With 'a firm grip on the facts, the science, and the law' Hugh James provides a 'truly stellar service' to claimants across a myriad personal injury claims. Indeed, the strength-in-depth of the team, which is headed by the 'outstanding' Mark Harvey (who himself excels at product liability and cross-border litigation) ensures that it is able to provide a degree of specialisation across work types that it is lacking in many of its peer firms. Asbestos work has been a well-established strength, and under the guidance of Richard Green , who is 'willing to take on difficult, cutting-edge cases because of the depth of his knowledge', continues to gain superb results for claimants throughout the UK, as well as abroad (particularly in South Africa). Kathryn Singh also handles asbestos-related lung cancer claims in her role as industrial disease head, as well as other respiratory illnesses and hand arm vibration syndrome, many of which have been initiated through large consolidated group claims. Noted for his 'sure judgement, lightning intellect and down-to-earth nature', Simon Ellis has been pivotal to the firm's success in the military arena, with one barrister observing that he has 'completely re-shaped the market for military claimants' as a result of his string of successes for ex-servicemen, including as it relates to hearing loss and cold injuries. 'Highly experienced, committed and hard working' partners Cari Sowden-Taylor  and Ciaran McCabe  lead the firm's serious injury group which excels in helping those who have suffered life-changing brain injuries, spinal injuries and amputations, often achieving early funding which can be vital to help many of these claimants gain early access to rehabilitation and care. Of the more junior partners, Lucy Strong provides 'amazing' assistance to clients on complex asbestos-related disease claims, while James Gibson  is a 'good tactical litigator' who excels at handling industrial disease claims, many of which take the form of group actions. At an associate level, Ruth Davies  is 'an absolute star' who shows a 'fearless approach to litigation' in relation to military claims, and Sandeep Gill  is 'hardworking and has a keen eye for detail', including on fatal accident claims.

The 'friendly and approachable' team at JCP Solicitors is able to draw upon 'a wealth of knowledge and experience' at handling maximum severity cases, in particular, where it is known for its 'indefatigable work ethic and ability to gain excellent results', including in stagnated cases which have transferred from other law firms. Keith Thomas is able to impart 'an amazing amount of knowledge' to clients who have suffered life changes injuries, including as a result of brain injuries, and has a 'great understanding of clients' needs and their family'. Mei Li is 'caring, supportive and positive' to claimants who have suffered brain injuries in road traffic accidents (RTAs) and during the course of employment. Ian Rees is 'sensible and thorough' and as well as handling complex and high-value catastrophic cases, including in the context of industrial disease, also heads up the firm's lower value non-catastrophic workload. As well as her work with Thomas for clients who have suffered brain injuries, Kirsty Meech  also continues to develop the firm's spinal injuries capabilities, in both cases putting the 'client and family at centre of all decisions'. 

Drawing upon strength-in-depth at all levels of seniority, as well as access to a very efficient case management system, NewLaw Solicitors is able to very effectively represent claimants across a range of personal injury work, from relatively commoditised fast-track claims, through to injuries of maximum severity. As well as the team's pure legal knowledge, a key facet of the practice is the 'compassionate, thoughtful and respectful' manner in which it deals with clients, placing their needs front and centre and with the unique ability to work alongside the firm's in-house Welfare Managers (who provide emotional and practical support to clients). Lisa Samuel encapsulates this empathetic approach, regularly helping victims of RTAs who have suffered very serious injuries (including spinal injuries), providing extra insight by virtue of her former defendant side expertise. Recognised as a 'very competent and experienced catastrophic injury lawyer', Hilton Obery heads up the team's spinal injuries sub-group and manages motor, employer and public liability claims. Specialising in injuries/diseases which have happened at work, Cenric Clement-Evans is 'capable of handling cases with extreme scientific and medical complexity', and as well as more conventional matters, including asbestos-related respiratory illnesses, is also 'exceptional at stress at work claims'.  Melanie Ford, who is 'very professional, easy to talk to and empathetic', is the main contact for brain injury cases, and regularly works alongside the team's Court of Protection offering to provide a holistic service to clients now lacking the mental capacity to make ongoing decisions relating to their financial affairs and well-being. While she does not currently handle fee-earning work, Nicola Edwards is operational lead of the specialist claims group.

