Weightmans LLP

Roger qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 and joined Weightmans in March 2018 as an associate in the casualty team in Birmingham. He was made Principal Associate in 2019.

Roger has over 17 years’ experience acting for clients in the public sector defending a broad range of liability claims. He has an extensive range of experience dealing with public and employers’ liability claims, including common law claims for nuisance; claims relating to the Highway; statutory compensation claims under s209 and Schedule 12 of the Water Industry Act, and New Roads and Street Works Act; fatal accidents, workplace injuries and stress claims, accidents at schools and claims arising from the duty as occupiers.

Roger has a particular expertise in environmental claims and dealing with claims involving damage to property as a result of subsidence caused by tree root encroachment, other vegetation and the escape of clean water and waste from statutory undertakers assets; claims due to natural flooding and fire; and claims for nuisance involving Japanese knotweed and other invasive species. Roger acted for the successful party in the Court of Appeal case of Vernon Knight Associates v Cornwall Council 2013 involving an incident of highway flooding causing property damage and has experience of dealing with and managing property damage claims in excess of £4m.

As part of his work, Roger is experienced in drafting pleadings and advices; pursuing and dealing with injunctions and statutory notices; participating and advising in ADR, including mediation and JSMs; advocacy; and pursuing cases to trial and on appeal where appropriate. Roger has also spoken at multiple seminars/webinars and delivered training both internally and externally.

Examples of experience/expertise/notable cases

• Notable reported case: Vernon Knight Associates v Cornwall Council [2013] EWCA Civ 950
• Advising on multiple claims for subsidence damage to properties and the highway as a result of the escape of water
• Advising a local authority following the collapse of a section of highway on a spine and managing the complex investigations and litigation
• Advising and defending claims for a number of local authorities in relation to flooding incidents which have caused damage to properties and infrastructure
• Advised on and concluded numerous Schedule 12 claims for compensation including the successful rejection of a claim pursued in excess of £2m for losses related to a business that had not been established
• Defended a local authority at trial in a claim for a fatal accident on the highway which was alleged to have been caused by defective cats eyes and rutting
• Defended a local authority at trial in a tripping accident claim where there was not considered to be an actionable defect

Legal directory quotes/testimonials/rankings

• “Roger Bishop is switched on and well organised, with good judgment about how to handle his cases.” Legal 500 2024
• Roger is listed as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 rankings for water: Tier 2, in 2024
• Roger was listed as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 rankings for personal injury and clinical negligence: Defendant, Tier 1, in 2022.

Relevant professional memberships/industry influence

• Roger is a member of the Law Society.

Roger is a member of the Law Society.

Roger is listed as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 rankings for personal injury and clinical negligence: Defendant, Tier 1, in 2022.