Richard Jolly > Weightmans LLP > Liverpool, England > Lawyer Profile

Weightmans LLP’s health group continued to expand the team and increased its client portfolio after the merger with RadcliffesLeBrasseur LLP in June 2022. The practice acts for public bodies, public or private businesses, not for profit enterprises and individuals on a wide range of matters including high level judicial review cases, public inquiries where it has particular expertise, employment disputes, information management and governance reviews and investigations. The group is jointly led by Richard Jolly who focuses on the health work, most notably acting for a vast number of NHS trusts, Dewi Ap-Thomas who oversees the regulatory side of the practice and employment expert Emlyn Williams.

Weightmans LLP, based in Liverpool and Manchester, is one of the leading firms involved in representing the health service in clinical negligence claims, regularly being instructed by NHS Resolution and several major NHS Trusts. The team is co-headed by Richard Jolly, a birth injury specialist, Victoria Morris, an expert in patient safety group actions, and ‘very able‘ Ian Critchley, who has almost two decades of experience defending clinical negligence litigation for the NHS. Legal director Lisa Spencer is noted for her focus on human rights and psychiatric issues. Chris Dexter, who joined in October 2022 from Clyde & Co, is another key name to note. Included in the firm’s standout recent work is the defence of major claims involving blood infections – a key specialism of principal associate Samuel Harland – and chemical exposure.

Recently merged with RadcliffesLeBrasseur LLP, Weightmans LLP is ‘without a doubt the leader in this field‘. The practice is highly experienced in representing healthcare professionals, and has enviable expertise in solicitor and legal services-related regulation. The team additionally acts in matters concerning architects and accountants. Richard Jolly is national health sector lead, while William Childs, Sam Flew, Anne Green and Simon Gomersall are also health sector specialists. Likewise highly rated, Susanna Heley ‘represents clients before the Solicitors Tribunal methodologically and effectively‘; Ian Sadler acts for medical defence organisations and healthcare professionals; Nigel West‘s ‘success rate is excellent‘; Alistair Hewitt is experienced in a range of disciplinary investigations; and Michaela Nicholas defends doctors, dentists, nurses and podiatrists before their regulatory bodies. Healthcare expert Stewart Duffy is an active legal director, while Alex Leslie and Richard Privett are experienced consultants. The ‘very competent‘ Tom Thurlow is a partner since May 2023.

Weightmans LLP fields an excellent national team, which covers a wide range of health & welfare, as well as property & financial affairs matters. It acts for a large number of local authorities, NHS Trusts and private health and social care providers. Areas of expertise span advising on consent to medical treatment, the overlap between the Mental Health Act/Mental Capacity Act, and issues surrounding safeguarding. At the helm are Simon Goacher, Richard Jolly, Richard Bate and Sarah Louise Walker.