Hall Of Fame

Firms To Watch: Clinical negligence: claimant

With the recruitment of Natalie Cosgrove, a birth injury specialist with expertise in high-value birth-related injury and fatality cases, Ashtons Legal is continuing to expand its capabilities in the clinical negligence space.
Slater and Gordon’s Sheffield team benefitted from the addition of Jodie Cook, who is building the firm’s offering in clinical negligence and is experienced in handling high-profile and complex cases.

Clinical negligence: claimant in Yorkshire And The Humber

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell specialises in complex and high-value clinical negligence claims, involving birth injury, spinal injury, adult-acquired brain injury, and amputation cases. Julianne Moore leads the team in Sheffield with a breadth of experience in birth injury claims, leveraging her medical background. Sarah Coles leads the team in Leeds and is an expert in cerebral palsy, amputation and adult brain injury claims. Tom Mathers is an experienced litigator for claimants with all levels of injury, while Rachelle Mahapatra, Sarah Rowland, Anna Stacey, Rachel Roach and Ross McWilliams all have extensive experience in birth injury claims. Tim Annett has expertise in claims arising from defective medical devices, while Samuel Hill regularly defends complex, multi-party claims. Tania Harrison is a specialist in claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 arising out of clinical negligence. The team is bolstered by its experienced team of associates and legal directors, of which Rosie Charlton, Rebecca Pearey and Victoria Harris are of note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Julianne Moore; Sarah Coles


Autres avocats clés:

Tom Mather; Rachelle Mahapatra; Sarah Rowland; Tim Annett; Anna Stacey; Rachel Roach; Samuel Hill; Tania Harrison; Ross McWilliams; Rosie Charlton; Rebecca Pearey; Victoria Harris


Les références

‘Irwin Mitchell is one of the major solicitors dealing with high-value and complex clinical negligence claims. Their experience allows them to pursue cases with a high degree of professionalism leading to many successful claims on behalf of their clients. They investigate issues thoroughly and present their cases clearly and accurately.’

‘I have been working with the Irwin Mitchell clinical negligence team for many years. I have always been impressed by their professionalism. The team have consistently shown a high level of competence in handling even the most complex cases, and they have always exhibited a strong dedication to achieving the best outcome for their clients.’

‘Julianne Moore has been so helpful through the entire process. She is personable and approachable. She explains legal processes thoroughly in non-legal jargon. Knowing that I can contact her with any worries that may have popped into my head and knowing she will come back to me quickly and in a helpful manner has made a stressful time much easier.’

Minton Morrill

Minton Morrill fields a highly experienced team that regularly represents clients on a range of high-value and complex clinical negligence matters with a particular focus on birth injury claims, including cerebral palsy matters and other significant brain injuries, including those arising from meningitis and Kawasaki disease. The team is headed up by founder Simon Minton, who has decades of experience handling complex claims, particularly concerning cerebral palsy, meningitis and Erb’s palsy issues. Sahida Patel heads up the birth and brain injury unit, often advising on maximum-severity birth injury cases. Guy Pomphrey is skilled in handling birth injury, orthopaedic and fatal accident matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Simon Minton; Sahida Patel; Guy Pomphrey


Les références

‘The team work well together and make you feel valued. All team members are approachable.’

‘The people I have worked with are kind and help support you. I have worked mostly with Simon Minton, and he shows a lot of knowledge and professionalism but is happy to explain anything to me. There has been no point where I have felt undermined.’

‘Sahida Patel was nothing short of exceptional from the first point of contact I made with her. Sahida is professional, highly efficient, knowledgeable and hugely dedicated to securing positive outcomes. Sahida was also very humanistic, which is what initially impressed me – when I first made contact to talk about my circumstances, she was genuinely interested.’

Stewarts Law LLP

Stewarts Law LLP handles a caseload of highly complex and high-value matters, and the team is experienced in spinal, birth and brain injury claims, and fatal accident matters, amongst a number of other specialisms. The team is spearheaded by Frank Pinch, who also heads up the Leeds cross-border claims practice, and is experienced in handling clinical negligence claims with an international element. Amy Fielding assists Pinch with supervising the Leeds team and specialises in birth, brain and spinal injury and multi-defendant claims, also leveraging her medical background. Gabrielle Ross focuses on high-value spinal and brain injuries alongside fatal accident claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Frank Pinch


Autres avocats clés:

Amy Fielding; Gabrielle Ross


Les références

‘A firm above all others. Extremely professional, knowledgeable and caring. They took the time to explain everything to me regarding the whole process. I genuinely believe they will fight with everything they’ve got to give me the outcome I deserve. From my experience with other solicitor firms in the past, Stewart’s are in a different world. I am very lucky to have them in my corner.’

