Alistair is the Managing Partner of the Leeds office and a Partner in the Healthcare and Regulatory team. He is a highly accomplished practitioner and advocate, representing healthcare professionals and providers in regulatory, disciplinary, coronial and criminal proceedings, investigations and prosecutions. He is frequently instructed by the major medical defence organisations (MDOs), healthcare providers and individual professionals in a wide variety of complex regulatory proceedings and misconduct hearings. Alistair advises on a range of matters including: Fitness to practise investigations and hearings at the General Medical Council (GMC) and Coroner’s inquests Trust disciplinary investigations and MHPS hearings Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions Performers List investigations and PLDP hearings Post Incident Procedures and Misconduct Hearings CQC reviews First tier tribunal hearings Health and Safety investigations and prosecutions Judicial Reviews Alistair is an experienced advocate regularly appearing before MPTS and GDC hearings, Coroners Inquests and Criminal Court hearings. He obtained his Higher Rights of Audience to represent clients in all courts in 2005.
Weightmans
Lawyers
Anna is a regulatory defence lawyer specialising in advising organisations on health and safety, food safety, trading standards and environmental law. She assists clients who are being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive, Local Authorities, Environment Agency and Police following serious incidents. She represents companies in enforcement notice appeals, fee for intervention disputes, environmental permitting issues and prosecutions of companies and individuals for a range of regulatory offences. Anna also provides advice and support for directors and senior managers on regulatory compliance. Anna assists clients in getting to grips with forthcoming changes to legislation and provides training on a wide variety of health and safety, food safety and environmental topics. Anna undertakes advocacy on behalf of defendants charged with regulatory offences in the criminal courts and a large part of her practice involves acting for Interested Persons at Inquests. Her inquest experience spans workplace fatalities, prison deaths, motor incidents and healthcare matters. She is described by the directories as having great experience and being tireless in her determination to achieve results for her clients. Anna is also recognised by Legal 500 for being 'patient, industrious and very hard working'. Anna qualified as a lawyer in 2003 and joined the regulatory team at Weightmans in 2019.
Anne Green is a Partner in the Healthcare department of the Leeds office. She has a vast range of experience (more than 20 years) in advising medical and dental practitioners in all areas of disciplinary and regulatory law including General Medical Council (GMC), General Dental Council (GDC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Trust/NHS England and coroners inquests. She advises doctors and dentists and provides representation and assistance in Trust and Local Area Team disciplinary hearings. She is frequently involved with advising doctors and dentists in respect of performance/capability cases and their liaison with their employers and NCAS. She is regularly instructed by the major medical defence organisations (MDOs) and is well known for her particular interest in dental disciplinary cases. She has been involved in many high profile cases. She also advises on appeals to the High Court (including judicial review).
Anthony is a commercial litigator who advises on a broad range of disputes across a variety of sectors. He is regularly instructed to act on disputes arising out of commercial contracts, distressed IT and outsourcing projects, financial disputes, shareholder disputes, cases involving the misuse of confidential information and restraint of trade, disputes in the education sector and also negligence claims, including professional negligence. Anthony has been involved in many high value and complex commercial cases, several of which have involved reported decisions. Anthony is also highly experienced in alternative dispute resolution and has represented clients at numerous successful mediations and other forms of structured settlement negotiations.
Anthony joined Weightmans as a senior conveyancer in June 2016 and has gathered 18 years residential conveyancing experience in the Yorkshire Region. He takes a particular interest in technological and legal developments in relation to conveyancing practice. In addition to a varied caseload of private client files, Anthony has also recently been engaged in the purchase of a portfolio of properties for the London Borough of Newham together with the Compulsory Purchase of a substantial number of Properties for the London Borough of Enfield.
Ben is head of service delivery for the employment, pensions and immigration team at Weightmans. Formerly a partner with Ford & Warren solicitors, Ben deals with all areas of employment law for a wide variety of clients in both public and private sectors. Ben is an advocate, regularly appearing in multi-day Employment Tribunal Hearings, and also conducts the advocacy in appeal cases at the Employment Appeal Tribunal. He has specialist knowledge from 20 years' experience in the transport sector, including road haulage, rail and bus passenger transport. He is particularly involved in the management of industrial disputes with clients across the transport sector. Ben also leads client management development seminars in the field of employee relations with the emphasis placed upon 'the right to manage'.
