Alison Millar works in the human rights department at Leigh Day, where she is the Head of Abuse claims, leading a specialist team conducting claims for adult survivors of non-recent sexual or physical abuse in childhood and claims for abuse, mistreatment and neglect of vulnerable adults and children. Clients Alison and her team have represented include: A man who received over £500,000 compensation for sexual abuse by a teacher at his boarding school. People with learning disabilities who were treated at the private Hospital, Winterbourne View, which was closed following the revelation by BBC Panorama of systemic abuse of patients there by staff. Men who were sexually assaulted by a nurse in the course of routine sexual health checks at a sexual health clinic in Soho, London. A young girl who was repeatedly sexually assaulted by two classmates in the playground of her primary school. A group of police officers who were sexually assaulted by a police doctor in the course of pre-employment medical examinations. Over 30 former residents of Lambeth children’s homes in applications under the Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme. Alison and her team have represented a number of Core Participants and witnesses at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). In 2019, Alison provided a Rule 9 Inquiries Act statement for the IICSA Accountability and Reparations Investigation and was subsequently invited to give oral evidence at IICSA in 5 sessions over 3 days. Alison has regularly commented in the media. She and her team have strong links with charities and non-government organisations including Islington Survivors Network, NAPAC (the National Association for People Abused in Childhood), the Reducing Restrictive Intervention and Safeguarding Children campaign group and The Care Leavers Association.
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Andrew joined Leigh Day on qualification in 2014 and specialises in representing survivors of abuse in childhood, including in actions against local authorities, schools, a football club, cadets, and the Anglican church. Many of the cases involve complex arguments on issues such as limitation and negligence. He has also brought civil action against individual Defendants, with past success in securing a Freezing Injunction over a Defendant’s property. While at Leigh Day Andrew has represented a number of former residents of Swaylands School, Royal Alexandra and Albert School, and Grafton Close. He has also acted on behalf of several applicants to the Lambeth Redress Scheme, and, along with Alison Millar, he has represented a number of survivors of abuse in Islington’s children’s homes. Andrew has appeared in local and national press for comment on matters of child abuse. In recent years Andrew has developed a niche practice in representing children subjected to child-on-child abuse in schools and was the representative for “Bella”, a primary-school aged child subjected to assault by peers which was widely reported on settlement. Andrew has since commented in the media about child-on-child abuse, hosted an episode of the Leigh Day podcast on this issue, and in June 2021 he was a guest on Sky News podcast considering the issue of sexual harassment in schools. His experience in this area means that he has been invited to speak about this issue at a number of training events and conferences. In September 2021, Andrew was named Times Lawyer of the Week after he settled the case of another young child subjected to abuse by a classmate, in which it was argued that a failure to conduct a thorough investigation and / or put in place sufficient measures to prevent further sexual assault from taking place was negligent and a breach of his client’s human rights.
Andrew is a Partner within the serious injury team in our Manchester office. He specialises in cases involving catastrophic injuries such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, chronic pain and polytrauma, and acts on behalf of adults and children. Andrew is known for delivering clear legal advice in a way that clients understand. He goes above and beyond expectations to provide exceptional client care and demonstrates outstanding attention to detail. Case successes include seven-figure settlements in a complex brain injury case in which liability was contested and on behalf of a client who sustained significant injury to his leg resulting in an amputation, and substantial settlements for clients where there was an interplay between physical and psychological symptoms. Clients and others in the industry describe Andrew “the best personal injury lawyer I know…and determined not to leave any stone unturned in securing the best outcome for his client” and “an excellent lawyer” who is “skilled at working with complex challenging clients”.
Anna acts for individuals in matters across the health and community care sector and has experience in dealing with cases involving mental health, mental capacity, community care and public law. Anna has a particular interest in acting for people who lack capacity in proceedings in front of the Court of Protection. She is often instructed in complex matters involving important issues going to the heart of a person’s life, for example whether someone should have medical treatment, be deprived of their liberty and be able to enter into sexual relationships with others. Anna is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor as well as family members. Anna specialises in cases involving children and vulnerable adults. She is an Accredited Legal Representative authorised to represent adults who lack capacity directly in cases in the Court of Protection. Anna represents family members in inquest proceedings and has particular expertise in acting in cases involving the deaths of children or individuals who receiving treatment for mental health issues. Anna is regularly instructed in complex matters involving a number of state bodies. Anna also acts in claims for compensation arising from deaths where the state is involved. Complementing her expertise in acting for children and adults who cannot make decisions for themselves, Anna also has expertise in bringing claims under the Human Rights Act. Anna seeks redress for children who have not been safeguarded appropriately by authorities and were subject to neglect and abuse. She also acts for people who have been unlawfully deprived of their liberty in care homes and hospitals.
Benjamin is a partner in the human rights department at Leigh Day. He is the head of the prison team, where he exclusively acts for people who are in prison or who have been in prison. Benjamin’s work includes private law claims for compensation, public law claims for judicial review and inquests. His work can cover a broad range of litigation, but has a particular focus on discrimination, healthcare and inquests.