‘Amy Fielding has worked on my case for many years now. She is one of a kind. Extremely hardworking, always straight to the point and gets results. I feel very safe in Amy’s hands.’

‘Gabrielle Ross has been an amazing support and expert throughout the protracted case. Whilst being a consummate professional, she is also approachable and understanding, and I felt extremely confident in her abilities. No question from me was too basic; complicated stages were explained completely, and at all times, I felt consulted, understood and confident.’

Switalskis Solicitors

Switalskis Solicitors has multiple specialisms within clinical negligence, spanning maternity negligence, birth injury, brain injury, and baby loss cases, and the associated inquests, with extensive experience in group action claims. The ‘client-focused and fearless’ team is led by Suzanne Munroe, who specialises in cerebral palsy claims, brain injury issues arising from neonatal negligence, and inquests relating to stillbirths and early neonatal death. Sarah Tipton Walker leads a specialist team that focuses on complex, high-value brain injury cases and unusual catastrophic claims, while Richard Starkie is experienced in serious spinal and brain injuries and is skilled in claims that have an international element. Robyn Hawxby is noted for her work relating to spinal and neurological injuries, and stroke claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Suzanne Munroe; Sarah Tipton Walker


Autres avocats clés:

Richard Starkie; Robyn Hawxby


Les références

‘Switalskis has built a hugely experienced clinical team who also take a very personal approach to their clients.’

‘Attention to detail, focus on the client, unswerving devotion to their clients.’

‘Richard Starkie is exceptionally talented. He is assiduous in his attention to detail. He is a first-rate lawyer with good judgment, too.’

Hudgell Solicitors

Hudgell Solicitors leverages its large and experienced team to offer a wide range of clinical negligence specialisms. The team has a track record in successful high-value and complex cases involving birth injuries, brain injuries, and amputations, as well as more niche areas such as sepsis and medication errors. Chris Moore leads the team and specialises in catastrophic injuries, particularly those suffered at birth. Vince Shore co-leads the team with Moore, with vast experience in cases related to negligent management of pregnancy and birth, including hypoxic brain damage, cerebral palsy and cognitive deficit issues. Helena Wood is recommended for matters involving surgical errors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chris Moore; Vince Shore


Autres avocats clés:

Elizabeth Maliakal; Michelle Tebbutt; Helena Wood


Les références

‘The firm provided me with a team of well-experienced solicitors who are experts in a particular field.’

‘My lawyer is very dedicated and genuinely caring. She makes sure that I understand everything and explains things really well, giving me all the information I need to make my decision and settle my claim.’

‘From the start, we have been so comfortable with who we work with. Everybody who is working closely with us is amazing; we are kept in the loop every step of the way, and when we have meetings, it’s like being with friends (professionally, of course).’

SJP Law

SJP Law has a proven track record in highly complex and maximum severity clinical negligence claims involving a range of matters such as mismanaged birth, neonatal injuries, brain injuries and psychological injury. Neil Holland spearheads the team, specialising in catastrophic injuries, brain injuries and cerebral palsy claims, working alongside Simon Burgess, who is an expert in handling complex injury cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Neil Holland


Autres avocats clés:

Simon Burgess


Les références

‘Excellent client service, recovery of substantial damages for maximum severity injuries. Stand out firm in the area.’

‘Neil Holland is the creme de la creme of maximum severity solicitors. He leads the team with aplomb. His calm manner and ‘nothing is too difficult’ attitude spreads across the team.’

‘The team work very close together and I am made to feel like everyone is aware of my circumstances.’