Ben has been a partner since 2003 and he specialises in all aspects of commercial property litigation, including LTA 1954 Act lease renewals, forfeiture claims, large dilapidations disputes, enforcement of tenants’ covenants, boundary disputes and Pubs Code arbitrations. Ben is our Retail and Leisure sector lead, heading a team with an impressively broad client list of household names and leading brands in these sectors, providing insights to our clients on all relevant legal developments as they arise. Ben is also particularly renowned in the licenced and leisure sector and currently acts for 3 of the UK’s large Pub Owning Businesses , as well as for other large UK landlords in all aspects of property litigation.
Blaise is a partner in Weightmans' large loss team in Leeds. He handles catastrophic injury and major property damage claims for insurers. He has 42 years' experience in all aspects of personal injury and insurance litigation. He has particular experience in head and spinal injury claims, fatal accidents and policy disputes and fire claims. Blaise was a Medical Working Party member for the IUA UK Bodily Injury Awards Study (2003). Blaise has handled fatal and catastrophic injury claims arising not only from accidents on the road, in the workplace and from defective premises and products, but also from hot air ballooning, gliding, paragliding, horse riding, a miniature train ride and 'welly-wanging'. He also handled multi-party litigation arising out of the Bradford fire, the loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise, the Hillsborough stadium disaster, the Myodil pharmaceutical claims and the Dingle Tunnel collapse. Other notable cases include litigation arising out of the finding of the Middleham Jewel and the fire which destroyed the Football Association’s former headquarters at Lancaster Gate. Other fire claims include sauna, gym, school, restaurant, supermarket, home and factory fires. Reported cases include: Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police [1992] 1 A.C 310 (liability for psychiatric injury) Crabtree v Wilson [1993] PIQR Q24, CA (assessing damages for dependency); and Blair-Ford v CRS Adventures [2012] EWHC 2360 (QB) (risk assessment, foreseeability, Compensation Act, section 1) Thewlis v Groupama [2012] EWHC 3 (TCC) ( CPR part 36) Whitehead v Bruce and others [2013] EWCA Civ 229 ( RTA apportionment of liability; Court of Appeal)
Formerly a partner of Ford & Warren solicitors, Charles has wide experience in all aspects of litigation including indemnity disputes, fraudulent claims and high value / catastrophic injury claims with a value up to £5 million. Under Blaise Smith he also has experience in the handling of claims of the utmost severity, valuing at £10 million+. His specialism is in road traffic/motor claims, particularly those involving brain injury and chronic pain/invisible injury. He also has experience in handling high-value EL and PL claims. In addition, he has developed a name for himself in the industry as a specialist in the defence of credit hire claims, and in 2000 was part of the team that took (successfully) leading case Ketley v Gilbert to the Court of Appeal.
David Lewis became the firm’s national Senior Partner in May 2018, having previously been head of the firm’s national Regulatory Department (2004-2018) and a Regional Office Head, first in Liverpool and later in Leeds (2007-2018). He had previously been the firm’s national Deputy Managing Partner (2000-2003) and its Regional Office managing Partner in Liverpool (2003-2007). After joining Weightmans as an Articled Clerk in 1985, David qualified in 1987 and was made a partner in 1992. After qualification he spent many years handling both civil and criminal litigation for insurers and their policyholders, before becoming a founder member of firm's dedicated regulatory services unit in 2004. David is best known for his work defending organisations and individuals facing investigation and prosecution for offences including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and breaches of health and safety legislation. The work often entails on-site investigations, PACE interviews and advocacy in Magistrates' and Coroners' Courts. In addition David has experience of environmental, trading standards, food safety and other regulatory enforcement work. David has extensive experience of inquest work, perhaps most notably in the healthcare sector. He is a veteran of hundreds of inquests, many involving juries and/or of a sensitive nature. David is an Assistant Coroner in two areas, and has held coronial office since 2010. Beyond Weightmans, David is currently a Trustee at Lighthouse Futures Trust, a dynamic, award-winning charity providing opportunities for young people with an autistic spectrum disorder and learning difficulties. In 2016 David completed two terms as a Trustee of NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), including two years as Vice-Chair and two years as Chair of the Strategy Committee. During his period in office the organisation earned the coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise – International Trade (2014). Between 2005-2011 David was a core tutor and module leader on Nottingham Law School's acclaimed 'MBA in Legal Practice' course.
