Bevan Brittan LLP‘s team exhibits ‘unrivalled experience‘ in advising clinical commissioners and NHS trusts, property services, and resolution organisations on PFI variations, the Health and Care Act 2022, and estates disposals. The team is particularly adept at assisting NHS bodies with engagement with the Covid-19 public enquiry, in addition to issues concerning mental capacity and safeguarding. Practice head Joanna Lloyd is a clinical negligence expert, with an emphasis on obstetric and brain injuries, while Vincent Buscemi has a great deal of expertise in acting for developers, operators, and organisations on corporate vehicles, service transfers, and public engagement. Rosemary Jago primarily focuses on assisting NHS clients with procurement and delivery issues, including the funding of new hospitals and key worker accommodation, while Letitia Winterflood-Blood, who was promoted to partner in May 2023, has extensive experience in partnership and contractual matters, often advising NHS trusts on mergers and joint ventures. Carly Caton left the team to join Browne Jacobson LLP in November 2022.
Healthcare in London
Bevan Brittan LLP
Practice head(s):
Joanna Lloyd
Other key lawyers:
Rosemary Jago; Letitia Winterflood-Blood; Vincent Buscemi
Testimonials
‘They represent many of the major players in the healthcare sector, including NHS England. Unrivalled experience, and are acting on most of the major cases.’
‘A very professional firm who are valued. They are experts, having a specialist on hand whenever approached.’
‘Letitia Winterflood-Blood is extremely engaging and highly knowledgeable in her field. I have every confidence in the advice she gives which is always in a timely and efficient manner.’
‘I have been impressed with the professionalism, knowledge and approachability of the team.’
Key clients
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Barts Health NHS Trust
NHS Property Services Limited
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
NHS England
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAH)
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
NHS North West London ICB
Siemens Healthcare Limited
King Edward VII Hospital (KEVII)
Work highlights
- Advising Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust on a shared service project, under which the occupational health services across the whole of the North West London Integrated Care System will be provided to all staff of all partners, based on the Central and North West London model.
- Advising Royal Free Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on the formation of a corporate joint venture entity to carry out the activities of UCL Health Alliance, a provider alliance and collaborative comprised of 15 separate entities across the local health economy in North Central London.
- Advising Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust on the restructuring of its property development joint venture with Henry Boot Developments.
Browne Jacobson LLP
Gerard Hanratty leads the practice at Browne Jacobson LLP, which is noted for its ‘unparalleled depth of knowledge‘. The team regularly acts for NHS Resolution, health boards, and NHS trusts in matters concerning inquests, governance, and policy. The team also has extensive capabilities in the areas of mental health and Court of Protection cases, in addition to the reformation of primary care provision. Hanratty advises NHS organisations on governance and service reconfiguration projects, while Christian Dingwall utilises his corporate and regulatory expertise to advise clients on partnerships, the merging of trusts, and integrated care joint ventures. Charlotte Harpin has extensive experience in integrated care system development, and data sharing arrangements. Carly Caton, who offers an ‘exceptionally high level of support‘, joined the team from Bevan Brittan LLP in November 2022, contributing her vast knowledge of collaborations between the NHS and the private sector, and income generation projects.
Practice head(s):
Gerard Hanratty
Other key lawyers:
Christian Dingwall; Charlotte Harpin; Victoria Thourgood; Carly Caton
Testimonials
‘They bring excellent stakeholder engagement skills, alongside an unparalleled depth of knowledge of the health sector.’
‘Carly Caton consistently offers an exceptionally high level of support. Always prepared to go the extra mile, Carly ensures client satisfaction remains high at all times. She combines expertise with relationship skills, insight and humour.’
Key clients
NHS England
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
Stockport NHS Foundation
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
Prime PLC
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
King’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Swansea Bay University Health Board
DAC Beachcroft LLP
The ‘excellent‘ team at DAC Beachcroft LLP is well versed in handling data and procurement issues concerning the Covid-19 data store, and appeals concerning patient treatment decisions. The ‘hugely talented‘ Hamza Drabu heads the practice with ‘fierce intellect‘ and broad expertise in strategic commercial transactions, particularly in relation to the acquisition of NHS trusts and primary care deals. Alistair Robertson is known for his knowledge of judicial reviews, including those concerning the NHS response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Darryn Hale is particularly knowledgeable in the field of health information, and regularly advises clients on the use of NHS data. Udara Ranasinghe focuses on the employment aspects of healthcare, with a particular emphasis on whistleblowing cases involving doctors, while qualified barrister Jacques Howell, who joined the team from Clyde & Co in June 2022, has longstanding expertise in complex inquests work. Gemma Brannigan has broad experience in inquests and Court of Protection hearings involving medical treatment orders.
