Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant: South West

This four-partner team is instructed on a wide range of clinical negligence cases including brain injury, spinal injury, fatal accidents and delayed cancer diagnoses. Sources praise the team's high-quality advice, strong case management skills and professional approach. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Barcan is universally acclaimed as a leading practitioner in this field, with particular expertise in matters arising from obstetric and spinal injuries. Sources consider him to be "tenacious on behalf of his clients, and he will make sure everything is investigated." Richard Harries heads the clinical negligence team, and he has recently handled a number of cases connected with spinal surgery. Sources say: "He can get to grips with complicated cases and really knows his brief."

Foot Anstey's clinical negligence practice extends across the South West through its offices in Exeter, Truro, Plymouth and Taunton. This group is commended for its "hard work and perseverance," and it instils trust in clients with its determined approach and caring manner. In the past year, the team has achieved settlements in a range of cases including wrongful birth, catastrophic brain injury and delayed diagnosis.

Client Service "Robert Antrobus speaks with real compassion. He wants to make the process as easy as possible through his manner and caring attitude to the family."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Hannam regularly handles birth injury and cerebral palsy claims, and is regarded as one of the "top clinical negligence solicitors, with a very good team around him." He is highly experienced in this field and "his knowledge of the area is second to none," according to sources. Robert Antrobus recently recovered £2 million for a client in a wrongful birth claim, and he has also handled a birth injury and a delayed diagnosis case. Clients appreciate his openness and commitment to cases: "He reassured us with his caring manner, as well as his knowledge and experience. He made himself available whenever we needed him and answered our queries openly." Claire Stoneman "is personable and gets to the point of a matter; she is a logical and clear thinker." She specialises in matters arising from paediatric surgery, birth injury, neonatal deaths and stillbirths. Mike Bird heads up the team in Truro. He recently achieved a £6.2 million settlement in a birth injury cerebral palsy claim.

This Exeter-based team is held in high esteem by sources for its tenacious approach, outstanding preparation of cases and client-handling skills. One source comments: "If you're in the South West and have a difficult clinical negligence case, then I would recommend them." The team is instructed on a range of cases, including birth injuries, and misdiagnosis resulting in both physical and psychiatric injury.

Client Service "They are phenomenally good at putting the client first."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Magi Young "can find a way through a difficult case," and she has recently handled a range of cerebral palsy, delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis cases. Jayshree Nathwani is praised for her "extremely good advice," as well as her negotiation skills and client care skills.

Sources highlight this team's organisational ability, timely and clear instructions, and availability. The team has recently advised on a growing number of birth injury and dental negligence cases, while clients also benefit from the firm's Court of Protection and trusts expertise.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Simon Elliman is recognised for his adept handling of clinical negligence matters, and he has particular expertise in birth injury and cerebral palsy cases. Gerry Ferguson recently advised a client who was given negligent advice during treatment for a prolapsed disc, resulting in the growth of a cauda equina lesion. Described as "a real pro," Paul Rumley "knows exactly what he is doing and is very organised." He handles a diverse workload, including high-value birth injury cases, delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Michelmores' clinical negligence team has expanded to include 11 fee earners operating out of its Exeter office. The team houses three qualified nurses and a qualified neuro-physiotherapist. The firm has particular niche expertise in dealing with sports injury treatment, medical tourism issues and cosmetic surgery.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Laurence Vick heads up the clinical negligence team and is instructed on a broad range of cases in this area. He is also widely regarded as a leading expert on the jurisdictional and legal problems associated with medical tourism.

This team is known for its handling of birth injury litigation and child-related cases including cerebral palsy and Erb's palsy claims. The firm also deals with a wide range of other matters, including cancer treatment claims, fatal accidents and cosmetic surgery.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The team is headed by partner Tim Dyde. He is a registered general nurse and is noted for his extensive knowledge of medical issues. Endurance Arthur handles a wide variety of clinical negligence claims and has particular interest in brachial plexus palsy, cerebral palsy, and vascular and cardiac surgery. Stuart Bramley looks after fatal accident and infection cases. He acts for both claimants and defendants and has a wealth of experience representing clients at inquests. Tony Mills has expertise in the areas of GP negligence, fatal accidents, inappropriate A&E treatment and birth injuries.

This team is valued for its professionalism, attention to detail and accessibility: "They are available whenever I need to discuss matters or require any clarification on points," say sources. The team has experience and knowledge across a wide spectrum of cases, and has most recently been involved in a number of birth injuries, cancer-related matters and amputation cases.

Client Service "I have no doubt that they have the best interest of their clients at heart."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Whiteley has considerable expertise in catastrophic injury matters, and regularly handles cerebral palsy and misdiagnosis claims. Clare Carter "has an excellent understanding of medico-legal matters," according to sources, and she has particular expertise in birth injury and cerebral palsy cases.

This Plymouth-based team has recently taken on a qualified midwife and an ex-NHS trust legal services manager, adding to the team's established reputation in clinical negligence. Alongside its regular workload of brain injury-related claims, it has also dealt with recent claims arising from inappropriate medical treatment, delayed diagnoses and cerebral palsy.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Parford heads the department, and is highly regarded for his handling of complex, high-value brain and spinal injury claims. He also acts for children and young adults with cerebral palsy. His colleague Barry Bayley specialises in birth injury and cerebral palsy cases.

Davies and Partners has developed a broad clinical negligence practice encompassing a range of issues including surgery, birth injuries and dental negligence.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Senior consultant Gillian Solly is noted for her particular expertise in brain injury and birth injury cases. Ewan Lockhart heads the clinical negligence team. He specialises in the handling of catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents resulting from medical negligence.

Irwin Mitchell houses a "diligent and conscientious" team of clinical negligence practitioners, for whom "nothing is ever too much trouble." The team has recently been instructed on a number of catastrophic injury cases.

Client Service "The team wants to get it right and achieve the best outcome for clients." "They are excellent communicators and their customer care is first-rate."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Julie Lewis is expert in complex paediatric cases and she is valued for her "calm, methodical approach to problem solving." Jonathan Peacock "has a remarkable track record" and is "very dynamic" in his handling of clinical negligence matters. He has particular expertise in complex cases involving neurological injury.