David is the national lead for our ‘NHS Secondary Care Providers and Commissioners’ sector and he works with a wide range of NHS organisations, and independent health and care providers. Since 2010, David has focused upon advising health and social care organisations, charities and insurance clients, in connection with a wide range of care delivery matters, including inquests, investigations, mental capacity, Court of Protection proceedings, best interests, consent, confidentiality, CQC regulation, complaints, candour, commissioning responsibilities, safeguarding, information governance (GDPR, FOIA etc.) and treatment under the Mental Health Act. David is recognised for his practical and pragmatic approach, drawing upon his close working relationships with a variety of care providers, his secondment work within NHS Trusts, his experience working within insurance companies, and insights gained through his role as a Trustee within a Learning Disabilities charity. David helps health and care providers to ensure their safe and lawful delivery of care. He frequently represents organisations and their staff at inquests (direct instructions and insurance-funded). He has provided advice and support to professionals appearing before a variety of courts and tribunals and has provided guidance in relation to independent inquiries, high profile inquests and criminal investigations. David regularly delivers training courses to clients and their staff. Some recent topics include - Inquests, the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), Statement and report writing, and Applications in the Court of Protection.
Hannah qualified in 2003, she is a Partner in the local government team based in the Leeds office. Hannah has extensive experience of handling litigated personal injury claims with a strong focus on public sector clients, working primarily for local authorities and insurers. She handles claims across the wide spectrum of local authority risk. She has a specialism in handling stress bullying and harassment claims from initial notification through to trial/settlement. She successfully advised the defendant in the case of Akay v Newcastle University [2020] EWHC 1669 (QB) where the claim was struck out as an abuse of process in light of previous Employment Tribunal proceedings. She also has a keen interest in highways claims, she advised the local authority in the Court of Appeal case of Kim Ali v City of Bradford MDC [2010] EWCA Civ 1282 relating to deposits on the highway. Hannah is a regular speaker at external events such as ALARM and IOG meetings. She regularly writes and delivers a wide variety of training seminars and provides risk management advice to clients and has worked with a major insurer providing advice on claims handling strategy. She has worked closely with commercial and municipal insurers providing support in respect of a wide variety of casualty claims as well as directly supporting an insurer client’s claims handlers in respect of their pre-lit handling and professional development.
Helen qualified in 1993 and joined Weightmans in November 2016, heading up the rapidly expanding casualty and local government team in the Leeds office. In May 2018, Helen was appointed as the Regional Head of the Leeds office. With over 25 years' experience in dealing with the full spectrum of employers' and public liability claims, Helen has acted for numerous local authorities, insurers, Lloyd's syndicates and listed companies for a significant number of years. Her particular areas of expertise means she is adept at dealing with all types of claims and particularly those concerning social care, HRA, GDPR, stress, bullying and harassment. Helen has recently been re-appointed to the public sector focus team for FOIL given her experience and keen interest in the ever-changing local government landscape. Helen is well known within ALARM at a national and local level and regularly speaks at their forums and local conferences as well as delivering tailor made training on any chosen topic. As part of her role as the Regional Head, Helen leads on diversity and inclusion, is a mental health first aider and is actively involved in the entire spectrum of CSR activities from the Leeds office.
Kerry is a highly experienced associate specialising in employment law. Named as a recommended lawyer in this years’ Legal 500 for her “expertise in executive exits and tribunal cases”, Kerry undertakes contentious and non-contentious work, successfully defending complex Tribunal cases and supporting the firm’s corporate partners with matters involving TUPE transfers in the public and private sector. Kerry also advises on commercial and contractual disputes in the areas of employee confidential information, the enforcement of post termination restrictive covenants and directors’ duties and on matters relating to the Equality Act. As an accomplished and highly regarded public speaker, Kerry regularly presents on a wide range of employment related topics. Kerry has recently delivered seminars to: The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) University of Sunderland Academies Enterprise Trust Recent experience Advising on complex disputes involving allegations of whistleblowing, discrimination and TUPE Advising respondent clients through tribunal process, including successfully defending an unfair dismissal claim in which costs were awarded against the claimant Advising on a complex transfer of part of a business, involving approximately 1300 employees A High Court claim for a PLC client arising from circa 75 staff moving to a competitor and related confidentiality and other business protection concerns Providing advice regarding an invitation to tender for a local authority contract, involving TUPE, LGPS pensions, redundancy planning and the impact on the pricing of any bid Defending a County Court claim for a University in which a student alleged a failure to implement reasonable adjustments relating to a disability in breach of the Equality Act Advising on the acquisition of a campus from one higher education provider to another and on the TUPE consequences of the taking “in house” of the cleaning contract at that same campus.