Practice head(s):
Hamza Drabu
Other key lawyers:
Alistair Robertson; Udara Ranasinghe; Jacques Howell; Gemma Brannigan; Darryn Hale
Testimonials
‘Excellent all round.’
‘DACB has a fantastic reputation in the UK healthcare sector and, increasingly, internationally too. Their offering shows a depth and breadth of experience that is rare. Their technology practice is a great bonus for their digital health clients.’
‘Hamza Drabu is hugely talented, he has a fierce intellect, is extremely pragmatic and responsive to his clients’ needs on a level I have rarely encountered. Hamza leads his team with humility and conviction, and has this unerring ability to make his clients feel they are being truly heard.’
Key clients
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Elysium Healthcare Limited
Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Department of Health and Social Care
Cygnet Health Care
NHS England
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
NHS North East London Integrated Care Board
Work highlights
- Advising NHS England on the Covid-19 inquiry.
- Advising multiple London NHS hospitals on their responses to strike action from nurses and other health workers.
Hill Dickinson LLP
The team at Hill Dickinson LLP acts for a number of notable clients, including the North Central London and North East London ICBs, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and represents them before the Court of Appeal in medical treatment cases and judicial reviews. Praised by clients for having ‘knowledge at her fingertips‘, Kiran Bhogal leads the team with longstanding expertise in judicial reviews, often acting in public enquiries, public consultation duties, and challenges to major service reconfigurations. Andrew Craggs focuses on policy issues and patient safety matters, while Emma Stockwell regularly represents the CQC, Health Education England, and NHS England in investigations and inquiries, in addition to appearing in appeals to the Upper Tribunal against registration decisions. Andrea Proudlock joined the team from DAC Beachcroft LLP in June 2022, contributing her vast experience in NHS real estate transactions.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Craggs; Kiran Bhogal; Emma Stockwell
Other key lawyers:
Joanna Trewin; Sharon Thomas; Robert McGough; Esther Venning; Andrea Proudlock; Michael Wright; Jamie Foster; Fiona McLellan
Testimonials
‘Always available to provide assistance and advice, they been very professional and provided excellent support to the team.’
‘The team are very responsive. They have real expertise in healthcare litigation, from the partners through to the associates.’
‘Kiran Bhogal stands out as having knowledge at her fingertips around all aspects of healthcare litigation.’
Key clients
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Great Manchester ICB
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
North Central London ICB
North East London ICB
Surrey Heartlands ICB
Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Work highlights
- Representing The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust in the inquest into the death of a child in Manchester due to prolonged mould exposure at his home address.
- Successfully defended NHS England and North Central London CCG in a judicial review of the CCG’s decision to approve a change of control in AT Medics, in connection with its acquisition by Operose Health.
- Representing a widower in a case in the High Court regarding surrogacy law.
Mills & Reeve LLP
Acting for a number of integrated care boards and NHS trusts, the team at Mills & Reeve LLP dispenses advice on digitisation, infrastructure matters, and large-scale capital schemes. Practice head Jill Mason has broad expertise spanning both the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, in addition to judicial reviews and inquests. The ‘incredible’ Rob Day, having been promoted to partner in June 2022, leads on the primary care and NHS governance side, often advising both commissioners and providers on operation developments. Duncan Astill maintains his regulatory focus, often handling healthcare-related investigations and prosecutions. Jog Hundle, who has longstanding experience in employment and corporate issues within healthcare, frequently advises on discrimination and whistleblowing cases concerning medical staff.
Practice head(s):
Jill Mason
Other key lawyers:
Duncan Astill; Jog Hundle; Natalie Wade; Rob Day
Testimonials
‘Great insight into the UK health system with a commercially driven mindset.’
‘Rob Day is a gem of a person and an incredible lawyer.’
