Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 1
Contact number
(01179) 182000About
Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP
DAC Beachcroft LLP is the market-leading and largest defendant clinical negligence and medical malpractice team in the UK. We have been acting for the NHS since its inception in 1948 and are an original panel firm for NHS Resolution (formerly the NHS Litigation Authority), as well as being proud to call the MDU and many private healthcare providers and their insurers as clients.
In addition to this, our clinical negligence and medical malpractice teams provide market leading services for insurers in both the Republic of Ireland and in Spain.
Dealing in dispute resolution and as advocates in courts, tribunals and coroner's courts, our experts provide advice on performance issues and professional disciplinary matters, as well as having experience of mediation and ADR generally.
We offer genuine end-to-end expertise, from incident management, insurance notifications, and TPA claims handling, through to the most complex litigation in this field, involving group and representative action. This includes some of the largest group actions involving the NHS today, taking a cutting-edged approach to managing the complexities of such litigation.
Chambers Review
DAC Beachcroft boasts a leading team of defence solicitors handling a portfolio of work for NHS Resolution along with private healthcare providers and the MDU. The group handles a wide variety of orthopaedic claims, catastrophic injury cases and group actions, as well as having noted expertise in cosmetic surgery and psychiatric injury claims. The firm acts on cases involving issues of informed consent and continues to be at the forefront of high-profile national matters, including vaginal mesh and metal hip claims.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"It's a very capable team that is strong on communication and responding to correspondence promptly."
"DAC Beachcroft is an exceptional, impressive firm."
"The team is very efficient, competent at what they do and experienced."
"DAC Beachcroft is definitely our go-to. The service is just fantastic - they come back to us straight away, give helpful and pragmatic advice, and go above and beyond."
"It's a very capable team that is strong on communication and responding to correspondence promptly."
"DAC Beachcroft is an exceptional, impressive firm."
"The team is very efficient, competent at what they do and experienced."
"DAC Beachcroft is definitely our go-to. The service is just fantastic - they come back to us straight away, give helpful and pragmatic advice, and go above and beyond."
Notable Practitioners
David Roberts defends NHS trusts against a range of complex claims involving brain injury and delayed diagnosis and treatment of cauda equina. He has further experience in handling fatal accident claims.
"David Roberts provides brilliant support and advice."
Heather Durston-Hillyer is based in Winchester and is particularly active in cases involving obstetric and gynaecological care, defending against claims alleging brain damage and nerve injury. She also advises on wrongful birth claims.
Hannah Volpe regularly works on complex catastrophic injury claims as well as those related to hospital acquired infections. She is also currently leading the firm's work related to the COVID-19 public inquiry.
"Hannah has a great tactical nose when it comes to claims."
Sean Doherty regularly represents NHS Resolution and NHS trusts in group action proceedings involving product liability and paediatric surgery, with further experience of neurological and psychological injury claims. He has particular strength in issues surrounding breach of duty and informed consent.
"He knows his stuff very well and is a polished operator."
Ranked Lawyers at
DAC Beachcroft LLP
UK-wide
Members
Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP
Anthea Lane
Belinda Dix
Corinne Slingo
Dawn McIntosh
Diane Hallatt
Gill Weatherill
Hannah Volpe
Joanne Neale
Mark Ashley
Head of Department
Neil Rowe
Peter Downey
Peter Merchant
Rachel Roberts-Jenkins
Sara Eaton
Simon Perkins
Simon Wortley
Tracey Longfield
Clients
Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP
Allied World
Mitsui Sumitomo
NHS Litigation Authority
Neon Underwriting Ltd
Nuffield
QBE
RSA
Spire
The Medical Defence Union
Zurich Global Corporate
Industries
Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP
Health