Tim Hodgetts leads an outstanding team at Bevan Brittan LLP that ‘really knows its stuff’. It has an excellent relationship with leading Acute NHS Trusts as well as acting for a growing number of insurers and healthcare providers. In addition, it works closely with NHS Resolution on the management of cases involving birth injuries where the potential damages liability often exceeds £18m. Adrian Dagnall is an NHS Resolution nominated partner and is best known for his work on high-profile indexation, periodical payment and high-value cases. At associate level, Elena Goodfellow, handles many complex claims.

The ‘practical, proactive and sensible’ team at Browne Jacobson LLP is praised for its ‘collaborative approach‘. It has one of the largest national defendant clinical defendant practices in the UK as well as an excellent social care practice. It fields many first-rate practitioners such as Jonathan Fuggle  who is recognised for his expertise in spinal surgery claims. Sarah Manning specialises in defending substantial clinical negligence claims. Sian Brown leads the specialist obstetric division, while Sarah White deftly handles a variety of catastrophic injury claims. Among the other key names to note are ‘master tactician‘ William Reynolds who acts on behalf of NHS Resolution, NHS Trusts, and other private insurers and commercial organisations, Emma Rees  (legal director); Hannah Wallace and Louise Jeffers  (who are both senior associates).

Weightmans LLP has a stellar reputation for its work in this area. The nimble team covers a broad variety of high-value and contentious cases. At the cornerstone of the practice, is defending numerous birth and brain injury cases for various NHS trusts. Its dedicated GP team continues to receive a high number of primary care claim instructions and it also has considerable strength in group claims. Names to note include Deborah Bannister  and Tony Yeaman . Jasmine Armstrong has advised on many defendant clinical negligence actions for NHS Resolution. Sarah Hopwood  advises national healthcare teams on cases where there is suspected exaggeration or fraud. Principal associate, Christian Lowden joined the team from Kennedys .

The ‘extremely competent’ team at Capsticks LLP is part of a strong national offering. It is ‘always willing to go that extra mile to help us’ say clients. Charlotte Rathbone regularly works on clinical negligence claims on behalf of NHS trusts and GPs on instruction from NHS Resolution. Rathbone frequently  handles claims involving the most severe neurological injuries and has a particular interest in obstetric cases. Lucy Erskine specialises in complex neurological injuries and has particular expertise in obstetric and wrongful birth claims. London-based Peter Marquand  is also recommended.

Christopher Malla heads a strong and ‘active’ practice at Kennedys, which has particular expertise in handling complex multi-million pound birth injury claims. The group was pleased to be recently re-appointed to the NHS Resolution’s Clinical panel as well as continuing to act for many private healthcare providers. It has the expertise to handle a wide range of claims including those of maximum severity. Avinder Sidhu is recommended for her work on birth injuries and neurosurgical complications -she also has extensive experience in mediation. Katie Tonks manages a wide range of claims including numerous high-value neurological injuries.