Although a specialist in all areas of discrimination, Chris has particular expertise in disability discrimination, equal pay and pensions. He also has substantial Appeal and High Court experience, as set out below. He also has a wealth of experience acting for claimants who are part of multi party and large group actions. Chris is also instructed by trade unions. He provides head office and high level advice to UNISON and the GMB and provides legal advice to both unions in relation to all areas including internal HR, membership, internal employment, the rule book, claims before the certification officer and advice on industrial action. Chris also provides advice to trade union members in complex cases. Chris also provides advice to the British Association of Journalists and its members. Chris is currently advising around 5000 claimants in a number of multi party and individual equal pay claims for both Trade Union and on a private basis. He brought the first equal pay claims in the civil courts, successfully in Abdulla v Birmingham City Council [2012] UKSC 47 on 24 October last year. The case was hailed as a landmark in equality law. It meant that equal pay cases can be heard in civil courts, with the result that individuals have up to six years after leaving an employer to start proceedings, rather than only six months in an employment tribunal. Leigh day’s employment team was nominated employment team of the year at the legal business awards as a result of the case and their on-going equal pay work. Chris is also instructed by the GMB in relation to the unlawful Blacklisting of construction workers by 42 of the UK’s leading construction companies, including Carillion, McAlpine and Tarmac. The unlawful action has led to the loss of livelihoods for thousands of workers and the damages may run into millions of pounds. The activities of the construction companies are currently being investigated by the Scottish Affairs Select Committee and receives constant media coverage. The claim on behalf of more than 100 individuals is being brought in the High Court (McPherson & Others v Carillion & Others (HQ13X02998 & Others)). Chris represents over a 100 fee paid judges in relation to their claims that they were denied access to the MOJ pension scheme on the basis they work part time (Miller & Others ET case Number 1700853/2007). Chris also advises fee paid judges in appeals to the EAT in relation to part time pensions claims brought by fee paid judges. The first appeals relate to medical members, arising from the ET judgment of Moultrie & Others v MOJ (claim no 2001158/2012) and the second an appeal is on behalf of 71 judges in Gibb & others v MOJ (UKEAT/PA/0142/14). Chris is also instructed by in excess of 100 full-time salaried judges including those from the High Court, Crown Courts and Employment Tribunals in a challenge to the Ministry of Justice’s discriminatory changes to judicial pensions which have a negative impact on a range of judges on grounds of age, gender and BME background. Chris has also represented the claimant in a number of leading employment cases while at Leigh Day, outside the discrimination field, including: (A) Bailey v R & R Plant Hire (Peterborough) Limited, [2012] EWCA Civ 410 – age discrimination; (B) Parekh v London Borough of Brent [2012] EWCA – case management orders; (C) Garratt v Mirror Group Newspapers Limited [2011] EWCA Civ 425 (breach of contract); (D) RSA Consulting v Evans [2010] EWCA Civ 866 (strike out applications); (E) Regent Security Services v Power [2007] EWCA Civ 1188 (TUPE).
Road traffic accidents abroad, aviation accidents, cruise accidents, workplace accidents abroad, group illness litigation, accidents in America, claims arising out of the Package Travel Regulations, fatal accidents, Inquests, consumer group actions.
Colin is a solicitor specialising in International Travel Litigation. He acts exclusively for Claimants and he has assisted many individuals who have sustained life-changing injuries following accidents abroad. Colin represents clients in a range of international personal injury cases including claims arising from accidents at work, accidents whilst on holiday and road traffic accidents. He has extensive experience dealing with complex jurisdiction and applicable law disputes. :
Daniel is a partner in the personal injury team at Leigh Day with over 18 years of experience specialising in this area. He specialises in industrial disease, particularly asbestos claims and jointly heads Leigh Day’s industrial disease team, which has grown organically over the last 10 years to cover 2 major departments in London and Manchester with a number of small satellite offices. The team now includes 8 partners, 2 associates and 2 assistant solicitors. The team is very well recognised and has a strong client base with new enquiries and referrals coming from charitable support groups, medical experts, specialist nurses and other lawyers. Daniel is accredited as an APIL fellow and also as an Asbestos Disease and Occupational Disease specialist. He has acted as co-ordinator of APIL’s Occupational Health Special Interest Group since 2014, having previously been elected as secretary of the group. He has advised APIL on various matters including the mesothelioma consultation and represented APIL intervening in a jurisdictional issue over pre-action non-party disclosure. He has acted in a number of high value asbestos cases achieving multi-million pounds settlements for victims. He has lectured extensively to other lawyers on asbestos litigation. He has particular experience in acting for overseas asbestos victims, notably Australian and has previously lectured in Australia on cross jurisdictional issues. Daniel also represents high end catastrophic personal injury claimants, including amputation, spinal injury and fatal accidents. He works with specialist charities like the Spinal Injuries Association and has acted for many spinal cord injury and amputation Claimants in multi-million pounds settlements including with periodical payment orders. He has represented families at inquests in complex fatal accidents, including for a young man crushed by a shop sign and a claim against two NHS Trusts for a young man asphyxiated by nitrous oxide. He has represented multiple victims injured in high profile catastrophes including the Buncefield Oil Depot explosion and the Vauxhall helicopter crash.
