Hugh James

The Manchester-based group at Hugh James has well-established capabilities in handling the remit of complex and high-value clinical negligence claims for its roster of clients. Lesley Herbertson ‘truly stands out’ and has vast expertise advising on catastrophic and serious injury cases, including birth, brain, and spinal injuries, as well as cauda equina and cerebral palsy cases. Gill Edwards has experience assisting with matters from delayed diagnoses with life-long impacts, to surgical negligence leading to severe injuries. The pair co-head the practice, key members of which also include Helen Budge, whose focus areas include child and adult brain injury, Sophie Birch, who ’shows great understanding and empathy’ according to clients, and Kelly Charlton, who advises in relation to catastrophic brain and spinal injury cases. Anna Higham departed the practice in December 2025.