LLP
‘A tightknit team of excellent lawyers’, Tozers Solicitors LLP predominantly focuses on handling birth injury claims, with a particular specialism in representing clients who have developed Erb’s Palsy as a result of injuries suffered during birth. The practice also regularly represents adult clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of misdiagnosis and delays in diagnosis. Endurance Arthur and Stuart Bramley jointly lead the team; Arthur is ‘unflappable’ while Bramley is praised as ‘very experienced and thorough’. Clair Hemming and Simon Mansfield are also recognised for their expertise in birth injury claims.
Practice head(s):
Endurance Arthur; Stuart Bramley
Other key lawyers:
Clair Hemming; Simon Mansfield; Michelle Beckett
Testimonials
‘The team at Tozer’s are brilliant at putting you at ease, keeping you informed and making a difficult process much easier. Nothing is too much trouble for the team. They are dedicated and knowledgeable. The Team are linked with charities and will actively get involved in charitable work and work collaboratively with them for the benefit of the members.’
‘This is a tightknit team of excellent lawyers who have worked together for a long time. They know clinical negligence inside and out. They investigate cases thoroughly, serve well-prepared evidence and achieve excellent results for their clients.’
‘I feel I am treated as part of a collaborative team. Nothing is done ‘to me’, only with me and for me. I feel listened to and what I contribute is often acted upon.’
‘Tozers have been incredible throughout the time we have been working with them. Very professional, consistent, reliable, trustworthy, friendly and always easy to contact with great communications and updates on the case progress.’
‘Simon Mansfield has been the utmost professional throughout the years I have worked with him. He demonstrates compassion and empathy to the highest standard. He is brilliant at explaining the process and making you feel comfortable. He is very knowledgeable. He has a lovely manner and is great at validating your feelings and reassuring you. You can’t be in better hands and I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to help us through the legal process.’
‘I cannot praise Stuart Bramley enough and from the moment I contacted the firm I felt reassured that I had made the right decision. Stuart’s knowledge and understanding of my son’s condition and his sympathetic and understanding approach has helped my family through a tough and very emotional process.’
‘Endurance Arthur is very experienced, a delight to deal with and unflappable. Her clients know they are in excellent hands. Clair Hemming is also experienced and a very thorough practitioner. Simon Mansfield is very hardworking with sound judgment. Seems to make cases look easy when they are not. Stuart Bramley is very experienced and thorough. Michelle Beckett is always on top of the detail.’
‘Michelle Beckett had excellent handling of the case. Always updating me on progress and giving great advice. Very professional.’
Key clients
MS
JC
Work highlights
- Advising and representing Claimant who suffered an ischaemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage and who has suffered significant brain damage. Claim concerns failure of GP to diagnose and treat diabetes.
- Advising and representing Claimant who after birth was discovered to have sustained severe brain damage.
Trethowans LLP
Based across offices in Poole and Salisbury, Trethowans LLP has a varied practice covering birth injuries, delayed diagnoses and errors in surgery. Clare Carter ‘is determined to get the best for her clients’ and leads the team from the Salisbury office; her workload includes representing clients who have suffered serious injuries such as amputations. In Poole, James Braund is praised as an ‘extremely intelligent and diligent litigator’ with deep experience in catastrophic injury claims.
Practice head(s):
Clare Carter
Other key lawyers:
James Braund
Testimonials
‘The quality of service provided by the clinical negligence team is stand-out. Cases are dealt with sensitively and with real care.’
‘Dedicated, hard working, committed to excellence, approachable. They’ve got it all!’
‘Trethowans provides a high quality service. They are in the ‘premiership’ of provincial firms.’
‘A talented and dedicated team who provide great representation, usually to clients in their locality, but who are developing an enhanced national reputation. A friendly but very able team.’
‘James Braund is very effective on complex medical issues and tactically astute.’
‘Claire Carter has excellent knowledge, conscientious, very user friendly, great outcomes.’
‘James Braund is an extremely intelligent and diligent litigator who is experienced in both clinical negligence and personal injury. He always has a great relationship with clients, and I know that every case I receive from him will have been extensively investigated and well prepared. An exceptional lawyer.’
‘There cannot be many people that work as hard as Clare Carter. Clare is so determined to get the best for her clients and never lets them down.’
Work highlights
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Accidents at work and road traffic accidents are two core strengths for Trowers & Hamlins LLP, which acts for clients who have suffered orthopaedic, soft tissue and brain injuries as well as amputations. The team is jointly led by Bronwen Courtenay-Stamp and Ian Brown; Courtenay-Brown is noted for her focus on injuries which happen abroad. Tom Sampford is another name to note in the team.