Former partner of Ford & Warren solicitors, Lindsay has over 20 years' experience specialising in catastrophic injury claims (spinal cord injury and head injury), fatal accident claims, commercial loss claims and indemnity issues. Her areas of expertise include road traffic claims, employers' liability, public liability, indemnity and holiday claims. Reported cases include: Lee v Airtours 1 Lloyds Rep 683, Leesmith v Evans 2008 EWHC 134 QB, French v Groupama Insurance Company Limited 2011 EWCA Cov 1119 and Annison v Nolan 2012 EWCA Civ54.
Former partner of Ford &Warren solicitors, Mark has extensive experience of commercial property law, especially with regard to landlord and tenant issues, estate management and mortgages. Mark has worked in the real estate field for 35 years since qualification in 1992. Mark has overseen the disposal of over 300 properties for one client in the last two years. Mark also led the team that successfully tendered for the Environment Agency's regional property work at Ford&Warren solicitors. Mark has extensive experience of commercial property law, especially disposals and acquisitions, acting for lenders, estate management and landlord and tenant matters. He acts for owners, and investors who range from multi-nationals to smaller regional businesses. He has particular expertise in the licensed and leisure industry and acts for several of the major pubcos. Mark manages sophisticated reporting and recording systems which are tailored to the client's specific requirements.
Matthew is a partner and the national head of the Disputed Wills, Trusts and Estates team. He covers the Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Newcastle offices. He is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists and is recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading individual in this area of law. Matthew is experienced in disputes involving the administration of estates, will validity claims, proprietary estoppel, Inheritance Act claims and also disputes involving trustees, executors and beneficiaries. Matthew is regularly instructed by a number of well-known charities for his specialist knowledge in contentious trust and estate disputes and also receives instructions from solicitors, barristers and accountants. Matthew is regularly the lead solicitor on high profile cases that are reported in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Matthew is the co-author of the chapter on Inheritance Act claims in the 2020 Edition of the Resolution Family Law Handbook Reported cases Singh v Kaur and Others [2011] EWCA Civ 1554Nahajec v Fowle [2017] Free consultation We offer a free 30 minute consultation on all matters relating to disputed wills, trusts and estates. Book now
Matthew is a Principal Associate Solicitor in the Real Estate Team at Weightmans. Matthew specialises in property disposals and acquisitions as well as asset management, leaseholder enfranchisement and landlord and tenant matters. As a key member of the firm’s Primary Care Team, Matthew regularly acts for healthcare clients including GPs, dental practitioners, and pharmacists in connection with their premises needs. His experience in the primary care sector provides him with a detailed and empathic understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that the sector presents, and he works closely with his clients to achieve their goals. His experience and knowledge of the healthcare sector’s nuances as well as NHS service provision contracts enables him to offer strategic advice tailored to the needs of healthcare provider professionals and organisations. In particular, Matthew has advised on Premises Costs Directions, advice in relation to service charge and GP lease assignments, a large-scale transaction involving over 30 pharmacy practice disposal and acquisitions of dental practices on behalf of a large Dental corporate. Matthew also has expertise around leaseholder enfranchisement, having developed a significant niche practice at his former firm. Matthew has regularly lectured to fellow professionals and property owners on the issues arising out of residential lease extensions and enfranchisement. He is ALEP accredited and a member of a specialist surveyor's panel of solicitors. He regularly receives referrals and recommendations from surveyors, solicitors and other professionals, recognising his expertise in this specialist area of work, as well as being directly instructed by property owners, be they leaseholders or freeholders. But he prefers health and especially general practitioners.
Melanie Steed is a principal associate in the employment, pensions and immigration team, based in the Leeds office. She has acted for all kinds of employers during her career, from large PLCs and household name employers through to owner managed businesses and senior execs. She has particular expertise in the education sector, having joined Weightmans from her most recent role as a senior in-house lawyer at The University of Leeds where she worked hand in hand with her senior management, human resources and governance colleagues to manage a whole range of staff and institutional related issues. Melanie deals with all contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including employment tribunals, employee relations and transactional work. She has a strong reputation amongst her clients and peers for giving pragmatic and commercial advice in a way which is direct and accessible as well as for being easy to work alongside.
