The Manchester-based practice at Irwin Mitchell has well-established capabilities representing claimants across a broad array of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters of the utmost severity. The team’s areas of expertise includes the remit of birth, brain, and spinal injury cases, amputation matters, and fatal accidents and inquests. Furthermore, it boasts niche expertise relating to mental health and suicide, which are the focus areas of Ayse Ince, and military cases. ‘Standout litigator’ Kristofer Inskip helms the practice and handles a plethora of maximum severity cases. Jennifer Cawthorne has expertise spanning birth and spinal injury cases, as well as cases regarding delays in cancer diagnoses. Lindsay Wise handles brain and spinal injury cases on behalf of adults and children, and acts for members of the armed forces in military-related cases. Kevin Saul has a specialism in cauda equina syndrome, oral cancer, and neurological injury matters. Dental and medical negligence expert Shahin Master is noted as ’exceptionally efficient and intellectually sharp’ by clients. Inskip and Master split their time between the Manchester and Liverpool offices. Margaret Ryan departed the team in August 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Special mention to Nicola Ashton. An amazing lady and a consummate professional, highly skilled in her field. I would not hesitate to recommend her to others.’
- 'Shahin Master is exceptionally efficient and intellectually sharp, with a strong attention-to-detail and an ability to manage evolving clinical and legal narratives with impressive clarity.'
‘Jennifer Cawthorne is an exceptional lawyer who runs some very difficult, high value claims very skilfully.’
‘Kristofer Inskip leads with an empathetic approach. He is a standout litigator, moving his claims on at a good pace with top results. Dina Lambourne is a senior associate but punches at heavyweight partner level in birth injury claims.'
‘Primarily a compassion for the client and a desire to investigate and pursue their case with great thoroughness - albeit with realism as well where circumstances require - Jennifer Cawthorne and Kevin Saul are particularly impressive solicitors in my opinion.’
‘Lindsay Wise is hugely experienced and technically able in birth injury cases. She is also very approachable and empathetic throughout the process. Sharon Williams is excellent at progressing cases and securing settlements in very difficult claims. Dina Lambourne brings a wealth of experience as a former cardiology sister to her cases and has a sharp intellect.’
‘Jennifer Cawthorne is one of my favourite people to work with - helpful, approachable and highly skilled. She's an absolutely first-rate lawyer. There's nothing that she hasn't dealt with previously, and puts those working with her at immediate ease. Clients like and trust her, with good reason.'
‘Kevin Saul is experienced, knowledgeable and very thorough.’
'A leading player in the clinical negligence market in the UK.'
'One of the top clinical negligence firms for Claimants. More importantly, they are collaborative in what they do and support various patient safety initiatives with Trusts and Defendant clinical negligence lawyers.'
Work highlights
Advised the claimant’s litigation friend on a brain injury arising out of a negligent cardiac procedure, which required 13 different expert disciplines.
Advising the claimant on a delayed diagnosis and management of neurosarcoidosis where liability issues were robustly denied.
Advising the Executrix of NH on estate and dependency claims; the deceased was a serving member of HM Armed Forces who sadly took his own life, allegedly as a consequence of negligent management of mental health issues which he had reported to his employers and medical centre.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Kristofer Inskip
Other key lawyers
Nicola Ashton; Shahin Master; Jennifer Cawthorne; Dina Lambourne; Kevin Saul; Lindsay Wise; Sharon Williams; Ayse Ince