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Vicky Morris

Vicky Morris

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Weightmans LLP

Weightmans LLP

England - North West • Insurance

1

Clinical negligence: defendant

The Liverpool-based cohort at Weightmans LLP boast a workload that includes defending its notable list of clients in contentious cases regarding lack of proficient care and catastrophic injury claims, as well as in various group action claims. In addition to its contentious capabilities, the team provides preventative strategic advice on issues including patient safety and risk management. ‘Very experienced litigator’ Ian Critchley heads up the offering alongside Richard Jolly, who is experienced in acting for NHS trusts and private medical clients, and Vicky Morris, who has expertise in patient safety matters and novel cases, as well as in group actions. Medical malpractice and dental negligence cases are specialist areas of Chris Dexter. Birth injury, wrongful birth, and claims involving foetal exposure to sodium valproate are core areas of strength for Lisa Spencer, while June 2024-promoted partner Samuel Harland has significant experience handling product liability and infected blood matters. Jessica Neary joined the team in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
0151 242 7924
Email
[email protected]
Profile
weightmans.com

Profile

Work Department
Healthcare.
Position

Vicky joined Weightmans in 1986 as an articled clerk and became a partner in 1992. She specialises in clinical negligence. She deals mostly with high value cases or those with unusual or novel issues including pre-issue resolution of a potential claim by mediation in which it was sought to expand the duty of care owed by the NHS and advising on management of a major patient safety incident relating to over 1,000 patients.

She acted for one of the core particpants at the Mid Staffordshire Public Inquiry and has been involved in a number of group actions. More recently she acted for the blood service and predecessor bodies, core participants in relation the Infected Blood Inquiry and on related claims. Her particular interests are patient safety, mediation and the strategic management of claims. She has advised on aspects of law change and policy development but is most interested in working with the NHS on initiatives to reduce avoidable harm.

Career

Trained Weightmans; qualified 1988; associate 1989; first female partner of the firm 1992. Appointed NHS Litigation Authority client partner 2004.

Memberships
Law Society; Liverpool Law Society; NHS LA’s Safety Advisory Group.
Education

Belvedere School, Liverpool; Liverpool University (LLB Hons).

Content supplied by Weightmans LLP

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team provides an excellent service. The team has good experience and expertise of the medical issues underlying claims and prides itself on giving its clients early, sensible and realistic advice.’

    ‘Ian Critchley is a very able lawyer. He is extremely hardworking and has good judgement. He also has excellent client care skills. He is a very experienced litigator. I have been impressed by his strategic and tactical skills and overall command of his cases. He achieves excellent results for his clients through his clear-sighted identification of the key issues.’

    ‘Weightmans have real strength in depth. They have a team which is strong at all levels.’

    ‘Richard Jolly is a star individual and very well-respected in the sector. He takes an active interest and role in all areas of the healthcare business.'

    ‘A leading firm in the defendant clinical negligence field with wide ranging experience across the breadth of claims.'

    ‘A key player in the North West and a hugely capable team covering the spectrum of health care litigation.'

    ‘Richard Jolly has an unparalleled reservoir of experience and more importantly expertise in litigation.'

    'Vicky Morris has worked in this area for some time and her approach is just spot-on. She knows her stuff and works with everyone to achieve an appropriate outcome. She has excellent people skills and develops strong working relationships with everyone involved in the litigation.'

Key clients

  • NHS Resolution IDH Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust NHS Blood & Transplant Wirral Community NHS FT Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust St Helena Government

Work highlights

Advising NHS Resolution, NHS Blood and Transplant, and various NHS Trusts, amongst others, on several proposed group actions being brought by and on behalf of people infected with viruses, including HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B, through the use of blood and blood products.
Advising NHS Trusts on claims involving foetal exposure to sodium valproate.
Assisted St Helena Government with the setting up and running of a compensation scheme for any patients who suffered avoidable harm during treatment by a doctor employed in the British Overseas Territory, and there are expected to be over 100 cases.