Nick is a principal associate in the employment, pensions and immigration team, based in the Leeds office. He is skilled at advising company clients, including transport providers, haulage companies, care providers, NHS Trusts, owner managed businesses and many well-known household names, and charitable organisations, on both contentious and non-contentious matters and is praised for providing "invaluable support". Nick regularly deals with Employment Tribunal litigation, including claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination, employment status, wages/national minimum wage, holiday pay, whistleblowing and TUPE. He has appeared in almost all of the Employment Tribunals in England and has also conducted his own advocacy in Scottish Tribunals and appeared in the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Nick provides strategic, tactical advice on various matters such as disciplinary and grievance issues, TUPE, industrial relations, equal opportunities, redundancy processes, restrictive covenants and business protection and contractual disputes. He has advised on large scale matters such as the successful implementation of changes to terms and conditions impacting upon over a workforce of over 1,500 and other complex issues involving high-profile, media sensitive material together with the removal of Company directors. Nick also provides bespoke client training including the delivery of in-house national training programmes. Nick also acts for medium to high net worth individuals, including negotiating settlement agreements with payments up to approximately £500,000.
Partner specializing in restructuring and insolvency work, acting for all types of insolvency office holders eg liquidators, administrators, receivers, trustees in bankruptcy and nominees / supervisors of voluntary arrangements. I also act for lenders on enforcements issues and for directors and distressed companies/ individuals. I also undertake complex debt recovery work, guarantee enforcement and directors disqualifications.Commercial dispute resolution.
Paul works in the Wills, Trusts and Estates team based in our Leeds office and deals with a variety of private client matters. Paul is a private client specialist with extensive experience dealing with business owning clients, professionals, landlords, agricultural clients and landed estates. Paul advises on all tax planning, Trusts, Wills as well as on the use of personal or Family Investment Companies and Partnerships, offering bespoke solutions where required. Paul provides advice in all areas of lifetime and post-death tax planning. He also brings to the team specialist experience of advising on the taxation of land and property, ranging from the sale of garden plots or whole farms to housebuilders, the use of promotion agreements, and the holding of rental property portfolios in trusts, partnerships and companies. Paul provides specialist trust advice including preparing bespoke provisions for new documents and in the interpretation of existing trust provisions, where there may be ambiguities, inconsistencies or historic errors. Paul also provides specialist expertise for complex Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax problems, such as on the use and applicability of the Residence Nil Rate Band or Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs’ Relief) as well as niche tax areas such as Stamp Duty Land Tax in relation to multiple dwellings, companies or partnerships. Paul also advises on the use of Lasting Powers of Attorney and Living Wills, and, where applicable, how disabled persons' trusts can be used as estate planning tools. Paul is a fully accredited member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
Ross is an experienced employment and immigration law practitioner with over 13 years’ experience. He provides day to day advice on the inter-relation between the two areas as well as supports applications to the Home Office related to sponsorship and his clients’ compliance with their ongoing duties. Ross works with a wide range of clients from the FTSE100 multinational to the single site UK business. He provides advice to Universities, goods and persons transport providers, NHS Trusts, engineering firms and retailers (as well as many more). He has supported many of his clients in relation to the immigration changes post-Brexit and worked with them to establish practical solutions where existing practices were no longer possible. He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) and the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA). Recent work highlights Successful granting of a Skilled Worker/ICT sponsor licence upon implementation of the new regime for a rapidly expanding beauty product retailer Advised on the use of visitor visas for permitted business activities to enable contract compliance in time-pressured industry Provided training to a UK University with overseas campuses on the new immigration system Advised another UK University in relation to the availability of the UK’s Foundation Training Programme for junior doctors when graduating from their overseas medical campus Provided advice on engaging both employees and workers in foreign jurisdictions.