Dan Leader is a barrister and partner at Leigh Day with 20 years of litigation experience. He specialises in international human rights and environmental litigation with a particular focus on group actions on behalf of claimants from the developing world. He has extensive experience of cases against parent companies, complex group actions and mass tort claims, as well as cross-border disputes and jurisdictional issues. His recent cases include: Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2021] UKSC 3 Claims on behalf of two Nigerian communities arising from systemic oil pollution by Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary. The Supreme Court reaffirmed and expanded upon parent company liability principles previously set out in Vedanta. Lungowe v Vedanta plc [2019] UKSC 20 (with Martyn Day and Oliver Holland). Claims on behalf of 1,826 Zambian farmers arising out of damage to the environment caused by harmful discharges from the Konkola copper mine. In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court set out the jurisdictional principles in cross-border claims against parent companies. Rihan v EY Global Ltd [2020] EWHC 901 (QB). A successful international whistle-blowing claim on behalf of a former EY partner who refused to sanction a cover up of audit findings of money laundering and conflict minerals in the Dubai Gold trade. AAA v. Unilever plc [2018] EWCA Civ 1532. A case on behalf of 218 Kenyan tea workers who contend that Unilever failed to protect them from the foreseeable risk of ethnic violence in 2007. AAA v. Petra Diamonds [2021]. A parent company case on behalf of 97 Tanzanian clients arising out of serious human rights abuses on the Williamson Diamond Mine. AAA v. Camellia plc [2021]. A parent company case on behalf of 85 Kenyan clients arising out of human rights abuses at the hands of security guards employed by Camellia’s Kenyan subsidiary, Kakuzi. AAA v. Gemfields Ltd [2019]. A claim by 300 individuals for personal injury arising out of serious human rights abuses on and around a ruby mine in northern Mozambique. The Bodo Community v. Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd [2015] (with Martyn Day). A claim by a community of 30,000 Nigerians for compensation and remediation of their lands arising out of extensive oil spills in the Niger Delta which settled for £55m in 2015. Other cases include the “Mau Mau litigation” (Mutua v FCO [2013]) which resulted in reparations for 5,000 victims of colonial era torture and the Baha Mousa Inquiry [2010] into torture by the British Army in Iraq.
Emma has over 18 years’ experience advising and representing clients on the full spectrum of employment law issues for senior employees. She became a partner at Leigh Day in 2015 and is ranked in Band 2 in Chambers 2021 where she is described as “very technically knowledgeable, strategic, detailed and always a pleasure to work with." She was described in Chambers 2019 as having “an extensive profile of complex employment cases, particularly regarding discrimination” and as being “extremely astute, on the ball and well respected in the area.” The Legal 500 has described Emma as “unbelievably knowledgeable” and “an absolutely fantastic discrimination lawyer”. Specialisations include discrimination and equal pay. She adopts a pragmatic, client-focused approach and always strives to achieve the best outcome according to her clients’ goals, at the least cost (financial and emotional). She heads a strong team of experienced senior lawyers serving a broad spectrum of individual clients in a wide variety of often complex employment matters and sectors including financial, education, emergency services, health, leisure, pharmaceuticals and catering. Her team has a long track record of achieving successful outcomes for their clients including high-value settlements and positive tribunal decisions. Emma’s own current focus current is on group equal pay litigation as she leads a multiple claim against Morrisons supermarket assisted by a team of solicitors and paralegals. She is also invited to speak on equal pay among other topics, most recently by the ILS for whom she gave a talk titled Equal Pay - The Legal and Practical Challenges alongside Jane Fielding of Gowling WLG. Emma set up and chairs Leigh Day’s Disability & Allies Committee, which runs a network for staff with disabilities and health conditions and their allies. Earlier this year she chaired the Committee’s launch event Disability and Invisibility through the Prism of Coronavirus with a panel of distinguished speakers from the worlds of politics, academia and disability rights activism. In January 2021 Emma took on the role of joint head of the department with fellow partner Nigel Mackay.
Emmalene has been a Partner in the Clinical Negligence team since April 2015, having qualified and joined Leigh Day in 2004. She has over 16 years of experience practising in Clinical Negligence. Emmalene runs a mixed caseload of high value and complex cases. She has a special interest in obstetric and gynaecology cases arising from childbirth, particularly cases of cerebral palsy and brain injury suffered at birth. She also acts for mothers who have suffered third and fourth degree tears, and vaginal and rectal prolapse as a result of childbirth. She regularly acts for parents of newborn babies who have suffered serious injuries arising out of Group B Strep infection and works alongside the charity, Group B Strep Support.
Partner specialising in personal injury, mesothelioma/asbestos, work accidents and road traffic accidents. Harminder has taken numerous cases to trial, the longest one involving a six-week trial relating to a complex multi-party action concerning allegations of fumes and dust exposure in the glass industry. She has a formidable reputation as one of the country’s leading litigators. She has successfully given evidence in court after being cross-examined by the defendant. She has had several cases reported due to being ground-breaking, such as: The Queen (oao Tony Whitston, Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK) v Secretary of State for Justice and Association of British Insurers [2014] EWHC 3044 (Admin); judicial Review regarding LASPO; Coventry and Others (Respondents) v Lawrence and Another (appellant) [2012] EWCA Civ 26 (intervention on behalf of the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK to prevent victims from paying success fees and ATE premiums); Meenakchi Ghoorah (Widow and Administratrix in the Estate of Gooroochandra Ghoorah deceased) v West Essex Clinical Commissing Group & 4 Others [2014] (after a four day trial, recovered the highest amount for damages for a mesothelioma victim in the sum of £87,500 - Harminder beat her own previous records as set in the cases of Najib and Beesley); Zambarda v Shipbreaking (Queenborough) Limited [2013] EWHC 2263 (QB) (significant win after a 3 day trial in the High Court); Baker v Tate & Lyle PLC Sept 2012 Westlaw & Lawtel (Harminder was instructed by a mesothelioma victim who was unable to trace his former employer/their insurers, she instead pursued the owner of the factory where the claimant was sent to work. At a contested show cause hearing before Master Whitaker, she successfully contended that the Asbestos Industry Regulations 1931 and the Factories Act 1961 both imposed specific duties on occupiers and not just employers and that those duties expressly tended to all the persons working at the relevant factory. Baker is understood to be the first judgment on occupiers’ liability in an asbestos disease case); Mohammed Najib v John Laing Plc [2011] EWHC 1016(QB) (two day trial in the High Court. The judge made the highest award for general damages at that time for a mesothelioma victim and uniquely awarded a sum for alternative treatment); Jacqueline Sloan v Halsen Insulation & Engineering Company Ltd (approved QBD) Senior Master 12/11/2009 (this is the first case in which periodical payments have been awarded to the dependant in a fatal case); Jane Beesley (widow and executrix of the estate of John Lambie deceased) v New Century Group Ltd [2008] EWHC 3033(QB) (the highest care award to date and, at that time, the highest award for general damages for the widow of an asbestos victim).
