The ‘consistently professional and approachable’ Carson McDowell teams are well known for providing clients with a full range of matters. Roger McMillan and Jacqueline McAleese head the clinical negligence defence department. McMillan is a specialist in defending medical professionals in alleged misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis claims in the High Court, while McAleese focuses on defending complex cervical and expedited cancer cases. Catherine Carton and Cathal O’Neill, who are both ‘very approachable and very engaged’ lead the insurance personal injury team. Carton is active on both employer’s liability and public liability matters, while O’Neill is well versed in high-value asbestos claims.

The Clyde & Co Belfast team specialises in offering legal services to the insurance sector, including indemnity issues, and defending claims. Cormac Fitzpatrick heads the department and often leads cases which involve severe injuries, including injuries to the brain, abdominal area, and spine. Graeme Moore excels at defending claims concerning health and safety executive investigations, while Michelle McCullough often acts on insurance litigations concerning traffic accidents. Legal director Naomi Campbell continues to act for one of the world’s largest insurers in personal injury cases.

DAC Beachcroft is an international firm which services many leading insurers and underwriters worldwide. Sean McGahan leads the 'highly efficient' and 'always approachable' Belfast team. McGahan specialises in both short-tail and long-tail disease claims. Aisling Mellon heads the motor team and often leads on claims concerning high value traffic accidents. Catriona McCorry is the key contact for clinical negligence, while Louise Butler is well versed in casualty injury claims. Kevin O'Hagan specialises in assisting clients with personal injury claims which involve regulatory issues. Legal director Amanda McClimond is a strong performer in insurance panel clinical negligence matters.

Kennedys is an international commercial law firm which specialises in insurance defendant work. The Belfast office offers clinical negligence work for a large number of medical professionals, such as chiropractors, aestheticians, and plastic surgeons. Practice head Amanda Wylie, ‘one of the leading figures in the local professional negligence and large loss sector’ specialises in personal injury litigation, including matters at the High Court level, or cross-jurisdictional in nature. Wylie is often assisted by associate Megan Boyd with ‘meticulous preparation and attention to detail’. Senior associate Ian Martindale is adept in handling complex special loss claims, while senior associate Gareth McKee regularly assists insurers in professional negligence and industrial disease matters.

The Tughans insurance and disputes team, led by Kathy McGillie, has a litigation practice which is described as ‘second to none’. McGillie, an expert in health and safety regulatory investigations and related litigation, is a key contact for insurers and large corporates. McGillie is often supported by Pauline Walker, a legal director who is experienced in employer and public liability matters which involve workplace accidents. The ‘very friendly and approachable’ Neil Smyth often represents insurers in defending claims concerning fraud, traffic accidents, and public liability. Other noteworthy individuals include Andrew Anthony; Alistair Wilson; and associate director Francesca Glynn.

The healthcare and insurance team at DWF advises insurers and self-insured businesses across a wide variety of cases, like catastrophic injury, fraud, occupational health, among other areas. The Belfast team is supported by the firm’s wider UK network, with offices in cities including London, Edinburgh, and Newcastle. The practice is jointly headed by Laura Menary and Mark Johnston. Menary, ‘courteous, responsive, and with excellent attention to detail’ is often active on misdiagnoses and delay in diagnosis clinical negligence matters.

Backed by its UK network, Keoghs LLP Belfast advises insurers with a wide range of matters involving road traffic accidents, breach of contracts, and catastrophic injuries. Practice head Victoria McLean, a ‘very measured and a reassuring presence’, specialises in traffic accident claims which result in complex injuries. Megan McBrien, having previously practised as a barrister, regularly acts in employer and public liability litigations. Rachel Keenan has recently been working on fatal road accident cases. In January 2024, McBrien and Keenan were both promoted to partner.

The dispute resolution team at Arthur Cox Belfast provides legal representation for insurance companies or corporate clients across various personal injury cases, encompassing employers’ liability, public liability, and occupiers’ liability claims. The ‘very responsible and knowledgeable’ Chris Ritchie leads the team. Ritchie specialises in areas including hearing loss and product liability claims.

The Napier Solicitors litigation department provides legal services for the education, public authority, and religious sectors, boasting a strong reputation in these fields. The department is jointly led by managing partner Joseph Napier and senior solicitor Claire Wilson. Napier's focus areas include motor, public, and employer liability cases, as well as a niche in the educational and religious sectors. Meanwhile, Wilson brings her experience in handling personal injury litigation to the team.