Carson McDowell‘s healthcare claims and defence insurance litigation team is known for its robust defence-side clinical negligence practice and its strengths in personal injury claims, covering employers’ liability, public liability and product liability. Roger McMillan and Jacqueline McAleese co-lead the clinical negligence defence department. McMillan is a go-to for medical defence organisations and is an expert in neurology-related claims, while ‘excellent’ litigator McAleese focuses on defending birth and brain injury cases. Catherine Carton and Cathal O’Neill head up the insurance personal injury team. Carton has a broad workload, from bullying and harassment in the workplace to industrial disease claims. O’Neill is experienced in handling significant asbestos claims.

The Clyde & Co Belfast team is a go-to for insured clients and insurers, regularly advising on claims related to workplace and road traffic injuries. Cormac Fitzpatrick heads the catastrophic injury and large loss services and is a skilled defence litigator. Graeme Moore is routinely instructed on personal injury claims, while Michelle McCullough is a key point of contact for the firm’s clientele of local major insurers. Naomi Campbell is another name of note.

DAC Beachcroft has a diverse client roster, servicing all types of insurers, from multi-line and specialist line to corporate and clinical negligence insurers. Sean McGahan specialises in higher value personal injury claims, including asbestos litigation and noise-induced hearing loss. Aisling Mellon leads the motor injury team and focuses on motor-related personal injury claims. Louise Butler leads on casualty injury matters, while Catriona McCorry is the go-to for high-value clinical negligence High Court claims. Michael McLarnon‘s caseload consists of credit hire motor claims. Amanda McClimond is highlighted for insurance panel clinical negligence matters.

Kennedys‘ defence liability and healthcare team has strong expertise in defending medical negligence claims, acting for chiropractors, eye specialists, and private hospitals. The team is proficient in motor claims and occupational disease claims. Practice head Amanda Wylie is a ‘leader’ in defence personal injury litigation, acting in matters related to catastrophic and life-changing injuries. Wylie is regularly supported by ‘excellent performer’ Megan Boyd on instructions for independent health service providers.

The Tughans insurance and disputes team is singled out for its strength in litigious matters, covering catastrophic personal injury and occupational disease. Head of insurance, Kathy McGillie, is a go-to for the firm’s insurer clientele, and has extensive experience in health and safety regulatory investigations. Alistair Wilson was appointed to head of clinical negligence in 2024, and leads on the full gamut of healthcare mandates for both insured and uninsured doctors and dentists. Neil Smyth is noted for public liability claims, including those from accidents abroad, while litigator Kevin Hegarty is described as a ‘stand-out’ and regularly acts for healthcare providers and medical defence organisations. Other individuals of note include Francesca Glynn and Pauline Walker.

The healthcare and insurance team at DWF handles health and safety and regulatory prosecutions for both public and private sector clients, encompassing fatalities and serious injuries. The Belfast team draws on its broader network across the UK, including London, Edinburgh, and Newcastle. Laura Menary and Mark Johnston jointly lead the team. Menary is a highly praised litigator who is instructed by major medical defence organisations and global insurers.

A growing team, Keoghs LLP‘s insurance team advises insurers on a wide breadth of contentious matters, covering road traffic and catastrophic injuries as well as product liability claims. Practice head Victoria McLean is lauded for being a ‘second to none’ defence expert and routinely represents clients in the High Court, particularly for motor accidents. Megan McBrien was appointed partner in 2024 and is noted for representing employers. Rachel Keenan‘s workload consists of motor, employer, and public liability claims.

The dispute resolution team at Arthur Cox Belfast represents insurers on a range of personal injury cases, including employers’ liability claims, for which the team is particularly experienced in noise-induced hearing loss matters. Chris Ritchie heads up the team. Ritchie is well-versed in product liability claims.