Jill specialises in product liability cases, international claims and multi-party actions. Jill has significant experience bringing product liability actions, having worked on the oral contraceptive pill litigation, the DePuy Hylamer group litigation, and the dopamine agonist litigation, as well as successfully settling a number of individual product liability claims. Jill has been involved with a number of Leigh Day’s high profile international group claims, including claims in Kenya, the Ivory Coast and Swaziland. More recently, she successfully represented a group of companies who suffered property damage and serious business interruption following the Buncefield Oil Explosion. Jill currently leads a team of solicitors and paralegals dealing with a wide variety of consumer claims and product liability matters, as well as claims arising out of people’s involvement in clinical trials. Jill’s metal on metal hip claim cases include those relating to the Biomet M2a-38 and Biomet M2a-Magnum, Corin Cormet, and Wright Conserve devices. She also represents people who have been implanted with certain models of Medtronic Sprint Fidelis and St Jude Medical Riata heart defibrillator leads. Jill also acts for a group of women who have suffered adverse health and psychological effects following their implantation with TVT, vaginal slings and surgical mesh products for stress urinary incontinence and prolapse. Jill represents a number of families against such well-known manufacturers as Beko, Bosch and Hotpoint in inquests and/or litigation arising out of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning linked to recalled consumer goods. Jill is an accredited member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), a member of the Pan European Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL), and is the Co-ordinator of APIL’s Multi-Party Special Interest Group. She became a partner of the firm in April 2011.
Joseph is an Associate Solicitor in the International Travel Personal Injury team at Leigh Day, specialising in accidents occurring outside of England and Wales resulting in serious injuries. Joseph acts for claimants only, working with them to ensure access to rehabilitation in the assistance in recovery from life-changing injuries as well as funding for future medical treatments. Joseph has experience in all types of cross border litigation including complex issues of jurisdiction & applicable law in road traffic accidents and workplace accidents abroad as well as Montreal/Athens/Berne Convention matters. Joseph also has years of experience in claims under the Package Travel Regulations and the litigation of accidents in the Federal & State jurisdictions of the USA. .
Principal lawyer Julia Reynolds manages the catastrophic injury clinical negligence team in Wales. Based in Cardiff, her team consists of seven skilled practitioners including two principal lawyers (partner equivalent), a senior associate, two qualified solicitors, and two paralegals. With a particular interest in obstetric cases and those involving paediatric brain damage, Julia has carved out a niche practice. Her busy case load predominately centres around paediatric brain damage arising from cerebral palsy, a delay in diagnosis, and negligent treatment cases. She also handles spinal cord injuries, amputations, and fatalities. A very experienced senior litigator, she is used to carrying a heavy case load alongside managing a large, dedicated and caring team. Renowned for her determination, Julia is not afraid to take on difficult cases and fight for justice on behalf of her clients and is regularly sought out with direct approaches from prospective clients, wishing to retain her services. A bright, thoughtful, and empathetic lawyer that works hard to serve her clients, she has a wide network of contacts in the market that help to ensure that her clients get the very best advice and care. In addition to her management duties and case work, Julia is very active in the local community. She lectures to the local university law students about entering the profession, supports junior members of the team and encourages them to develop relationships within the market. She is a member of the Cardiff and District Law Society Council and has a particular interest in supporting charities in her sector working regularly with charities that support children with cerebral palsy, children with acquired brain injuries and adults with acquired brain injuries
Partner in the asbestos department and manages the firm’s Liverpool office. Has specialised in asbestos disease claims for over 25 years. Acts for claimants in the UK and has a specialist international practice acting for UK expats in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Malta, etc. He has worked on several of the leading asbestos test cases including:- Fairchild v Glenhaven Funeral Services Limited and Others [2002] UKHL 22. Barker v Corus UK Plc [2006] UKHL 20. Ballantine v Newalls Insulation Co. Ltd, CA June 2000. Rice and Thompson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry [2007] EWCA Civ 289. He also acted in:- Dowdall v William Kenyon & Sons and 2 others [2014] EWHC 2822 – recovery of damages for a client with mesothelioma who had settled his asbestosis claim on a full and final basis. Successfully overcame the defendants’ arguments on abuse of process, estoppel and limitation (obtaining s.33 discretion despite the case being 13 years out of time). Sturdy v James Marmon & Sons, Lawtel, 26/11/2008 – successfully opposed the Defendant’s attempt to reduce damages for PSLA in a mesothelioma claim to below recommended JC guidelines. In the Matter of Eagle Star Insurance Company Limited [2006] EWHC 1850 (Ch) – acted for a representative asbestos disease sufferer and intervened on behalf of asbestos victims in relation to proposals by Zurich to re-structure their EL insurance arrangements. Hutchings v Invista Holdings (2009), unreported, Liverpool County Court – successful recovery of relatives’ flight costs from Australia to the UK to visit their father with mesothelioma. Has recovered substantial damages for several mesothelioma sufferers who incurred private medical costs for immunotherapy and other treatments. Recently settled a group claim for several Maltese mesothelioma victims against the MOD.