Acting alone as well as frequently in conjunction with its Bristol offering, the 'extremely helpful, warm, compassionate and efficient' Cardiff-based team at Thompsons Solicitors LLP handles a range of personal injury work for claimants across Wales and the South West of England. Much of this is generated from the firm's large trade union client base, with the team, which has access to lawyers with varying degrees of seniority, able to effectively handle workplace injuries ranging from fast-track claims through to matters of the utmost severity. Led by the 'caring, knowledgeable and personable' Amanda Jones, who has 'encyclopedic knowledge of legal, medical and engineering issues', the practice is perhaps best-known for its expertise at handling asbestos disease claims. 'Excellent at negotiating' but also more than capable of taking a case to trial (where he also benefits from higher rights of audience), Anthony Welsh handles a range of serious injury claims, as does the 'very experienced and well-prepared' Chris-Marie Niemala, who also works closely with Headway Wales to support their work with brain injury victims. Catherine Cladingbowl co-heads the team with Jones.

 

While it is dwarfed by its much better-known public sector-focused defendant offering, the small but 'approachable and helpful' partner-led team at Dolmans provides a focused offering to claimants across a range of personal injury claims arising from various liability situations. Under the guidance of the 'well-prepared and well-researched' team head Philip Bradley, the team provides a 'cost-effective' service which strives to reach a resolution by alternative means such as joint settlement meetings, if possible.

Leveraging strong local connections, St Asaph-based firm Mackenzie Jones Solicitors draws upon a 'very personable approach', regularly handling work for North Wales-centred clients across a range of personal injury matters, including in the context of RTAs and employers' liability claims. Both Richard Jones  and Anna Mills Morgan are the key contacts, with Morgan going 'the extra mile for her clients to ensure she gets a great outcome'. 

Well-versed across the substantive law and matters of procedure, Red Kite Law LLP provides a 'comprehensive and professional service' to local clients throughout South and West Wales across a broad spectrum of personal injury cases, where they are also appreciated for being 'considerate of the legal needs of the clients from a medicolegal viewpoint'. 'Young and dynamic' team head Sophie Jenkins  is 'tenacious in obtaining a just outcome for injured parties', including as it relates to 'complex cases involving unusual issues of law'. Other key members of the team include the vastly experienced Michael Evans, who has 'sound judgement of the prospects of success and the real value of a claim', and Joe Slader , who displays a 'no-nonsense and direct approach with both clients and opponents'. 

While it has a relatively small footprint in Cardiff, the team at Slater and Gordon punches above its weight, in part by virtue of being able to leverage broader capacity across its UK-wide offices, and is consequently able to 'achieve fantastic results' for trade union members and private clients having suffered injuries in various liability situations including at work and in an RTA context. The 'experienced and highly motivated' team head Andrew Owen  is the undoubted star and 'represents seriously injured claimants with a drive and a sensitivity'. 

Displaying a 'very collaborative approach' among team members based in its Cardiff, Newport and Pontypool offices, Watkins & Gunn Limited has a good reputation among clients throughout the southeast of the country, in particular, across a myriad personal injury matters, leaving 'no stone unturned' to ensure 'the best possible chance of a successful claim'. Many of the instructions emanate from members of the firm's large trade union client base, with the team having a firm understanding of employers' liability matters. 'Vastly experienced' Pontypool-based team head Clive Thomas is key to the success in these cases and also regularly undertakes work for claimants who have suffered serious injuries as a result of RTAs. 'Very knowledgeable' Cardiff-based senior associate Kayleigh Wilding , who re-joined the firm after a stint at Slater and Gordon in 2022, is also recommended and 'fights her client's case with gusto'. 

Led from the firm's Newport head office by 'excellent litigator' Victoria Smithyman, Harding Evans LLP's 'very responsive’ team regularly advises local clients as claimants following serious injuries sustained in an RTA context, as well as at work. Smithyman is able to provide 'practical and sensible' advice which considers both the substantive law and procedural aspects but also takes into account accountancy practices and various medical conditions (and available treatments).

Although the Cardiff office has only been in existence since May 2022, the 'well organised and industrious' team at Irwin Mitchell has already made in-roads into the local market, delivering 'a high-quality service' to adults and children as claimants across a wide range of personal injury matters. An 'incredibly hard worker with a very refined strategic nous', team head Deborah Rose has been pivotal to the firm's success, as has 'very diligent and effective' associate Laura Bailey, with both having strong credentials in relation to brain and spinal cord injury, as well as serious orthopaedic injuries.