Fieldfisher‘s ’absolutely brilliant’ clinical negligence team is noted for its ‘deep experience and fantastic resources’. The team has a client-centred approach, and offers support regarding special education needs and Court of Protection matters alongside its complex clinical negligence work. This work often includes claims involving brain injuries at birth, an area in which Samantha Critchley – noted for her ’meticulous work and commitment to clients‘ – has particular experience. ’Wonderful litigator‘ Iona Meeres-Young leads the team, having taken over from previous head Paul McNeil in May 2023. McNeil remains a key member of the team and ’a glowering presence across the field‘. Mark Bowman is an ’intelligent and fearless litigator‘, with particular experience in claims involving Erb’s Palsy, while Jane Weakley brings her ’huge experience’ to cases concerning the rights of birth-injured children. Kate Rohde deals predominantly with serious and fatal injury claims, while Jonathan Zimmern – who is also a qualified barrister – is another standout in the team. Arti Shah has particular interest in fertility cases. Legal director Punam Sood joined the team June 2023 from Irwin Mitchell.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Arti Shah was so compassionate and understanding of our case. She was always there to explain how legal practices worked and the complexities of the medical notes and case itself.'
- 'Head and shoulders above every other team in the country. It is a superbly led team with deep experience and fantastic resources which is repeatedly successful.'
- 'Paul McNeil must be the best litigator in this field: hugely intelligent, tough, efficient, a glowering presence across the field.'
- 'Iona Meeres-Young is a wonderful litigator with great calm under fire and excellent judgement.'
- 'Samantha Critchley: outstanding preparation, meticulous work and commitment to clients.'
- 'Mark Bowman is a fast, efficient, intelligent and fearless litigator.'
- 'Jane Weakley is a great lawyer with huge experience, and Jonathan Zimmern too. All of the team members handle the most difficult and heaviest cases successfully.'
- 'Definitely the leading firm for clinical negligence - an absolutely brilliant team - all the partners are fantastic at dealing with a heavy caseload of difficult cases and getting amazing results in reasonable time scale which is so important for claimants.'
Work highlights
- Settled a birth injury claim on behalf of a young twin girl left with cerebral palsy following negligent delays in delivery.
- Represented a claimant who lost of all four limbs aged four after staff at Frimley Park Hospital failed to recognise and treat her for meningitis and sepsis, settling the claim for a capitalised sum in the region of £39m, with the majority of settlement in the form of annual payments for life for care and prosthetics.
- Acted on a birth injury claim arising from Erb's Palsy, and reached a £2.6m settlement.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Iona Meeres-Young