RWK Goodman

Clinical negligence (claimant)

Simon Elliman is a partner at RWK Goodman and heads the firm's Medical Negligence team. Although based in our Bath office, Simon represents clients from all over England and Wales. His expertise is recognised by his membership of the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel, and his membership of the specialist panel of the renowned medical negligence charity Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA).

Simon has particular expertise in birth injury and cerebral palsy cases, and complex spinal cases, with a particular specialism in cauda equina cases, and works in partnership with the Cauda Equina Champions Charity. Simon is recognised by independent legal directories Chambers and Legal 500 as a Leader in his field. Chambers describes him as “well regarded for his handling of cerebral palsy cases” and Legal 500 describe him as a “cerebral palsy expert”. Simon is personally recommended by Queen’s Counsel for spinal injury and cauda equina cases, on the basis that “any client would be guaranteed to receive not just an excellent legal service but also sensitive handling” and is described as “a very fine clinical negligence lawyer with vast experience and superb client-handling skills.

As mentioned in the Legal 500 UK “Simon Elliman  heads the practice and specialises in cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, wrongful birth and spinal injury cases“. Described by clients in Chambers and Partners as “very supportive and organised”, and by The Legal 500 UK as “a very experienced lawyer with excellent judgment“, Simon is thoroughly committed to his work.

Even outside work, Simon is fascinated by medical law, and completed a Master’s degree in Medical Law and Ethics in 2010, graduating with Distinction. Simon is a member of two specialist panels, the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel, and Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA). He is also accredited as a Senior Litigator with APIL. He has had articles published in Clinical Risk, Medical Litigation, Healthcare Risk Report, the Solicitors Journal and the New Law Journal.

He qualified as a lawyer in 1992, becoming a Partner at RWK Goodman in 2000. Apart from his expertise in birth injury and complex spinal cases, Simon will also deal from time to time with other complex and high value medical negligence claims of various types.

Trained Bond Pearce 1990-92; qualified 1992; assistant solicitor 1992-98; associate Withy King 1999-2000; partner 2000 to date; publications: ‘The Meaning of Knowledge’ (NLJ Vol 148 p417); ‘When Can Ignorance of the Law Defeat a Limitation Defence’ (NLJ Vol 148 p1708); ‘The Court’s Discretion’ (NLJ Vol 149 p1319); ‘Issues of Consent in Experimental Treatment’ (Clinical Risk 1999 Vol 5 p132); ‘Constructive Knowledge – a gloss on Forbes v Wandsworth’ (Medical Litigation, March 1999 p8); ‘Implications of Roberts v Winbow’ (Medical Litigation, May 1999 p2); ‘An Intolerable Situation’ (Solicitors Journal, September 2009); editor of clinical negligence section of Sweet and Maxwells ‘Personal Injury Claims Manual’. Author of the Clinical Negligence chapter in the Personal Injury Claims Manual.

English

Law Society Clinical Negligence Reference Group; APIL; AVMA South-West LSG; APIL’s Clinical Negligence Special Interest Group; Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel; AVMA Referral Panel.

University of Southampton (1989 Law Degree First Class Hons); Law Society finals (1990); De Montfort University (Masters Degree in Medical Law and Ethics, 2010).

Cricket, golf, music.