Howells

Howells operates across a wide range of clinical negligence arenas, including issues stemming from fatal accidents, birth injuries, inquests arising out of deaths in a clinical setting, as well as claims under the Human Rights Act 1998. The firm's strong team of associates include Michelle Gyte, who heads up the practice; she specialises in complex cases such as fatal accidents and dependency claims, and is skilled in coordinating multi-party actions. Jenna Kisala is experienced in a range of matters, including surgical injuries and has a special interest in birth injury cases. Amy Fiddler leads a number of inquest cases and clients benefit from her specialist knowledge of welfare benefits.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michelle Gyte


Autres avocats clés:

Jenna Kisala; Amy Fiddler


Les références

‘Howells is highly committed to claimant clinical negligence practice, and all the solicitors are highly motivated to protect the rights of patients. The firm has a panorama of experienced practitioners in this specialist area. The teamwork is of a high standard. It is one of the foremost practices in Sheffield and Yorkshire.’

‘Michelle Gyte is highly experienced and a specialist in clinical negligence claims who manages claims of the utmost severity. She is highly intelligent and incisive and a pleasure to work with. She is a leader in her field and heads up the team.’

‘Jenna Kisala is an experienced clinical negligence practitioner. She manages complex clinical negligence litigation, including brain and spinal injuries. Jenna is an able practitioner who can front up to defendant solicitor opponents and ensures her clients obtain the best settlements.’

Middleton Law Ltd

Middleton Law Ltd is experienced in varied clinical negligence work and has a track record in successfully handling complex cases, with a focus on birth injury claims. The team is led by Neil Fearn, a specialist in issues arising from birth injuries resulting in cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy. Charlotte Peel leads on a number of high-value and technically complex birth injury claims, while Luq Ali advises on a variety of claims, including hypoxic birth injury and complex spinal claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Neil Fearn


Autres avocats clés:

Charlotte Peel; Luq Ali


Les références

‘Knowledgeable and accessible.’

‘Neil Fearn and Charlotte Peel have gone above and over on my behalf, and I wouldn’t have been able to go through my claim without them. They truly have pushed themselves through my claim and have given the best personal service to me.’

‘The team is personal, gives attention to detail, has a good understanding of the clinical negligence process and good communication.’

Taylor & Emmet LLP

Taylor Emmet acts on a range of cases and is highly capable in handling high-value and complex cases, including cases involving brain injury, birth injury, and misdiagnosis issues. Department head James Drydale is skilled in claims of maximum severity and complexity, while Paul Fouad is experienced in acting for clients who lack capacity or have complex care needs including cases involving brain and birth injuries. Kathryn May is noted for her work in gynaecological injury cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

James Drydale


Autres avocats clés:

Paul Fouad; Kathryn May


Les références

‘The practice operates as a cohesive unit and, as such, is always accessible, professional and attentive, demonstrating a unity of purpose and values.’

‘I work predominantly with James Drydale, who consistently delivers expert-based yet personalised professionalism, support, guidance and assurance to me throughout what has become a lengthy and complex clinical negligence case. His friendly, focused, and diligent nature is an asset to me personally and to the practice.’

‘They are so kind, and nothing is too much trouble. You feel valued as a client.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acted in the first cerebral palsy quantum trial in the UK for 6 years.

Wake Smith Solicitors Limited

Wake Smith Solicitors Limited‘s team has significant experience in a range of claims with a recent focus on neuro-trauma cases; the group's caseload also includes neurological injury at birth issues, fatal claims and surgical injury mandates. Leading the team is Terry Regan, who is noted for his work on cerebral palsy and birth trauma cases and has conducted cases in the Supreme Court and the European Court of Justice. Scott Haslam has notable work regarding complex non-traumatic spinal cord injuries, and Kate Lax acts on a range of matters, including serious brain injury at birth and serious road traffic accident claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Terry Regan


Autres avocats clés:

Scott Haslam; Kate Lax


Les références

‘Absolutely dedicated team to their clients and getting the best for them. The team is amazing, and they never stop working and trying to get justice for their clients.’

‘Kate Lax and Scott Haslam are exceptional. They are clear-thinking and proactive and take every step to achieve the best for their clients. ’

‘A small but highly specialised team. Very impressive. Gives a particularly personalised service to clients.’

Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors

Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors handles cases involving serious and catastrophic injuries, including birth injuries and adult and child brain injuries. Jacqueline Vance is also a qualified nurse and has a wealth of experience in the medical sector, often handling cases involving major and catastrophic injuries. Michael Cotter specialises in investigating and litigating complex, high-value cases involving maximum-severity injuries. Howard Willis leads the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Howard Willis


Autres avocats clés:

Jacqueline Vance; Michael Cotter


Les références

‘They are always ready to listen and act quickly.’

