Noted for its ‘unrivalled knowledge and experience of the sector’, the Manchester-based offering at Clyde & Co is well-equipped to defend NHS trusts, med-mal insurers, GPs, and MDOs in the full range of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters wherein often both quantum and causation aspects are contentious. ‘Star individual’ Vanessa Splaine heads up the overall team and leads the NHS Resolution group; Splaine has vast experience handling the remit of complex litigation, with particular experience in high-value brain injuries in new-borns and adults, wrongful birth claims, and serious spinal injury cases. Christina Bateman is experienced in handling severe birth injury cases, spinal injury matters, and multi-party claims; and ‘excellent lawyer’ Andrea Crisp is a name to note with a particular strength in handling claims relating to the Equality Act 2010 and experience acting alongside Splaine in cross-jurisdictional cases. In July 2024, the firm saw the arrival of Chloe Davies, while Sarah Woodwark retired in April 2024.

The Manchester-based team at DAC Beachcroft LLP has noteworthy capabilities in assisting its varied portfolio of clients, which includes key providers of medical services, both public and private, as well as insurers. The team advises clients who are under investigation and defends them at various court levels. The ‘exceptional legal minds’ that form the team include experienced product liability advisor Sean Doherty, who leads the team’s NHS Resolution work and whose areas of specialism range from birth injury claims to orthopaedic-related group actions; Claire Fitzgerald, who boasts expertise in handling mental health-related matters; and Bridie Mahoney, who is experienced in handling high-profile litigation. The team is helmed by London-based Hamza Drabu, Bristol’s Rachel Roberts-Jenkins, and Manchester-based Simon Wortley, who is lauded as an ‘excellent lawyer’ and has experience handling both domestic and cross-jurisdictional matters for the team’s most prominent clients.

Hill Dickinson LLP‘s group spans Liverpool and Manchester and is renowned for its capabilities in representing its wide-ranging roster of clients, which features NHS Resolution, AXIS Insurance, and various NHS Trusts, in a plethora of complex matters. The team is helmed from Liverpool by Andrew Craggs, who acts for some of the team’s most preeminent clients and is particularly experienced in advising on sensitive matters, such as those surrounding sexual assault, stress, and claims of bullying. From the same office, ‘superb operator’ David Locke leads the firm’s national health litigation team and is well-equipped to defend high-profile group action claims and advise on novel issues, such as gender reassignment clinic closures following the Cass Report. Gill Stoll is lauded by clients as a ‘master tactician’; and Joanne Hughes has expertise in GP and dental-related claims. In Manchester, Jonathan Heap acts for private insurer, as well as public sector clients, and frequently works alongside noteworthy practitioner Nick Citron. Jessica Neary departed the Manchester team in January 2025.

The Liverpool-based cohort at Weightmans LLP boast a workload that includes defending its notable list of clients in contentious cases regarding lack of proficient care and catastrophic injury claims, as well as in various group action claims. In addition to its contentious capabilities, the team provides preventative strategic advice on issues including patient safety and risk management. ‘Very experienced litigator’ Ian Critchley heads up the offering alongside Richard Jolly, who is experienced in acting for NHS trusts and private medical clients, and Vicky Morris, who has expertise in patient safety matters and novel cases, as well as in group actions. Medical malpractice and dental negligence cases are specialist areas of Chris Dexter. Birth injury, wrongful birth, and claims involving foetal exposure to sodium valproate are core areas of strength for Lisa Spencer, while June 2024-promoted partner Samuel Harland has significant experience handling product liability and infected blood matters. Jessica Neary joined the team in January 2025.

Often leveraging its national network, Browne Jacobson LLP is active on public inquiries and complex birth injury cases. Having re-joined the team from Clyde & Co in April 2025, practice head Bethan Parry is a key name for healthcare professionals and insurers, leveraging her longstanding experience in surgical error claims and healthcare inquests. Nigel Wood is noted for his expertise in ophthalmic cases, representing a diverse range of medical defence organisations, private healthcare providers, and NHS trusts. Jenny Harrington stands out for her specialism in birth injury claims and early notification scheme issues.