Russell has a considerable experience in dealing with most aspects of commercial property work but has particular expertise in the areas of development in both the private and public sectors, investment, landlord and tenant and secured lending. Examples of matters which Russell has advised upon include: Acting for a national housebuilder in relation to strategic site assembly Acting for private developers in relation to numerous residential development sites Acting for a retailer in relation to management issues across multiple sites Advised investor in relation to ongoing management issues at prestigious central London mixed-use scheme. Advising landowners in relation to option, promotion and conditional contracts Advising a developer in relation to a mixed-use development in London, including ongoing advice on issues related to the funding agreement, agreed with a large pension fund. Acting for a government agency in relation to a national scheme the aim of which was to kick start the residential housing market. This involved reviewing stalled residential developments and advising on funding agreements Acting for the Homes and Communities Agency and Regional Development Agencies in relation to various development projects
Simon is a Partner in the Healthcare team. He represents doctors and dentists in criminal, disciplinary, regulatory and employment matters and inquests. He has many years’ experience advising and providing representation for clients. His caseload involves high profile, complex and often sensitive issue and includes inquests, GMC, GDC, LAT and MHPS disciplinary proceedings and in criminal cases. Simon has successfully advised healthcare professionals in their appeals to the High Court and the Court of Appeal, judicial review, criminal investigations through to trial, NHSE LAT and MHPS proceedings and at the GMC and GDC. He regularly appears as an advocate at the GMC/MPTS Interim Orders Tribunal, GDC IOC hearings, NHS Local Area Team disciplinary hearings, inquests, the Magistrates Court, other investigatory meetings including under Maintaining High Professional Standards in the NHS. He also represents clients at interviews and other hearings. Simon regularly provides seminars, workshops and training to healthcare professionals.
Steve is an experienced infrastructure specialist. His practice covers a range of sectors, with particular focus on PPP/PFI projects and rail. Steve joined Weightmans in 2018 after 17 years with DLA Piper. Steve is expert in the complex contracting and financing arrangements required for large scale infrastructure developments. He has substantial experience of guiding authorities and bidders through the often lengthy regulated procurement process necessary for such schemes, and has an excellent track record of delivery. He also advises on issues arising from operational schemes, such as dispute avoidance and resolution, major variations and early terminations, and has acted on refinancings of operational projects, including advising the Department for Transport on a £1.4bn refinancing of a high profile rolling stock PPP project, and the Project Company on a £400m refinancing of a hospital PFI in the north of England. He has worked on projects involving hospitals, schools, social housing, renewables, energy from waste facilities, highways and street lighting, and emergency services facilities, advising procuring authorities, bidding consortia and funders. Amongst other things, over a period of a decade he advised Leeds City Council on its PFI programme, supporting the Council in successfully delivering seven such schemes. In the rail sector he has advised on rolling stock procurements, franchise competitions and complex regulatory issues, for clients such as the Department for Transport, Alstom, Keolis, Nexus and Merseytravel.
Susan joined Weightmans in 2015 from a Chartered University where she was Director of Legal and Secretariat (2008 – 2015). As the manager of an in-house legal, student complaints, academic appeals and breaches and information governance teams, Susan was directly responsible for managing and advising on strategic legal, regulatory and compliance risk. Susan currently works with Higher Education institutions to provide legal advice and pragmatic support to University clients on student and staff related legal matters. Susan’s credentials in HE legal practice include: A track record in building collegiate relationships with University central services and in working directly with academic colleagues on legal issues; Wide experience of delivering collaborative projects on a range of University issues. Practical and proportionate adviser on solutions and approaches to legal issues that impact on HE services, organisational performance, external contractual relationships, research projects and University partnerships that have led to or may lead to legal dispute. Developing innovative proposals to support University colleagues to address legal challenges: e.g. legal processes for in-house teams; legal risk assessment; template documents, legal process review, developing and delivering bespoke training. Susan specialises in supporting HE managers on the implementation of solutions in response to legal issues and acting as an addition to the HEI’s team. Susan is the third member of the Weightmans HE team to be recruited from an in-house position.
Tom is a Partner in our Leeds office and acts for clients in relation to regulatory, disciplinary, criminal investigations/prosecutions and inquests. Tom has been representing police officers for more than 14 years. Predominantly instructed by the Police Federation of England and Wales, he has a reputation for acting for clients in high profile cases including allegations of gross negligence manslaughter, serious sexual offences and misconduct in public office, as well as matters arising from the Hillsborough stadium disaster. Tom has extensive experience in advising officers at the police station as well as in relation to criminal prosecutions, both in the Magistrates and Crown Courts and in the Court of Appeal. He is regularly instructed on complex death in custody cases involving jury inquests and also assists officers facing internal misconduct investigations and hearings. Tom has particular expertise advising in the aftermath of death or serious injury cases and post-incident procedures following fatal shootings, deaths in custody and pursuits. Tom regularly lectures and provides training on key topics for the Police Federation and organisations such as the Police Firearms Officers Association.