The large Southampton-based team at Clyde & Co is recommended for its expertise in defending the full spectrum of personal injury claims, with particular strength in catastrophic injury cases involving brain and spinal trauma. The department handles serious motor claims, including incidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, as well as employers’ and public liability matters. A trio of partners lead the practice: Andrew Hibbert, who has experience across all major injury types including brain and spinal injury, amputations and fatal accidents; Stephanie Atkinson, who is a specialist in complex liability and damages issues in catastrophic and child injury claims; and Joe Wakeford, who brings additional expertise in Court of Protection matters as well as equestrian and livestock claims.
Personal injury: defendant in South East
Clyde & Co
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Hibbert; Joe Wakeford; Stephanie Atkinson
Les références
‘Stephanie Atkinson is always available if I wish to discuss issues or matters on any case, we have worked very well together on some complex cases and worked collaboratively with claimant solicitors to achieve some excellent settlements on cases.’
Principaux clients
LV
DLG
Markel
Liberty
Allianz
Travelers
Hastings
QBEM
DWF
‘Providing insurers with high-quality services’, DWF is recognised for its expertise in severe injury cases, including brain and spinal injuries, amputations and functional neurological disorders, with a focus on claims arising from road traffic accidents, workplace incidents and public spaces. Rhys Sanchez, who joined the team from the firm’s London office, now leads the Southampton office, bringing extensive experience in defending claims related to employers’ liability, motor liability and public and products’ liability. Stuart Giddings specialises in road traffic accidents and liability claims, while Rachel Coombs is particularly noted for her expertise in spinal injuries and her ‘incredible attention to detail’. Michael Renshaw departed the team in May 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rhys Sanchez
Autres avocats clés:
Stuart Giddings; Rachel Coombs; Sarah Parker
Les références
‘Rachel Coombs is an absolute standout. Incredible attention to detail. Strong relationships with clients. Undertakes cases involving injuries of the utmost severity with sensitivity and care. Knows when to collaborate.’
‘An exceptional and growing team of highly engaged and focused defendant lawyers whose client care is second to none. They clearly excel in training young lawyers as the star partners are supported by extremely able and clever associate lawyers who are confident and appropriately empowered to conduct difficult cases, thereby ensuring the long-term quality of the services the firm can provide in the South East.’
‘The firm has very sound, deep coverage. They will have someone of quality available.’
Principaux clients
LV
Direct Line Group
Aviva
Allianz
Markerstudy
Esure
NFUM
QBE
Kennedys
Fielding a ‘highly professional and experienced team’, Kennedys represents global insurers, corporates and public sector bodies on complex brain and spinal injury claims, large-scale group litigation, along with additional matters such as those relating to abuse, legacy disease, motor and casualty claims. Jennifer Harris leads the department, focusing on defending claims related to catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents, including those involving children and cases crossing multiple jurisdictions. Richard West heads the firm’s global liability defence group, known for his expertise in catastrophic injury and motor coverage claims, while Joy Middleton has been described as ‘tenacity personified’ in her handling of the full spectrum of multi-track cases. Nicola Hammerton works closely with West, with a particular interest in brain injury, spinal injury and amputation claims.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jennifer Harris
Autres avocats clés:
Richard West; Joy Middleton; Ben Appleton; Mark Burton; Nicola Hammerton
Les références
‘A consistently strong defendant PI team with an astute set of lawyers who are eminently pragmatic.’
‘Ben Appleton is a real star and really on the ball with complex injury matters, including brain injury cases and various pain disorders.’
‘Mark Burton is a hugely experienced and leading defendant partner in this field. Astute and extremely knowledgeable. A pleasure to work with.’
Principaux clients
Aviva
Gallagher Bassett
World Rugby
Harrods
Stannah Lift Services
First Group
Chubb
Brit Insurance
Liberty Mutual
Sompo International
Markel International
Riverstone
New India Assurance
HDI Global
QBE
IGI
China Taiping
Unicorn Underwriting
Intercontinental Adjusters
MS AISE
Brit
WHSmith PLC
Direct Commercial Ltd
PEN Underwriting
Edison Motor
Volante Global
Barbican Managing Agency Limited
Tradex
Clegg Gifford
ERS/IQUW
Intercontinental Adjusters
Keoghs LLP
Working closely with leading insurers, managing general agents, brokers, corporates and public sector clients, Keoghs LLP ‘delivers expert, practical advice’ on casualty, abuse and catastrophic injury claims. Practice head Matthew Perkins specialises in representing insurers on motor risks, with additional experience in orthopaedic and brain injuries. Andrew Williamson advises on a wide range of road traffic accident and casualty claims, including those related to spinal injuries and amputations, while Paul Baxter is praised for being ‘sharp, practical, and approachable’ in handling Motor Policy, Road Traffic Act and Motor Insurers’ Bureau liability matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Matt Perkins
Autres avocats clés:
Andrew Williamson; Paul Baxter
Les références
‘Andrew is immensely experienced and a very talented litigator, who is very well known and respected in the market. Both Matthew and Andrew are very popular with insurer clients and deservedly so- I regard them as two of the best defendant PI solicitors in the country.’
‘Fights hard for its clients. The lawyers are knowledgeable and proactive – they don’t just leave it to counsel.’
‘Matt Perkins is a really good all-around lawyer and case handler operating out of Southampton.’
Principaux clients
esure
Motor Insurers’ Bureau
LV=
Allianz
Mulsanne
Indemnis
Zurich
ERS
Faraday insurance
Trethowans LLP
Handling mandates from insurers, businesses and self-insured entities across the UK and Europe, Trethowans LLP is particularly well-equipped to handle cross-border work and farming-related accidents. Kelvin Farmaner leads the team with experience in catastrophic injury matters arising from road traffic accidents and has specialist knowledge in animal-related cases, earning praise for his ‘excellent tactical awareness’. A further key figure in the team, the ‘tenacious’ Bethany Blamire excels at managing a variety of motor claims on behalf of both domestic and international insurers.
Responsables de la pratique:
Kelvin Farmaner
Autres avocats clés:
Bethany Blamire; Sarah Wheadon
Les références
‘A very effective and efficient team. They are particular experts when it comes to handling cases for foreign insurers.’
‘Kelvin Farmaner is a stalwart of international motor insurance claims. He understands what his clients need to know about the English process, and is extremely effective in making sure that even the most complex cases are resolved with minimal delay and complications.’
‘The whole team are on hand and well informed on case management and therefore aligned with advice and support.’
Principaux clients
Van Ameyde UK Ltd
Cornish Mutual Assurance Co Ltd
Go Ahead Group
RSPCA
Stark Building Materials UK Ltd
Appleby Westward Group Ltd
Flyct B.V
Jewson Ltd
Farm and General Insurance
Arch Insurance
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Groupama on a significant motor claim and setting the claim for £150,000, being less than half the sum claimed.
- Acting for a bus company via Van Ameyde and successfully defending a motorcyclist’s claim at trial on liability and thereafter recovering costs against the credit hire organisation involved for the Claimant.
- Acting for Cornish Mutual in relation to a quad bike accident and settling a claim for £25,000, which had been pleaded at over £770,000.