Liana is a senior associate in the employment department at Leigh Day. Liana specialises in representing claimants in employment and discrimination disputes often in complex, multi-party actions. Liana often acts for claimants working in the gig economy. Liana has particular expertise in modern slavery and trafficking cases and assists clients to obtain compensation for unlawful treatment from their employers and / or traffickers. Liana is a frequent public speaker and is regularly asked to provide comment to the media on issues relating to modern slavery.
Maria has extensive clinical negligence experience and manages a wide range of cases. Maria is extremely dedicated and tenacious in her approach to exploring the core issues of a case and to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients. She is meticulous in the organisation and running of cases. Maria’s commitment to claimant clinical negligence work derives from a passion to improve healthcare by identifying where changes can be made to avoid future errors and to ensure that patients who have been harmed are properly compensated for their injuries. Maria has won plaudits in claims involving the delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, retinopathy of prematurity and maternal birth injuries such as perineal tears as well as other gynaecological injuries. Maria also specialises in cases for children who have suffered brain damage, adult brain injury, spinal injury and cardiac cases. Maria consistently achieves exceptionally high awards in claims where traditionally the damages can be quite low, such as in claims involving stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Maria also represents parents at the inquest into the death of their child as well as assisting families who have suffered the death of an adult family member. In addition to this, Maria’s cases also include best interest cases and claims for compensation by patients who have suffered abuse by healthcare professionals. Maria’s recent cases include: the settlement of a brain injury case for a seven figure lump sum and periodical payments for life for an adult man who has been left with permanent brain damage and disabilities as a result of a catastrophic mid-brain haemorrhage due to a failure to carry out a cervical blood patch earlier. Mr X suffered a catastrophic mid-brain haemorrhage as a result of the hospital’s negligence, leaving him with permanent brain damage and disabilities. Mr X is married with 3 adult children; Six figure compensation for the parents of a baby who died 8 hours after delivery as a result of a failure to deliver the baby sooner. Ms X had an uncomplicated pregnancy. She gave birth to a baby girl who died 8 hours after her delivery. There were various failures by the medical staff at the hospital during the labour, including failures to carry out continuous CTG monitoring and a delay in seeking a consultant review. A decision was made to proceed to a caesarean section but there was a delay in carrying this out. On delivery, the baby was noted to be in a poor condition with no spontaneous respiratory effort, poor oxygen saturations and her heart rate was noted to be less than 60bpm. She was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit where she died approximately 8 hours later; £480,000 settlement for the young son of a woman who died after a lengthy delay in diagnosing her breast cancer following an administrative error made by her GP. The case proceeded to trial. The GP admitted that he had been negligent in that Ms X’s breast cancer should have been diagnosed earlier, but disputed that with earlier treatment she would have been cured. Other cases include: a substantial six figure sum for a claim relating to the failure to diagnose and treat cellulitis promptly, which led to renal failure, septicaemia and the development of osteomyelitis; a substantial six figure sum settlement for the failure to diagnose and treat a cerebral aneurysm. As a result, Maria’s client’s husband suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage and died; the achievement of a six-figure settlement on behalf of a widow for the death of her husband at 47, leaving her with 4 children. The case concerned the failure to investigate a cardiac arrhythmia thoroughly; compensation for the husband of a woman whose breast cancer diagnosis was delayed by more than one year, leading to her premature death; significant compensation for a young woman who suffered a third degree tear when giving birth. The hospital failed to identify that she had suffered a third degree perineal tear and to carry out an appropriate repair; damages for a client whose full term baby girl was stillborn at the Bloomsbury Birthing Centre (UCH) as a result of the failure to identify signs of fetal distress and to expedite the delivery of the baby; a significant six figure sum for the failure by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to identify that Maria’s client was pregnant during a gynaecological procedure which led to the stillbirth of the baby; compensation for a woman who was fitted with a contraceptive coil when she was in fact 21 weeks pregnant unbeknownst to her. The GP failed to recognise that her uterus was enlarged and palpable. The baby died soon after delivery following a premature labour and delivery; damages for the parents whose baby died shortly after delivery at North Middlesex Hospital as a result of the hospital’s failure to manage the second stage of labour and to perform an instrumental delivery/caesarean section earlier.
