Gerard Hanratty leads the practice at Browne Jacobson LLP, which is noted for its ‘unparalleled depth of knowledge’. The team regularly acts for NHS Resolution, health boards, and NHS trusts in matters concerning inquests, governance, and policy. The team also has extensive capabilities in the areas of mental health and Court of Protection cases, in addition to the reformation of primary care provision. Hanratty advises NHS organisations on governance and service reconfiguration projects, while Christian Dingwall utilises his corporate and regulatory expertise to advise clients on partnerships, the merging of trusts, and integrated care joint ventures. Charlotte Harpin has extensive experience in integrated care system development, and data sharing arrangements. Carly Caton, who offers an ‘exceptionally high level of support’, joined the team from Bevan Brittan LLP in November 2022, contributing her vast knowledge of collaborations between the NHS and the private sector, and income generation projects.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'They bring excellent stakeholder engagement skills, alongside an unparalleled depth of knowledge of the health sector.'
'Carly Caton consistently offers an exceptionally high level of support. Always prepared to go the extra mile, Carly ensures client satisfaction remains high at all times. She combines expertise with relationship skills, insight and humour.'

Key clients

NHS England
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
Stockport NHS Foundation
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
Prime PLC
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
King’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Swansea Bay University Health Board

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Christian Dingwall

Hall of fameBrowne Jacobson LLP

Christian qualified as a solicitor in 1986 and joined Browne Jacobson in 2019 as a partner in its Commercial Health team. He advises health and social care clients, including many NHS trusts, foundation trusts, commissioners and other bodies, about commercial and corporate law, governance, compliance and regulation. Christian specialises in organisational and service transformation in the NHS and wider health sector, including, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, integrated care partnerships and reconfiguration. Legal directories rate him as a top lawyer for health transactions.

Leading individuals

Gerard Hanratty

Browne Jacobson LLP

Gerard heads Browne Jacobson’s Health Sector and continues to be at the forefront of advising the NHS nationally and health sector overall on the development of Integrated Care Systems and major service reconfiguration projects. He is regularly sought for advice on all matters relating to public law, especially when public bodies face challenging decisions and he has successfully defended many judicial reviews. His expertise and pragmatic approach helps clients deliver on their plans and understand how to deal with challenges. The coming year will bring further work on the developing health and social care system, as well as advice on how to meet the challenges of introducing digital technology into the sector.

Next Generation Partners