Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: The South

Blake Lapthorn leaps into the top tier due to its outstanding reputation in personal injury work. Clients praise the firm's understanding of complex brain and spinal injury cases. Sources enthuse: "They are very able, good at communication and compassionate." The firm's extensive experience of serious injury cases is backed up by a strong Court of Protection practice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alison McClure nurtures "exceptional client relationships" and wins praise for ensuring clients are "fully informed at all times," according to interviewees. Claire Howard enters this year's rankings, admired by clients as an "extremely efficient solicitor, who promptly sets the ball in motion." She heads the PI group in Southampton and is considered "excellent in liaising with clients and their families and understanding the pressures they are under." In one recent case, she secured a £7.2 million lump sum settlement for a young claimant who suffered severe head injuries.

George Ide is regarded as a go-to firm for the highest-value personal injury claims. Serious brain and spinal injury cases are the group's particular forte. Sources say: "Their relationship with clients is founded on common sense and a clear explanation of the options available."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tony Goff's reputation as a "highly competent" PI lawyer is confirmed by clients who have used him on catastrophic injury cases. He appeared for the family in a case where an elderly man died from his injuries six months after a coach crash. Claire Watson has also been handling serious brain injuries sustained in car crashes. New partner Paul Fretwell is recognised for his "good judgement" in a caseload of high-value head and spinal injury claims. For example, he acted for one claimant following an accident whilst he was serving in the armed forces.

Lamport Bassitt scores high marks with clients for its professionalism and extensive PI expertise in Southampton. The five-partner team earns compliments for its knowledge of complex disease and industrial injury claims. Sources underline a particular grasp of noise-induced hearing loss claims and asbestos-related litigation. Sources also admire the firm's "clear instructions" and sensible queries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gareth Wheeler heads the claimant team and tackles a range of industrial disease claims. He is deemed "very good on asbestos cases" and has been advising a widow following the death of her husband from mesothelioma. This year's rankings welcome Lynn Webb, who is praised for her "positive and non-confrontational" style. She has been handling a number of lung disease cases.

This firm attracts commendations for its expertise in high-value RTA claims, workplace accidents and industrial disease cases. It operates from Southampton and commands respect for the lofty reputation of its lead partner and the "comprehensive, relevant and accurate reports" of his team. Clients also point out the "clear letters of instruction and very well-prepared documentation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gavin Lane is highly regarded by clients. In a varied PI practice, he has been handling a number of accident-related sporting claims, including litigation arising from a serious accident at the Brands Hatch racecourse.

Coffin Mew's six-lawyer team is appreciated as one of the principal players in Hampshire and the South Coast. The group wins plaudits for its focus on catastrophic injury cases, especially in the neurotrauma field. Interviewees also underline the firm's reputation in industrial disease work, handling a range of asbestos-related and hand-arm vibration syndrome cases.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lead partner Sue Bowler is deemed an expert in brain injury cases. Interviewees underline her professionalism and knowledge and say she "knows the topic backwards." Clients state: "She explains complex issues in a manner which is easy to understand." Recently she acted for a claimant who suffered an accident at work.

Shoosmiths is recognised for its serious injury claims in Basingstoke and Southampton, where the firm has two of its eight offices. Recently the team was involved in a high-value case for a man injured in a motorbike accident which resulted in a leg amputation and post-traumatic stress disorder.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rose Donoghue heads the group. She has been tackling complicated brain injury cases.

This small Kent-based team wins praise for being "informative and supportive" to clients in a range of PI, clinical negligence and industrial disease claims. "They are very personable and helpful," add clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonathan Clement deals impressively with traumatic brain injuries, say sources. He recently acted for a claimant who suffered head injuries in a tractor accident.

This Canterbury-based firm excels in a range of PI cases, earning particular praise for its occupational disease work. Clients admire the group's "tenacity in its pursuit of natural justice." The team is most notably respected for its disease work for the mining community in Kent. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Longmore "leaves no stone unturned in getting the best results," state clients, who applaud his "incredible eye for detail." Other interviewees admire his patience and compassion. Recently he has been handling fatal accident cases. Neille Ryan displays an "exceptional and exemplary professional service." He has acted on a respiratory disease case for the widow of a late coal miner. 

This Southampton-based group wins respect for its caseload of road traffic and workplace accidents. "They provide an excellent service to their clients and almost always achieve the best possible result," agree clients. The firm tackles a high volume of PI claims from claims referrers. Barristers consider them to be "tenacious in their approach to litigation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "very experienced" Damian Horan heads the group and provides "an excellent service." He recently acted for a barrister who sustained spinal injuries in an RTA.

Penningtons' PI practice is boosted by a strong clinical negligence team, according to clients. The team handles a range of brain and spinal injury cases in Basingstoke and especially Godalming. The group works closely with the private client department, which handles trusts, wills and Court of Protection advice for claimants.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Philippa Luscombe is an "assured operator," who combines "efficiency with intelligence," according to clients. She handles a raft of EL/PL claims. Lately she advised a claimant severely brain-injured in a traffic accident.

Rix & Kay's six-person team enters this year's rankings for its strong expertise in brain injury and catastrophic claims. Clients enthuse: "They mix commitment with sound knowledge and the ability to apply both in a practical way."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frances Pierce heads the catastrophic injury and clinical negligence practice. She recently achieved a £10 million settlement for a severely brain-injured client. Michael Hartley moved from Griffith Smith Farrington Webb in 2010. He impresses as one to watch for his experience of high-value PI and clinical negligence claims. He has a particular expertise in pursuing sexual and physical abuse claims.