Slee Blackwell > South Molton, England > Firm Profile

Slee Blackwell
2 Lime Court
SOUTH MOLTON
EX36 3LH
England

Insurance > Clinical negligence: claimant Tier 3

With its head office in Barnstaple, as well as other hubs across the South West, Slee Blackwell continues to be a go-to firm due to its ability to ‘competently handle complex claims’. Practice head Oliver Thorne specialises in birth injury claims, as well as frequently representing claimants in inquests. Caroline Webber-Brown is noted for her niche focus on mesh-related litigation. In November 2023, dedicated specialist Clarissa Ellerington joined the group from Thompsons Solicitors LLP.

Practice head(s):

Oliver Thorne

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Caroline Webber-Brown has excellent attention to detail, solid judgment on the strengths of a given case, is utterly committed to the client and prepares her cases very well. The results for her clients are always excellent.’

‘I continue to be impressed by the CN team and how they competently handle complex claims. I have heard only positive feedback from claimants when assessing them. I have recommended them to friends in the South West with potential claims as I know they will be in safe hands.’

‘Oliver Thorne heads the department. I sense he and the team are really going places. Oliver handles cases with a calm and logical manner. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending him.’

‘My legal team is Oliver Thorne and Mia Nicholson, they are both amazing at what they do and I wouldn’t want to be dealing with anyone else. Oliver is very informative and is always willing to answer my questions and provide me with everything I need to know and Mia is great at keeping in touch and sending over all relevant paperwork.’

Work highlights

  • Secured a settlement for a claimant in a rectopexy mesh case.
  • Acting in a fatal claim against the North Bristol NHS Trust.
  • Representing a family after complications at birth led to their child sustaining brain damage.

Insurance > Personal injury: claimant Tier 3

Slee Blackwell is best known for its stellar track record in niche areas of personal injury, in particular Animals Act, abuse, and criminal injuries compensation authority claims. James McNally is regarded by clients as ‘the ultimate expert in dog bite claims’, while Elizabeth Duncan, leveraging her ability to be ‘excellent with vulnerable clients’, regularly handles historic sexual abuse cases. Jasmine Moxey-Butler is developing a strong reputation for police claims.

Practice head(s):

James McNally

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Elizabeth Duncan is a shining star in the PI firmament of lawyers in the South West. Manages a busy workload with grace under pressure.’

‘Excellent with clients. They tread the right line between friendly and professional. Real strength in unusual cases.’

‘Elizabeth Duncan is excellent with vulnerable clients. She builds rapport effortlessly. She hones in on the key issues in cases.’

‘James McNally has been clear and concise in terms of asking for information and providing explanations as to what is actually required. He has kept me informed at the right times and on the odd occasion I have needed to contact him he has always replied swiftly, even if that does mean outside of normal working hours. It also helps he is a great communication and fairly relaxed in his mannerisms, which puts you at ease.’

‘This firm is excellent, experienced and high quality. I received a highly competent, professional and sympathetic service.’

‘The way in which the case was handled with such compassion and care.’

‘Elizabeth Duncan was incredible. Finally gave me closure of something that had been hanging over me for so long.’

‘James McNally is the ultimate expert in dog bite claims, backed up by knowledge and experience in personal injury matters generally. He goes the extra mile to ensure the best possible result for his clients, and is also personable and approachable.’

Work highlights

  • Represented a claimant who suffered amputation of eight fingers due to a safety switch failure on machinery at work, settling the case for £4.4m.
  • Represented a claimant who was standing behind his HGV and was injured when the defendant’s employee unexpectedly opened the rear doors, causing heavy boxes to fall on him, fracturing his foot and wrist, settling the case for £1.2m.
  • Represented a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at a boarding school, pursuing compensation against the school for vicarious liability, and achieving a £150,000 settlement plus costs.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 3

Legacy disputes expert Naomi Ireson and professional negligence specialist Lee Dawkins jointly head up the contentious probate offering at Slee Blackwell, which covers a wide range of disputes related to TOLATA claims, will validity challenges, and breach of trust allegations, among others. Further key contacts include Hayley Bundey, who handles disputes between former cohabitees, and Chris Holten, who routinely handles claims brought by members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Practice head(s):

Naomi Ireson; Lee Dawkins

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team at Slee Blackwell are hard working, conscientious and go above and beyond for the clients. The solicitors I have worked with are always available should I have any queries and they know their cases inside out. I would have no hesitation recommending them to anybody.’

‘I have worked with Naomi Ireson on a number of cases. All of the cases we have worked on have been organised and considered. Naomi clearly cares deeply about her clients and will go out of her way to reassure them. ’

‘User friendly, reliable, cost conscious for their clients’

‘Approachable, professional and personal’

‘Hayley Bundey has been an actual god sent. She has shown caring, compassion and genuinely helped our situation. The personal touch in our matter has meant the world to us ’

‘The responsiveness of the team I deal with is second to none. They keep me updated on my case frequently and are also so quick to respond to my queries. They also explain all the legal jargon in layman terms which is really helpful. I also feel like they are on my side and want to fight my corner. ’

‘I mainly deal with Hayley Bundey and Kristi Kingham. They are so responsive and I really feel like they’ll do their best for me. I never thought that I’d end up in an inheritance dispute but I feel very comfortable that they support and help me through the process l. ’

‘From the moment I contacted Slee Blackwell, I felt reassured by their expertise and the professional manner in which they conducted their business.’

Work highlights

  • Defended a defendant successfully against a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

Slee Blackwell Solicitors LLP has 7 offices, 19 partners and is Lexcel accredited.

In addition to providing a range of traditional legal services regionally (such as property, family law, private client and commercial law) the firm also offers a number of niche practice areas, serving clients nationwide. These include:

Contentious Trusts and Probate: https://www.inheritancedisputes.co.uk/

Clinical Negligence: https://www.medicalaccidentlawyers.co.uk/

Personal Injury Law: https://sbclaims.co.uk/

Professional Negligence: https://www.proneg.co.uk/

Charity Law and Legacy Disputes: https://www.legacydisputes.co.uk/

Contested Wills: https://contesting-wills.co.uk/

Sexual Abuse: https://www.abusecompensation.co.uk/

The contentious probate team deals with a range of cases, including invalidity challenges, Inheritance Act claims, executor disputes and equitable interest claims. Various funding options are available, including No Win – No Fee.

The firm’s clinical negligence department offers services to claimants on a No Win, No Fee basis, fully supported by legal expenses insurance to ensure that clients are not exposed to costs risks. The team is currently pursuing claims in the French courts for British victims of the PIP breast implant scandal.

Personal injury law has long been a core element of the firm’s practice. The emphasis is on high value and complex cases. The firm is a leader in the field of animal law, with department head James McNally (DASLS Solicitor of the Year 2024) being dubbed by the British media as The Dog Bite Solicitor. The department also includes a team of lawyers specialising in abuse law who have won a number of awards for their pioneering work in this area.

Professional negligence law has been another specialism of the firm for many years. Acting exclusively for claimants, the team deals with claims against surveyors, accountants, solicitors and other professionals.

2020 was the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Slee Blackwell Solicitors. You can find a short potted history of the firm’s last one hundred years here.

 

Department Name Email Telephone
Litigation Lee Dawkins [email protected] 0808 139 1606
Contentious probate Naomi Ireson [email protected] 01823 354545
Personal injury James McNally [email protected] 0808 139 1599
Clinical negligence Oliver Thorne [email protected] 01271 372128
Professional negligence Emma Slade [email protected] 01271 372128
Family law Jen Law [email protected] 01272 372128
Law Society Children Panel
England & Wales Law Society