Matthew is an experienced claimant clinical negligence solicitor, having specialised in this field since qualification in 2016. Prior to this he gained a Neuroscience degree from Bristol University before studying post-graduate law and moving to Leigh Day in 2012. Matthew has experience across a wide variety of clinical negligence cases including birth injury claims, orthopaedic claims, ophthalmic claims and claims as a result of a delay in diagnosis of cancer and other serious illnesses. He also regularly represents families at inquests where relatives have died as a result of negligent medical care. Matthew is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
Michael is a litigation specialist, focusing on discrimination and employment rights for individuals. He has unparalleled experience in the conduct of group litigation, and his cases are frequently in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He has successfully brought claims against central government departments, banks and financial institutions, large multinationals, NHS bodies, universities, local authorities, NGOs and several national newspapers. Michael advises individuals in a wide range of workplace disputes, and discrimination matters in all sectors. Previous cases include the blacklisting litigation on behalf of GMB members in the High Court, and he currently represents tens of thousands of workers in an equal pay claim against Asda (believed to be the largest private sector equal pay claim).
Michelle Victor, partner: co-ordinator of APIL’s product liability special interest group. Michelle specialises in product liability cases and multi-party actions. Michelle has experience bringing product liability actions and has successfully settled a number of individual product liability claims. Michelle has particular expertise in claims involving defective artificial hip components (DePuy ASR Group Litigation). She supervises a team acting for over 550 clients who were implanted with the now recalled DePuy ASR metal on metal hip components.Michelle also has specialist expertise in food poisoning claims and has successfully pursued legal action against tour operators Thompson Holidays, as well as claims that have arisen out of what is believed to be one of the UK’s largest outbreaks of food poisoning. Michelle currently acts for the family of three young children who contracted foodborne botulism, sustaining significant injuries. Michelle also acts for a number of women who suffered a severe adverse reaction after using hair dye products containing para-phenlenediamine (PPD) and various cosmetic claims.
Mike is a Partner in the Employment Department at Leigh Day. Mike deals with all aspects of employment and discrimination law. He represents employees and senior executives in claims before the Employment Tribunal and on appeal. As well as his discrimination litigation work, Mike also advises on contracts, restrictive covenants and bonus issues. Mike has expertise in advising senior executives, with a focus on discrimination claims for those working in the legal sector and banking and finance.
Partner in the international and group claims department. Specialist area of practice: representing international claimants in multi-party litigation that have been the victims of sexual abuse. Currently bringing a claim against British Airways who it is alleged are vicariously liable for the actions of one of their late pilots who is alleged to have sexually abused over 35 children in Africa whilst he was flying to and from Kenya and Uganda. Nichola is also instructed in multi-party sexual abuse litigation against both religious organisations and individuals. Prior to specialising in multi-party sexual abuse litigation, Nichola was involved in several of the firm’s international group claims including in a high profile group action against the oil trading company Trafigura on behalf of almost 30,000 residents of the Cote d’Ivoire in what is thought to be the largest foreign claimant group action in British legal history, a historic case against the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on behalf of the Mau Mau who suffered torture at the hands of the British and involvement in a large group litigation against Shell on behalf of the Ogoni people in the Niger Delta whose land had been severely polluted following two large oil spills.
Nick specialises in employment and discrimination law. His work encompasses pre-claim advice to litigation at an appeals level. Nick has reputation of being able to achieve substantial settlements for clients, often without the need to commence litigation or attend trial. He has particular expertise in disability discrimination cases (including a successful ‘landmark’ reasonable adjustments claim), sex, sexual orientation and age discrimination cases, whistleblowing, complex unfair dismissal cases, and has acted in a number of extremely sensitive, high profile cases involving sexual harassment. He regularly advises on individual equal pay cases and reorganisations and redundancies. Nick also assists senior executives in high value negotiated exits and contractual disputes, most notably the enforcement of restrictive covenants. Nick appeared before the Women and Equalities Select Committee to give evidence on how effective the EHRC is in the enforcement of the Equality Act.
Nigel is a partner and joint head of the Employment Department at Leigh Day. Nigel deals with all aspects of employment and discrimination law. He represents employees, senior executives and trade union clients in claims before the Employment Tribunal all the way up to the Supreme Court. Nigel also advises on contracts, restrictive covenants and bonus issues. Nigel has particular expertise in advising senior directors and executives, as well as those working in the gig economy. Nigel is a frequent public speaker on employment law issues and is regularly asked to provide comment to the media.
Olive has been considered one of the leading lawyers in the field of clinical negligence for many years. She is a former registered nurse who acts on behalf of claimants in a wide variety of complex cases. She has recovered multi-million pound settlements for clients who have suffered brain damage; cerebral palsy; spinal cord injury, and neurological injury as a result of lithium and gentamicin toxicity. Olive has also recovered substantial damages for clients who have suffered endocarditis, and clients who have suffered 3rd and 4th degree tears. Olive was the solicitor instructed for the claimant in Hassell v Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust on the issue of informed consent and recovered in excess of £4.4 million for her client.
Specialises in international claims, group actions and product liability. Pioneered the firm’s ground-breaking cases against UK multinationals: Connelly v RTZ (Namibian uranium miner); Ngcobo & Sithole & Others v Thor Chemicals (South African mercury poisoning victims); Lubbe & others v Cape PLC (7,500 South African asbestos victims). Between 2004 and 2008 he worked with Slater & Gordon in Melbourne, where he initiated the VIOXX class action litigation against Merck. In 2008 he returned to Leigh Day in London where ran the Peruvian alleged torture victims’ litigation against Monterrico Metals, which involved obtaining a worldwide freezing injunction before the case settled (without admission of liability) in July 2011. In September 2013, working in conjunction with the South African Legal Resources Centre, he obtained a landmark settlement of 23 test cases against Anglo-American South Africa. He is currently running a mass tort action against Anglo American South Africa. He is also acting for 11 Tanzanian villagers in a claim against African Barrick Gold plc. He was the 2002 winner of the Liberty/Justice Human Rights Lawyer of the Year Award.
