Eleni Polycarpou and Caroline Thompson lead the professional negligence practice at Withers LLP. The team is well-regarded for their work advising barristers on behalf of the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund. Polycarpou undertakes claimant work against solicitors, accountants, financial advisers and brokers. Thompson is adept at representing both claimants and defendants, while Owen Talfan Davies has extensive experience in real estate professional negligence claims. Stephen Richards is a key contact for tax and succession issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The Withers professional negligence team has a deep understanding of the law and the tactics the other side will deploy, are very sensible and commercially minded and extremely personable, and it is a pleasure to work with them’
- ‘Caroline Thompson has a razor-sharp legal mind who always thinks at least three moves ahead. She is an excellent communicator, reduces complex legal issues into simplicity.’
- ‘The team contains outstanding technical lawyers, who each bring their particular skills to any given situation, but with personality and a team ethos that sets them apart. ’
- ‘Excellent for sensitive matters, including ones with high net worth clients.’
Key clients
- Ferrybridge Capital Ltd
- Edgeworth Capital (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l.
- John Bodenham
- Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund
- RBC Trust Company
- Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund and Mr Nicholas Yell
- Barrowfen Properties Limited
- Sairam (Holdings) Ltd
- C-suite Exec at FTSE 250 company
Work highlights
Acted for the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund and one of its insureds in defending a multi-million pound negligence claim brought against both the insured barrister and his former instructing solicitors in respect of conduct of employment tribunal proceedings.
Acting for Ferrybridge Capital in its claims against HM Land Registry under the Land Registration Act 2022 and in negligence and breach of trust against firms of solicitors.
Acting for Edgeworth Capital (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. in its €213m claim against its former professional advisers.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Eleni Polycarpou; Caroline Thompson
Other key lawyers
Owen Talfan Davies; Stephen Richards