Practice head(s):
Bronwen Courtney-Stamp; Ian Brown
Other key lawyers:
Tom Sampford
Work highlights
VWV
VWV‘s personal injury practice trades under the name Augustines Injury Law and has a strong reputation in representing clients who have suffered brain injuries, particularly those arising from road traffic accidents. Many of the team’s clients suffered life-changing injuries as a result of their accidents, with some lacking capacity; in these cases the firm is able to offer clients a financial deputy service. The practice is also instructed on claims related to fatal accidents. Nicola Bickham leads the team, which also includes the highly experienced Jonathan Peacock.
Practice head(s):
Nicola Bickham
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Peacock; Mandy Yeandle; Dan Thompson
Work highlights
Wards Solicitors LLP
Wards Solicitors LLP offers specialist expertise in the personal injury space, with experience acting for claimants who have suffered accidents at work, road traffic accidents and injuries on commercial and public premises. In addition to advising on claims involving soft tissue injuries and fractures, the team is also adept at handling cases involving more complex injuries, such as psychological trauma. Alison Underhill leads the practice and alongside Helen Boyd handles the full range of personal injury claims. Underhill and Boyd are supported by the practice’s bench of associates, including Richard Green, who is particularly focused on industrial disease claims.
Practice head(s):
Alison Underhill
Other key lawyers:
Helen Boyd; Angela Carnell; Richard Green
Testimonials
‘Helpful, rapid response’
‘The team demonstrates a caring, personal, approach to supporting their clients.’
‘They are deeply rooted within their local South West community. This gives them a good geographic foundation from which they provide a caring, personal, legal service to their clinical negligence clients – many of whom have terrible injuries. They fight very hard for their clients. The team are all highly skilled professionals.’
Work highlights
Wolferstans
Wolferstans handles a range of high-value, complex medical negligence cases, representing clients who have suffered serious brain, spinal and orthopedic injuries as well as blindness. In addition to representing adults, the practice also acts on behalf of children including handling birth injury claims. Elizabeth Smith leads the team and was recently engaged on a secondary victim claim before the Court of Appeal. Simon Parford is another name to note in the team and focuses on brain and spinal injuries, particularly cerebral palsy.
Practice head(s):
Elizabeth Smith
Other key lawyers:
Simon Parford; Barry Bayley; Peter Tassart
Testimonials
‘This is a small but highly capable team who are courageous and tenacious in their approach and very hard-working.’
‘Simon Parford is an old-school, highly resourceful and successful litigator unafraid of any challenge. Elizabeth Smith is cut from the same cloth – direct and highly effective in all that she does.’
‘Very well established top flight firm in Clinical Negligence matters, with Simon Parford an outstanding individual.’
‘Simon Parford is an utterly class act. Huge experience and legal and tactical knowledge allied to a careful and client-focused manner that makes him a delight to work for, and a solicitor of the highest quality who will never let his clients down.’
‘Words alone are not enough to describe the brilliant, compassionate, empathetic and professional Simon Parford. Simon is the epitome of a professional legal representative, he looks out for the best interest for his client. My son and my family will be forever indebted to him.’
‘I think that Wolferstans are an excellent practice, and certainly the stand-out firm in their part of the country. They are excellent with clients, very experienced and achieve great results.’
‘Elizabeth Smith is very calm, pragmatic and tactically astute. Barry Bayley is very experienced and is able to form an excellent rapport with clients.’
‘Whenever I needed to speak with Peter Tassart he was always willing to spend extra time explaining in as much detail as possible resolutions to my queries. Peter was well supported by Emma Laity who always made sure that I got a satisfactory solution to my question.’
Key clients
Lynette and Mark Polmear
NXR (By his mother and litigation friend LXR)
Richard Martin
SXL (by her partner and Litigation Friend DXS)
Robert Wheatman
ABC (by her mother and litigation friend DEF)
AAA (a child and protected party by BBB, Litigation Friend)
Mr Simmons
Mrs Janine Hooker
Work highlights
- Lynette and Mark Polmear:- Wolferstans LLP represented the Claimants in a secondary victim claim relating to the death of their 7 year old daughter. The case was heard in the Court of Appeal and was a crucial case relating to the proximity of secondary victims. Whilst unsuccessful leave has been granted for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court
- NXR (by his mother and litigation friend LXR:- Wolferstans LLP represented the infant Claimant in a claim relating to the hypoxic injury he sustained at birth. This was an important matter as NHS Resolution agreed to an order for variable Periodical Payments in the event that his behaviour deteriorated such that he needed additional day or night time care.
- SXL (by her partner and Litigation Friend DXS):- Wolferstans LLP acted for the Claimant against multiple defendants relating to the delay in diagnosis and treatment of a bilateral acute on chronic subdural haemorrhage.