‘Very meticulous.’

‘Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors are a professional, reliable and trustworthy firm.’

Graysons Solicitors

Graysons Solicitors handles a range of clinical negligence matters, such as failure to diagnose issues and birth injury claims. Nikki Yavari heads up the department and is experienced in a range of complex matters, including Erb’s palsy, cauda equina, and birth injury cases. Andrew Lee has a specific interest in compartment syndrome work and experience in cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and birth injury cases. Jessica Battensby expanded her practice beyond dental negligence work to focus on diabetic and cancer misdiagnosis claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nikki Yavari


Autres avocats clés:

Andrew Lee; Jessica Battensby


Les références

‘I have worked with Nikki Yavari and Jessica Battensby, and both are very efficient, friendly and helpful.’

‘From the initial call, the service was personal and attentive. Once we were taken on as clients, the service was excellent, and we always felt informed of what was going on. It felt like they were on our side and understood us and our motives for pursuing a claim.’

‘A small but very capable and experienced team able to compete with the largest firms.’

Harrowells Solicitors

Harrowells Solicitors handles high-value claims with a focus on late diagnosis, negligent surgery and misdiagnosis matters. The team is headed up by Richard Wood, who is experienced in dealing with cases relating to catastrophic injuries, medical negligence issues and industrial diseases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Richard Wood


Les références

‘Always available to talk and always supportive. Professional, knowledgeable and supportive, as well as kind and welcoming. Richard Wood always went the extra mile and was exceptional to work with.’

‘I cannot recommend Harrowells highly enough. Their team, led by Richard Wood, who was my solicitor, were informative, speedy and exceptionally capable. I didn’t ever have to chase for a response, and updates were frequent and clear.’

‘Throughout the process, Richard Wood kept me up to date; he was thorough in obtaining details and explaining the process. No question was an issue, and he was always quick and more than happy to respond. He put me at ease and made the whole process less stressful.’

Morrish Solicitors LLP

Morrish Solicitors LLP represents both unions and its associated members as well as individuals, handling a variety of misdiagnosis cases. Anna Sari heads up the team, and has a particular interest in matters arising from birth-related injuries to both mother and baby, and brain injuries sustained at birth.

Responsables de la pratique:

Anna Sari


Les références

‘The strength is with the team; I felt safe from the first appointment, where a thorough discussion on my case and explanation of the process and expectations were outlined clearly.’

‘The lawyer representing my case, Anna Sari, was exceptional in the way she had a humanitarian approach where I always felt supported. At the same time, she was practical and did not shy away from discussions that had the potential to be uncomfortable. I trusted her professional capabilities and would highly recommend her.’

‘The clinical negligence team at Morrish Solicitors perform very well. They handle cases across all damages levels up to extremely complex cerebral palsy cases.’

Principaux clients

National Education Union (NEU)


Musicians’ Union (MU)


National Association of Probation Officers (NAPO)


Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)


Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA)


Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)


Society of Union Employees (SUE)


Social Workers’ Union (SWU)


Pharmacists Defence Association (PDA)


Ramsdens Solicitors LLP

Ramsdens Solicitors LLP conducts a range of cases with a mix of values and complexity, with strong capabilities in hypoxic brain injury, cerebral palsy and fatality claims. Nick Armitage leads the team, assisted by Nick Stojanovic, who focuses on complex claims and fatal cases and is a skilled senior litigator. Also active are Rachel Sharp, who is proficient in high-value and multi-track claims, and Ian Miles, who specialises in claims involving multiple defendants.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nick Armitage


Autres avocats clés:

Nick Stojanovic; Rachel Sharp; Ian Miles


Les références

‘Personal attention to detail, thorough knowledge of clinical negligence matters.’

‘Ian Miles is an excellent solicitor, a good communicator and has excellent knowledge.’

‘Very capable team dealing with a mixed caseload. Very sensitive approach taken to cases whilst constantly striving for the best outcomes.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Representing a young client who sustained a hypoxic brain injury as a result of clinical negligence.
  • Representing a client who sustained a brain injury due to misdiagnosis.
  • Representing a child who suffered cerebral palsy during birth.