Deploying a ‘combination of exceptionally high technical expertise and grounded common sense’, as well as ’empathy and understanding for every client’, Hugh James is ‘at the forefront of claimant clinical negligence litigation’, regularly handling the most complex and difficult mandates relating to brain injury, birth injury, catastrophic and fatal cases. A well as being well-equipped to secure the best possible outcome in the relevant case, the firm is subsequently also able to effectively deal with managing the finances of the victim, if necessary, through its excellent Court of Protection offering. Rhian Parsons is ’extremely savvy’ and has vast experience in the field, particularly in cases of the utmost severity, including brain injuries, spinal catastrophic injury cases, and wrongful birth claims. The ‘thorough and indefatigable’ Katie McCraith ’really fights for her clients’, regularly achieving superb results in often very emotionally fraught matters; she is also responsible for the development and maintenance of relationships with reputable experts. Elin Davies  ‘always goes the extra mile for her clients’, including in cases involving amputations, stroke management and fatalities. Associate Gareth Beard  ’is very careful to understand the medical aspects of the case’, and has a very active caseload across a wide array of mandates, including cases involving diagnosis delays and several ongoing brain injury matters. Senior associate Rebecca Mather  ‘achieves great results for clients’ across a wide range of clinical negligence cases varying in complexity and value. At a senior level, as well as his duties as head of the firm’s overarching individual client services division, Stephen Webber  also has an active fee-earning practice that includes high value medical negligence cases. London-based Ruth Powell heads up the clinical negligence department having taken over the role from Mari Rosser , who herself still plays an active role on cases despite a more managerial position in general.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Expertise spans the most complex and difficult cases including brain injury, birth injury, catastrophic and fatal cases often worth millions of pounds. The time spent on each case ensures full and thorough investigation leading to excellent results being secured for the client.’

  • ‘Hugh James is at the forefront of claimant clinical negligence litigation. Their overall approach is an effective mix of robustness and reasonableness.'

  • ‘Empathy and understanding for every client. Genuinely caring about what a client has been through and how their life has been changed by the negligence. Focus on ensuring they have the best possible outcome and chance of moving forward after the conclusion of the claim.'

  • ‘Able to handle complex cases in a sensitive and pragmatic way. ’

  • ‘‘The characteristic of this practice which stands out is its combination of exceptionally high technical expertise and grounded common sense.’

  • ‘The extremely savvy Rhian Parsons provides clear advice in a matter of fact and down-to-earth manner.'

  • ‘Katie McCraith is a superb partner. The depth of her experience is evident in the approach to all her cases. She is thorough and indefatigable. She really fights for her clients.'

  • 'Elin Davies always goes the extra mile for her clients.'

  • 'Gareth Beard is an excellent lawyer. He is very careful to understand the medical aspects of the case and works hard to ensure he has covered all aspects appropriately. He is very kind and courteous and it is always a pleasure to work with him.’  

  • 'Rebecca Mather is a stand-out senior associate who will surely make partner in the near future. She achieves great results for her clients.’

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Lawyers

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ruth Powell (London)

Other key lawyers

Stephen Webber, Mari Rosser, Rhian Parsons, Katie McCraith, Elin Davies, Mark Lane, Gareth Beard, Rebecca Mather