Sally-Jean is a partner in Leigh Day's clinical negligence department. She has over 25 years experience working exclusively for claimants in clinical negligence cases. Her cases include those resulting in brain damage, severe disabilities or death in adults and children arising from negligent midwifery and obstetric care, negligent paediatric, surgical, A&E care, GP practice and in cases of delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancer. She is also regularly involved in inquests and undertakes post-settlement work. Specific recent successes include large settlements in cases of cerebral palsy, delay in diagnosis of cancers and of tuberculosis, misdiagnosis of infection and negligent anaesthetic treatment.
Sanja deals with a wide range of cases involving medical care provided to patients at NHS and private hospitals, by private doctors and GPs, resulting in serious injury or death. Sanja brings claims on behalf of adults, children and bereaved families. Sanja has a particular interest in obstetrics and gynaecology and issues affecting women's health. She has significant experience of acting for women who have been injured during childbirth and who have suffered perineal tears (3rd and 4th degree tears). She also acts for children who have sustained brain injuries at or after birth, including those who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and Erb's palsy Sanja represents parents who have suffered the loss of a baby because of stillbirth or neo-natal death. Sanja’s other particular interest is amputation, an area in which she has a growing practice. Sanja also specialises in fatal cases, and has considerable experience in bringing claims arising from the death of a loved one. She represents and supports bereaved families through the process of a Coroner’s Inquest. Legal expertise Cases Sanja has successfully concluded include: Obtaining a six figure settlement in a claim brought by a woman who sustained life-changing injuries during the birth of her child. Securing Judgment in favour of a child who sustained a brain injury resulting in cerebral palsy during a complex delivery. Settling a claim brought by a family of a woman who died during her pregnancy after a negligent failure to diagnose and treat pre-eclampsia at a London Hospital. Securing a six figure settlement for a woman who sustained injuries in childbirth resulting in a recto-vaginal fistula. Significant six-figure compensation for the children of a woman who died following negligent treatment of a haematological condition. Obtaining compensation for the family of a young woman who died from hyponatraemia. Obtaining a six figure settlement for a woman who sustained significant psychiatric injuries from her experiences of negligent failure to diagnose post-operative complications of cholecystectomy. Settling a claim arising from a stillbirth. Settling a claim for a six-figure sum for a woman who suffered facial disfigurement after a delay in diagnosing a sarcoma. Obtaining significant compensation for a man who sustained neurological injuries as a consequence of anaesthetic and surgical negligence. Obtaining compensation for the adult children of a woman who died as a result of negligent failure to diagnose and treat thyrotoxicosis. Securing settlement for a widow and child of a man who died as a result of negligent failure to diagnose and treat post-operative complications of bowel surgery at King’s College Hospital. Settling a claim for a partner of a woman who died after a negligent failure to diagnose and treat a psoas abscess at Queen’s Hospital. Sanja in the news It's time to modernise the Fatal Accidents Act Solicitors Journal 19.9.l7 Sanja was asked to speak on Al Jazeera News on 6.3.16 when she commented on questions over Ireland's compensation for symphysiotomy victims. The first act of a costs saga Solicitors Journal 10.8.15
Sarah practises exclusively in the area of claimant clinical negligence work. Her cases largely arise from severe neurological injury, birth injury and death. She has a particular interest in claims involving cardiac and renal transplantation, maternal death during or shortly after childbirth, and antenatal screening failures. She acted successfully for several of the bereaved families following the run of maternal deaths at Northwick Park Hospital. She also acts for claimants who have suffered severe neurological damage after inappropriate neurosurgical intervention. Sarah’s reported case of Birch v University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [2008] EWHC 2237, remains a leading case about obtaining informed consent from a patient. Her interest in informed consent cases continues and she is currently acting for both the living donor and the widow of a diabetic patient who underwent a successful kidney transplant at a leading transplant unit at a time when he had an active infection in his foot, only to result in his death a few weeks later from overwhelming infection. In consenting to undergo surgery, neither the donor nor the recipient of the kidney were warned of the significantly increased risks associated with proceeding with the transplant, which would require immuno-suppression, in the presence of on-going infection.
Sarah is a solicitor in the Human Rights Department at Leigh Day specialising in representing clients in best interests and deprivation of liberty cases, acting in the Court of Protection on issues including withdrawal of treatment, choice of treatment, residence, contact and care for people who do not have capacity to decide on those issues for themselves. Sarah also acts in Human Rights Act damages and negligence claims, inquests and public inquiries, being part of a team representing over 300 core participants in the Infected Blood Public Inquiry over the last five years.
Sean is a partner in the human rights department at Leigh Day. He acts for individuals and campaign groups on a wide range of human rights issues including privacy and data breach claims, prisoner rights, environmental, discrimination and information law matters.
Shazia is a partner in the International and UK Group Litigation department, specialising in large-scale product liability litigation. She is a litigator with over 10 years’ experience and has particular expertise in consumer group actions. Shazia was one of the lead partners on the Volkswagen NOx Emissions Group Litigation, and is currently leading a second group action against the Volkswagen Group.