Key clients
Supply Chain Coordination Limited
NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board
Vet Partners Limited
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Phoenix
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke -on-Trent Integrated Care Board
NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care|Board
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
NHS North West London Integrated Care Board
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Department of Health and Social Care
General Dental Council
British Medical Association
British Medical Association Legal
NHS England
Work highlights
- Advising Elysium Healthcare on its joint venture with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to develop a new bespoke unit for the provision of Tier 4 Inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Addleshaw Goddard
The team at Addleshaw Goddard handles a wide variety of matters, including both commercial transactions and competition issues, as well as disputes. The group frequently advises clients on infrastructure projects and construction issues surrounding the building and redevelopment of hospitals. Michael O’Connor co-heads the practice alongside Louise Dobson; the former primarily assists clients with transactional issues, including procurement projects, and the dissolution and acquisition of trusts, while the latter maintains a disputes-focused practice.
Practice head(s):
Michael O’Connor; Louise Dobson
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Newing; Andrew Pettinger; Nathalie Moreno
Testimonials
‘They understand our business and actively seek to understand what we want to achieve in any given matter. Sensitive to the commercial and reputational aspects as well as the legal matters.’
Key clients
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Fulcrum Infrastructure Group Limited (FIG) and Fulcrum Infrastructure Management Limited
Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Bupa Care Homes Mercia Healthcare
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Limited
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Bradford NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Free London NHS Trust
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
West Sussex Estates Partnership Limited
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Atlas BFW Management Limited
The Borough Council of Worthing
West Sussex Estates Partnerships
St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Work highlights
- Advising STEP Springfield Village, the development partner to South West London and St George’s NHS Trust, on the redevelopment of its Springfield hospital site in South West London.
- Advising the developer and Worthing Borough Council on the development of a new state-of-the-art integrated care centre providing community and mental healthcare services under one roof.
- Advising St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust on its acquisition of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, where the trusts will become a single NHS Trust.
Bindmans LLP
With ‘excellent strength in depth‘, the team at Bindmans LLP predominantly represents individuals in inquests and cases involving mental health, safeguarding and palliative care issues. Practice head Laura Hobey-Hamsher is a ‘first-class lawyer‘ who is well known for acting in Court of Protection cases concerning the medical treatment, health, and welfare of individuals under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Children Act 1989. Will Whitaker exhibits ‘excellent judgment‘ when handling the full gamut of human rights issues, with particular emphasis given to health and welfare. Praised for her ‘eye for detail‘, mental health expert Elizabeth Cleaver primarily represents individuals in health and social care matters, including challenges against policies and decisions. Basmah Sahib regularly appears before the Mental Health Tribunal, and handles judicial review challenges concerning policy.
Practice head(s):
Laura Hobey-Hamsher
Other key lawyers:
Will Whitaker; Elizabeth Cleaver; Anna Thwaites; Basmah Sahib
Testimonials
‘Elizabeth Cleaver is both professional and compassionate. Her knowledge of the law is excellent and well used.’
‘Bindmans are one of the leading healthcare firms acting primarily for claimants. They have excellent strength in depth, with expertise across a wide range of related fields including public law, Court of Protection and human rights.’
‘Laura Hobey-Hamsher is a stand out practitioner, and Basmah Sahib is an excellent solicitor with great empathy for her clients. Will Whitaker is also excellent, he demonstrates excellent judgment and is always calm even in the most difficult cases.’
‘Bindmans have outstanding expertise in this area. They are extremely knowledgeable about public law principles, inquests, and about the technical subject matter. This makes them a class act.’
‘An excellent firm of solicitors with a history of providing representation over a wide range of areas, all at a very high level of skill.’
‘Elizabeth Cleaver has an extremely good brain with an eye for detail, and is able to provide empathetic support to clients.’
‘Laura Hobey-Hamsher is a first-class lawyer with a deserved reputation for detailing with complex matters before the Court of Protection.’
Blake Morgan LLP
Bruce Potter and Eve Piffaretti jointly head the ‘responsive, experienced, capable and personable‘ practice at Blake Morgan LLP. The group handles the full gamut of relevant matters, including national research programmes and public health initiatives, and public enquiries. In addition to advising conduct regulators, Piffaretti has broad knowledge of issues surrounding the safeguarding of vulnerable children and adults, and has a great deal of experience in handling issues concerning mental capacity and mental health. Utilising his vast experience of public policy within the healthcare arena, Potter regularly dispenses advice on procurement projects, inquiries, and organisational mergers.
