CMS‘s defendant clinical negligence and medical advisory team is noted for its ’broad commercial approach to the defence of doctors’, and represents Medical Defence Union professionals, and insurers in various high-value malpractice disputes. The practice handles a broad range of catastrophic injury work, demonstrating strength in cognitive issues, as well as obstetric and natal claims. Lauded for her ‘excellent judgement’, practice head Yvonne Screene specialises in neurological, oncological, orthopaedic and obstetric claims, and also shines in group litigation. Anna Walsh co-heads the team in London, and is a key point of contact for London market insurers and private healthcare providers. Kate Holbrook represents GPs, dentists and private medical professionals in cognitive and birth injury claims, including those involving early detection issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Quality individuals across the board, from junior solicitors to partners.’

  • ‘Eye for detail, calmness under the pressure of litigation and knowledge of clinical negligence issues.’

  • ‘The CMS team in London continues to provide a first/class service for the MDU which is equal to the best of the defence solicitors in clinical negligence.’

  • ‘Yvonne Screene is an outstanding solicitor with excellent judgement as well as very good client handling skills. She works as a team with leading counsel and her input is incisive and valuable.’

  • ‘The team at CMS is excellent. They have particular strength in DDU / MDU cases and longstanding relationships with their insurer clients. Advice to the clinician is always senstitive whilst also being pragmatic and sensible. As counsel their instructions are sent in a timely manner and well-prepared, and it is always a pleasure to work with their file handlers.’

  • ‘This team has a broad commercial approach to the defence of doctors. They  go the extra mile to resource their cases.’

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Yvonne Screene, Anna Walsh

Other key lawyers

Kate Holbrook