Steven has been acting for victims of asbestos exposure since 2006. He is regularly instructed by sufferers in the Greater Manchester area, but also works for individuals across the country. Steven acts exclusively for asbestos sufferers. He has specialist in-depth knowledge of those firms in the industrial north of England who caused employees to be exposed to asbestos. This knowledge has helped Steven to successfully conclude asbestos related claims for many sufferers over the last two decades. Steven primarily represents people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace. As a result of this exposure many individuals develop asbestos related lung conditions such as diffuse pleural thickening, asbestosis, asbestos related lung cancer or mesothelioma. Steven recovers compensation for individuals and their relatives as a result of exposure to asbestos in a variety of industries. Since its inception in 2007 Steven has successfully pursued claims for compensation against the T&N Asbestos Trust, the Trust set up to compensate former employees of the Turner & Newall group of companies. He sits on the Trustee Advisory Committee which represents the best interests of Trust claimants generally. Steven has successfully pursued compensation for those who have been exposed to asbestos in less traditional occupations such as publicans, shop workers, and teachers who were exposed to asbestos at work. He has also acted for asbestos sufferers who contracted asbestos related illnesses such as mesothelioma after coming into contact with asbestos from family members who brought dust home on contaminated work clothes. Steven represents victims with life changing diseases. He acts quickly in matters where victims have short life expectancies. These claims, by their very nature, are complex and are of significant value.
Tina has over 13 years’ experience in litigation and is recognised by her peers as a leading lawyer in the area of multi-party actions and product liability, particularly medical device claims. Tina is currently representing a group of individuals in claims relating to failed Advanced Bionics cochlear implants. Tina also specialises in representing consumers who have suffered injuries from the use of cosmetic products and cosmetic procedures. Past successes include claims for failed gastric bands, anaphylaxis reactions to PPD in hair dye, Methylisothiazolinone (MI) claims and LED/Laser treatment claims. These include settlements negotiated with various cosmetic clinics, salons and manufacturers including cosmetic giant Clarins and the global pharmaceutical company Allergan. Tina previously co-managed a team of lawyers in the high profile ASR hip litigation representing over 600 claimants against DePuy International Limited where many suffered permanent, life changing disabilities. She represented individual Claimants in the group with the most complex claims. Tina is experienced in Alternative Dispute Resolution and is a specialist negotiator; she always seeks to go the extra mile for her clients to recover the maximum damages. As an advocate for promoting consumer safety, she regularly comments on the requirement for greater regulation and transparency particularly in the cosmetic industry. Tina has been quoted in both national and local press on a variety of consumer law related issues.
Vijay is a partner specialising in industrial disease (particularly mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses) and other complex injury cases including matters involving child injury and public accidents. He has carved out a reputation as a successful litigator and is best known for having acted for the Claimant in Chandler v Cape plc [2012] EWCA 525 CA, a landmark case which set a new precedent in tort and company law for establishing liability against parent companies despite the limited liability principle. He has negotiated various six figure settlements both in industrial and complex injury claims. He represents Claimants both here and overseas which includes securing funding for immunotherapy treatment costs for various Australian mesothelioma sufferers. He is accredited as a Senior Litigator of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) as well as holding specialist accreditation for Occupational and Asbestos Disease claims. He also acts as an APIL assessor for other solicitors seeking similar accreditation. Vijay is knowledgeable on the current state of the law and has written and contributed to various legal journals including The Lawyer, The New Law Journal, The Journal of Personal Injury and APIL’s PI Focus magazine. He has been writing the quarterly personal injury update for the Solicitors Journal for 10 years since August 2007 and now writes these updates for the New Law Journal. He has also given numerous talks at universities and to specialist hospital teams. Previously, he took part in a discussion in the House of Lords on reforming the law of limited liability. In 2014, he was awarded the title Lawyer of the Year in Industrial Disease by Corporate LiveWire magazine.
Yvonne is an associate solicitor in the Human Rights department specialising in actions against the Police. Yvonne acts in a wide range of claims against the police and other public bodies for false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office and claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. Yvonne acts for clients in private law claims for compensation and public law challenges for judicial review. Yvonne also represents families at inquests. Yvonne has acted in claims for unlawful arrest and detention on the grounds of race and/or religious discrimination. Yvonne successfully obtained compensation from the Police for a failure to recognise an individual as a victim of trafficking. Yvonne acted for the applicant in R (on the application of Silvera) v HM Senior Coroner for Oxfordshire successfully challenging the decision of a Coroner not to resume an inquest. Yvonne is recognised in the Legal 500 for fighting ‘exceptionally hard’ for her clients
Zoë is a highly experienced and accomplished partner at Leigh Day, leading the competition law practice and specialising in leading high-value, opt-out collective actions in the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT). Zoë champions the rights of consumers, investors, and other stakeholders to hold firms accountable for breaking competition rules. Zoë is leading the prominent collective action claims against the six largest water companies for allegedly mis-reporting the number of spills of sewage. Zoë represents the proposed class representative acting on behalf of over 20 million customers for over £800m in damages. This case will be the first ‘environmental’ competition claim in the CAT. Prior to joining Leigh Day, Zoë launched multi-million-pound opt-out collective actions, represented vehicle owners in diesel emission group claims, and advised multinational corporations facing billion-dollar competition claims. She also has extensive experience navigating regulatory investigations in the financial sector and developing litigation strategies for cases involving Foreign Exchange, SSA bonds, and LIBOR rate setting. She is a featured expert on Lexology and winner of the 2024 Client Choice award, Competition - Plaintiff.