Practice head(s):
Bruce Potter; Eve Piffaretti
Other key lawyers:
Joanne Thompson; Richard Portlock; Claire Rawle; Claire Strickland
Testimonials
‘Eve Piffaretti is outstanding in respect of her knowledge of mental health and mental capacity law and practice, and responds rapidly and calmly to critical incidents. She provides clear advice and reassurance to staff working in a challenging area, and supports organisations in considering the whole range of outcomes.’
‘Responsive, experienced, capable and personable team. Look for solutions and deliver good quality work. Good understanding of the NHS, technology, and contracts.’
Key clients
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Health and Care Professionals Council
NHS Resolution
NHS England
NHS Wales
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Human Tissue Authority
InHealth Limited
Social Care Wales
Medway Community Healthcare
Welsh Government
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Work highlights
- Advising the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s specialist services team on cases arising in healthcare settings which have been the subject of major national investigations and inquiries.
- Acting for NHS England and the Welsh Blood Service in relation to the Infected Blood inquiry.
Capsticks LLP
Exhibiting ‘clear knowledge and understanding‘, Capsticks LLP‘s team handles the full spectrum of issues, notably, hospital redevelopment projects, and the termination of NHS PFI contracts, in addition to defending NHS employers in claims before the Employment Tribunal. Practice head Andrew Rowland utilises his employment background and ‘unrivalled experience‘ to advise NHS employers and NHS England on strike action, whisteblowing claims, and injunctive proceedings. Peter Edwards has a great deal of expertise in advising regulators and NHS bodies on their statutory powers and governance issues, while Dylan Young has ample contentious experience, with public procurement challenges being a distinctive area of focus. Stephen Tainsh leads on the corporate side, regularly assisting NHS trusts with collaboration agreements.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Rowland
Other key lawyers:
Francis Lyons; Stephen Tainsh; Sunita Raja, Peter Edwards; Dylan Young
Testimonials
‘What makes Capsticks unique is their ability to clearly walk you through complex legal structures and requirements. They explain implications and lay out options in a way that can be clearly understood by their clients. With Capsticks you feel as though they are genuinely in it for you and want you to be successful.’
‘It’s their partnership approach which makes the team stand out. They are always on hand, incredibly responsive, and provide comfort with their advice and knowledge. The whole team were great, however Dylan Young stands out. Exceptional delivery.’
‘The advice I had was very helpful and the response was quick and timely. The responsiveness and readiness to help gave a good impression.’
‘The team demonstrates clear knowledge and understanding.’
‘They have provided high-quality and timely advice consistently. This is underpinned by their understanding of the complexities, challenges and opportunities that face NHS organisations. Their advice is excellent, providing both a clear legal position and proposed pragmatic solutions. They are the go-to legal firm for complex legal issues facing the NHS.’
‘Andrew Rowland has an unrivalled experience of employment law in the NHS. He understands both the big picture and practical issues at provider level, whether complex issues relating to industrial action legislation or individual employment relations issues. I highly value Andrew’s clear and pragmatic advice at both trust and national level.’
Key clients
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford Health NHS Trust
NHS England
NHS Employers
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
NHS West Essex Integrated Care Board
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
West Suffolk NHS Trust
Oxford University Hospital NHS Trust
Work highlights
- Advised Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, NHS Resolution, and Department of Health and Social Care on the compensation scheme for the victims of the maintenance technician who abused corpses in the hospital mortuary.
- Advised North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust on the delivery of phased redevelopment.
- Represented North West London Integrated Care Board in a procurement challenge, providing advice on the strength of the challenge and the client’s options, and preparing correspondence seeking to deter a court claim.
Clyde & Co
The team of ‘excellent lawyers‘ at Clyde & Co displays ‘unrivalled knowledge and experience‘ in representing NHS Trusts in clinical negligence claims, coroner’s inquests, and hospital PFI projects. Claire Petts leads the team, and takes a ‘firm hand and rigorous approach‘ when handling medical malpractice claims concerning brain injury. David Hansom has a great deal of public sector expertise, and often represents NHS Trusts in litigation concerning public procurement, affecting critical services. Joining as a result of the recent BLM merger, Adam Weston brings broad knowledge spanning NHS England, CQC, and hospital trust investigations, as well as allegations of misconduct and dishonesty, to the team.
