CMS leads on high-profile defendant personal injury work, particularly in industrial disease and complex group litigation. The team handles landmark cases and schemes, including CIPCS and major data breach claims, often with cross-border elements. Gregor Woods co-heads the team, with over 30 years’ experience in severe injury and psychiatric harm claims. Fellow co-head Timothy Riordan is recognised for his data breach work and leads the firm’s growing in-house costs team. Emily Woodhead is noted for her employer and public liability expertise, while Jeremy Fletcher advises on major respiratory disease claims.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The CMS team is very experienced in historic industrial deafness claims, especially those brought by ex-miners. They get very good results for their Government clients.’
‘We have a long standing relationship with the CMS Insurance and Reinsurance Group Sheffield based team. They are aware of our specific requirements and limitations which often requires a very flexible approach, which they deliver on. No matter the requirement, the Team are accessible and provide excellent support.'
‘Our two Partners, Gregor Woods and Tim Riordan, are extremely attentive to our needs and are always available when required. The wider Sheffield Team all provide excellent support and are all extremely adaptive. Their tailored approach to our needs means we are able to get the professional advice we need but in an accessible way for non-legal experts.’
‘Superb personal injury team, good at every level, hugely experienced, knowledgeable and highly effective.’
‘The leading firm for heavy defendant personal injury litigation. CMS' pedigree in mass tort litigation is unique - CMS are heavy-weight players in the field with considerable strength and depth in quality.’
- Gregor Woods - the epitome of a safe pair of hands.'
Key clients
- MOJO
- AIG
- Atos
- Bayer
- Canopius Managing Agents Limited
- Capita
- Coal Products Limited
- Electric Insurance
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- GE Aviation
- GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control Ltd
- GE Tip
Work highlights
Acting for the government in defence of all Noise Induced Hearing Loss claims and all Asbestos Related Disease claims from the nationalised mining industry, including claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and pleural thickening.
Defending the government in the British Coal Respiratory Disease Litigation.
Advising and providing strategic advice to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on all aspects of the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Compensation Scheme.
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.
Emily Woodhead
Practice head
Gregor Woods; Timothy Riordan
Other key lawyers
Emily Woodhead; Jeremy Fletcher