Investing In
United Kingdom
20 August 2025
Fieldfisher‘s healthcare department has notable regulatory expertise, advises NHS Trusts, handles medical negligence work, and supports organisations with all aspects of digital health work; clients also praise the group as ’the go-to firm for inquiries and inquests’. The Manchester-based team is led by the experienced Sarah Ellson, who has vast expertise in healthcare regulatory law. Corporate expert Tom Ward covers M&A, venture capital and private equity and growth capital transactions, and has particular expertise in issues impacting digital health start-ups, while Abigail Scholefield specialises in acting in high-profile and complex public inquiries and inquests; she is recommended as ‘a star, providing superb legal guidance and running teams with style, determination and approachability’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Fieldfisher are the go-to firm for Inquiries and Inquests.'
- 'Abigail Scholefield is a junior star with a phenomenal work ethic.’
‘Excellent coordination, teamwork and commitment.’
‘The leading firm acting as solicitors to public inquiries. No-one comes close to Fieldfisher's experience and talent.’
‘Abigail Scholefield in the Manchester office is a star, providing superb legal guidance and running teams with style, determination and approachability.’
‘Excellent breadth of skills and experience in public inquiry work.’
‘Associate Abigail Scholefield is responsive, solution-focused and manages to combine attention to detail with a pragmatic approach. Warm and personable, she establishes a strong rapport with clients and colleagues alike, and runs her team very effectively.’
Key clients
- Novartis
- Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
- Rowlands Pharmacy/Phoenix
- Myeloma UK
- Cynergy Bank Limited
- Shawbrook Bank Limited
- Jersey Hemp
Work highlights
Advising on the set up of the Thirlwall Inquiry into Countess of Chester Hospital and implications of Lucy Letby's convictions, and gathering of materials and evidence, and supporting the families.
Advising Myeloma UK on its appeals against the National Institute for Health and Social Care Excellence (NICE) when key myeloma treatments were not recommended for NHS reimbursement.
Practice head
Sarah Ellson
Other key lawyers
Tom Ward; Abigail Scholefield