Practice head(s):
Claire Petts
Other key lawyers:
David Hansom; Adam Weston
Testimonials
‘Unrivalled knowledge and experience of the sector. Highly valued, strong, and determined team members who have a clear vision of how to achieve the best outcome for their clients.’
‘Claire Petts provides exceptional leadership. She handles casework with a firm hand and rigorous approach.’
‘Very good sector knowledge and some excellent lawyers.’
Key clients
London Ambulance NHS Trust
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Resolution
East Kent University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust
Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Trust
Dartford & Gravesham Hospitals NHS Trust
Kent and Medway CCG
Royal College of Nursing
RSA
Work highlights
- Assisted a large NHS Foundation Trust with the successful resolution of complex procurement and supply chain issues arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Advised an NHS Trust which provides central purchasing services to a range of other NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Systems on the variation and extension of an existing procurement contract to take into account changes in demographics, service needs and technology.
Kennedys
The ‘great team‘ at Kennedys is well known for handling end of life proceedings, community treatment orders, and section 21A applications. Having advised the National Emergency Critical Care Committee during the Covid-19 pandemic, practice head Rob Tobin is seen as a ‘go-to lawyer‘ for NHS Trusts requiring assistance with their responses to crises concerning mental health disorder services. Daniel Freeman has broad knowledge of capacity and emergency treatments, and goes ‘above and beyond‘ when advising on the training of doctors and psychiatrists. Senior associate Indi Kaur is a ‘very knowledgeable‘ mental health specialist who regularly advises on urgent applications to the Court of Protection for decisions relating to obstetric care.
Practice head(s):
Rob Tobin
Other key lawyers:
Daniel Freeman; Claire West; Indi Kaur
Testimonials
‘A great team for healthcare advisory work. There is a lot of knowledge within the team.’
‘Daniel Freeman is always very responsive, getting the perfect balance between legal advice and practical solutions. He understands the workings of an NHS Trust and is able to give practical, pragmatic advice. He goes above and beyond. He is great at communicating with clinicians on the ground as well as senior trust executives.’
‘Indi Kaur is very knowledgeable, offering in-depth legal advice as well as practical solutions. Her knowledge and experience is of that of a partner. She offers brilliant support on complicated cases.’
Key clients
NHS Resolution
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Health and Social Care Advisory Service (HASCAS)
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Barts Health NHS Trust
Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
North East London NHS Foundation trust
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Royal Berkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Work highlights
- Represented Barts Health NHS Trust in the inherent jurisdiction litigation involving the treatment of Archie Battersbee.
- Acted for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust in a case concerning a 26-year-old woman with a very complex mental health diagnosis and a long history of serious self-harm.
- Represented North East London NHS Foundation Trust in the investigation into historical deaths in the Essex and East London area involving mental health patients.
Bird & Bird LLP
Known for its expertise in and focus on technology-related work, Bird & Bird LLP handles a myriad of matters, including international healthcare projects, public and private sector partnerships, and investment within the sector. The team shows great aptitude for handling data protection matters for life sciences entities. Mark Hilton jointly co-heads the practice alongside Sally Shorthose, who has broad knowledge of IP transactions and life sciences regulation. David Ayers has longstanding experience in delivering healthcare projects relating to pathology services and data protection. Senior associate Ben Woodfield focuses on assisting clients with IT contracts and intra-NHS arrangements.
Practice head(s):
Mark Hilton; Sally Shorthose
Other key lawyers:
David Ayers; Stuart Cairn; Ben Woodfield
Key clients
Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Group
NHS London Procurement Partnership
New Landspitali Hospital
Albion Capital
Omnicell Group
Doctolib Srl
Tekacapital PLC
Horizons Ventures
uMotif Ltd
Work highlights
- Advising Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust on critical IT systems or arrangements, and ultimately the strategy in relation to important suppliers and systems.
- Advising the Synnovis group on commercial contracting matters relating to its core pathology services contracts and its IT contracts.
- Advising New Landspitali Hospital on the entire procurement process and contracts in relation to the construction of a new university hospital campus in Reykjavik.
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP houses a team of ‘extremely knowledgeable, hard-working‘ practitioners who regularly advise on public private partnerships, with notable clients including Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. Patrick Parkin leads the team with his longstanding expertise in advising NHS Trusts and hospitals on procurement projects. Richard Binns frequently handles arbitrations and disputes for independent social and healthcare providers. Lucy Pegler was promoted to partner in 2022, and often advises clients on collaborative procurement matters and framework agreements.
Practice head(s):
Patrick Parkin
Other key lawyers:
Richard Binns; Lucy Pegler
Testimonials
‘They work in small teams of extremely knowledgeable, hard-working individuals. This ensures everyone is up to speed.’
‘The team has a strong understanding of the contractual approach that the NHS takes when procuring goods and services from healthcare companies, and they apply this knowledge in a commercially pragmatic way.’
Key clients
Spire Healthcare plc
DHSC
Care Quality Commission
Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Optegra Eye Healthcare
Cambridge Perfusion LLP
Ludlow Street Healthcare
Ludlow Street Investment Corp.
GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance
Somerset Care
NHS Shared Business Services
Eucalyptus
Cumulus Oncology Limited
Nodus Oncology Limited
Neurochase Therapeutics Limited
Cobalt Health
Work highlights
- Advising Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust on its collaborative procurement, alongside its NHS partners Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham, to have access to private hospital theatres for the treatment of cancer patients.
- Advised Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, on the structuring, drafting and negotiation of a $100m zero-dose immunisation programme with non-governmental organisations to immunise children across marginalised communities, as well as on the IP elements of an agreement with MIT.
- Advising Spire Healthcare on competition law, including merger control and compliance matters.
Fieldfisher
The team at Fieldfisher advises a varied client base of care providers and employers on regulatory issues. A particular recent highlight involves assisting the Covid-19 inquiry with its set-up and establishment. Sarah Ellson leads the team with her vast expertise in regulatory issues surrounding cannabis and CBD, regularly advising medical manufacturers, online pharmacies, and clinicians. Known for his corporate and commercial expertise, Neil Palmer assists GPs and independent providers of NHS services with M&A deals and commercial contracts.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Ellson
Other key lawyers:
Neil Palmer; Janita Good
Testimonials
‘Detail-oriented and very pragmatic.’
‘Firm is supportive and pro-active.’
Key clients
Novartis Pharma AG
MBI Technology
Fresenius Kabi Ltd
City Healthcare Partnership CIC
Optima Health Group Limited
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Rowlands Pharmacies
Phoenix Healthcare
Human Tissue Authority
Roche Products
Work highlights
- Assisting Novartis Pharma with identifying the local regulations and legislation in relation to patient support programmes in over 38 countries.
- Defending the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in ongoing judicial review proceedings in relation to the advice the HFEA provides on add-on treatments.
- Assisting the UK Covid-19 inquiry with its set-up and establishment.
Irwin Mitchell
The ‘efficient, hardworking and knowledgeable‘ team at Irwin Mitchell is known for handling cases against clinical commissioning groups and NHS trusts. Yogi Amin heads the practice, often acting in cases concerning the right to die. Mathieu Culverhouse is ‘impressively knowledgeable‘ when handling mental capacity and community care issues, while Oliver Studdert regularly appears in Court of Protection cases regarding children’s rights. Angela Jackman frequently acts for vulnerable individuals in deprivation of liberty matters, and associate Rebecca Chapman focuses on access to medical care issues.
Practice head(s):
Yogi Amin
Other key lawyers:
Mathieu Culverhouse; Oliver Studdert; Angela Jackman; Rebecca Chapman
Testimonials
‘The team is efficient, hardworking and knowledgeable, with several very talented practitioners.’
‘Mathieu Culverhouse is an excellent solicitor, impressively knowledgeable about his field. He has great client skills.’
‘Rebecca Chapman is comfortable with managing difficult, urgent cases before High Court judges.’
Work highlights
- Represented the mother of a child in Court of Protection proceedings relating to whether it was in the child’s best interests to undergo a kidney transplant.
- Represented a client in Court of Protection proceedings in a dispute over whether they should receive a Covid-19 vaccination and the associated boosters.
- Represented the father of a 27-year-old woman who suffered from a serious degenerative neurological condition in proceedings in the Court of Appeal concerning whether the Court of Protection has the power to make injunctions.
Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP
Boasting a specialism which is ‘second to none‘, the team at Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP maintains its focus on public law, and the human rights and interests of children and adults with disabilities. Polly Sweeney, Anne-Marie Irwin and Alex Rook jointly head up the practice. Rook focuses on the administrative side of the healthcare sector, often acting in judicial reviews, while Sweeney focuses on care package disputes and medical treatment disputes before the Court of Protection, and Irwin dispenses advice on entitlement to NHS care.
Practice head(s):
Polly Sweeney; Anne-Marie Irwin; Alex Rook
Other key lawyers:
Caroline Barrett
Testimonials
‘Rook Irwin Sweeney’s specialism in healthcare law is second to none. They are a go-to firm for any healthcare-related work.’
Key clients
Gendered Intelligence
Good Law Project Limited
Residents of St Elizabeth’s Care Home
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Tim Nye and Kyle Holling jointly head the practice at Trowers & Hamlins LLP. Predominantly dispensing advice on the redevelopment of hospitals, the team often assists commissioners and NHS trusts. Nye primarily handles matters concerning joint ventures and M&A, and regularly advises entities within acute care, mental health, and residential nursing, while Holling utilises his expertise in real estate to assist funders, operators, and commissioners with real estate transactions.
Practice head(s):
Tim Nye; Kyle Holling
Other key lawyers:
Alison Chivers; Tom Calnan; Helen Fysh
Testimonials
‘Excellent team structure with varied skills.’
‘Detailed knowledge and experience of the core team that we access goes without saying; this is why we use T&H. However the ability to bring in resources of exceptional quality when extending beyond our core requirements is what sets T&H apart.’
Key clients
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust
Disabilities Trust
West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Swanton Care & Community
Rangeford Villages
Cygnet Healthcare Group
Stevenage Council and Vale of White Horse Council
Work highlights
- Advised on the proposed redevelopment of the St Pancras Hospital site in London to create a new centre of mental health excellence, including the Institute of Mental Health run by University College London.
- Advised on the acquisition, design, and construction of a new cancer research centre at Oxford Science Park for Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine.
VWV
The team at VWV has ‘invaluable insight‘ into corporate issues concerning GP surgeries, CQC-related matters, and PCN disputes. Ben Willis heads the team alongside ‘excellent litigator‘ Rachel Crean. Willis has ‘great knowledge‘ of advising GP surgeries and doctors on development and funding, while Crean primarily focuses on NHS GP partnership disputes and commercial disputes concerning commissioners. Associate Adam Siwak assists a number of GP federations and primary care providers with the establishment of primary care networks.
Practice head(s):
Ben Willis; Rachel Crean
Other key lawyers:
Oliver Pool; Adam Siwak
Testimonials
‘A strong reputation in this area, very knowledgeable in disputes and non-contentious issues. Excellent team with real expertise.’
‘Oliver Pool is a really superb individual. Top of the tree.’
‘Rachel Crean is a class act and an excellent litigator.’
‘Ben Willis is very good with clients, and has great knowledge.’
‘Rachel Crean and Ben Willis have strong experience in the sector and have invaluable insight.’
‘Rachel Crean is a really good, solid regulatory litigator, she knows her way round healthcare trouble spots.’
Weightmans LLP
The ‘excellent‘ team at Weightmans LLP represents a diverse client base of mental health trusts, hospital trusts, and healthcare professionals in inquiries, procurement-related matters, and data breach claims. Andrew Parsons has a great deal of experience in CQC regulation, often acting in Court of Protection cases concerning mental health law. With her vast expertise in clinical negligence, Rachel Kneale acts for a number of NHS trusts, while Julia Appleton handles a broad range of matters, ranging from consent, urgent admission, and treatment issues, to judicial reviews concerning healthcare bodies.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Parsons; Rachel Kneale
Other key lawyers:
Sejal Raja; Julia Appleton
Testimonials
‘Excellent defendant healthcare practice.’
‘They have a range of expert legal practitioners in most fields of practice. They offer a variety of services to the organisation.’
‘The team is very dedicated, they dedicate their competence and expertise without fail, they possess vast knowledge of the legal matters they represent.’
Key clients
NHS Resolution
Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
NHS England
NHS Blood & Transplant
IDH Dental
Dentex
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS FT
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Work highlights
- Acted for an NHS Trust who had care of a female patient with a history of mental health and substance misuse problems in an inquest.
- Advising NHS Eesolution on a claim that arose from events at the time of the claimant’s birth.