Under the collective leadership of Kevin Lawson, Bridget Tatham and Rachel Lyne, the first-rate team at Browne Jacobson LLP frequently works with London-based and national clients in the commercial insurance sector, as well as numerous local authorities. Its focus is on high-value and complex matters such as employer’s and public liability cases, and claims regarding injuries as a result of sports, disease and abuse. Matthew Harpin continues to play a pivotal role in the department, and has recently been involved in several cases relating to fundamental dishonesty. James Arrowsmith is also recommended. In addition, the group has considerable expertise in advising on injuries at care homes.

Clyde & Co is a ‘heavyweight’ firm, which is praised for dealing with claims in a ‘very efficient and straightforward manner’. The catastrophic injury and large loss unit is led by Mike Dobson. James Harvey heads up the corporate risk team. Rachael Morris, who joined the practice from Browne Jacobson LLP in May 2023, now leads the new healthcare team at the Birmingham office. Paul Owston is another notable name for his public sector experience, while Sarah Hill leads the fraud practice group. Other key members of the department include David Thompson, whose practice is focused on catastrophic injuries and cross-border litigation, and Verinder Bedi, who is vastly experienced in dealing with a variety of road traffic accidents.

Kennedys is praised as a ‘London-quality defendant insurer team, operating in the West Midlands’, which is ‘able to compete effectively on price/quality with the London-based teams'. At the helm is Ian Davies who ‘has been exceptional at everything that he does’.  James Shrimpton heads the firm’s employers’ and public liability group. Philippa Craven is another respected member of the department who co-heads the firm’s occupational disease practice, and advises an impressive array of insurer and corporate clients. Mark Walsh specialises in high-value and catastrophic injury claims. Naomi North helps companies and individuals when they are facing investigations by the police and HSE. Sandip Sidhu was promoted to the partnership in May 2023.

Keoghs LLP is ‘really at the forefront of defendant PI work – always pushing the boundaries and breaking new ground’. Under the joint leadership of Ken Young and Howard Dean, it acts for more than two thirds of the insurance market, including eight of the top ten UK motor insurers. It also represents a range of self-insured clients, commercial companies and public sector organisations. The agile team covers diverse areas such as motor, liability, disease and abuse claims. Other areas of focus span catastrophic injuries and fraud. Ryan Bird is singled out for praise for his handling of various mandates such as asbestos-related cases and stress and harassment claims. David Pugh is recommended along with Julie Park, Helen White and Rebecca Williams.

Weightmans LLP fields an impressive team, which acts for leading insurers. It also acts for dozens of clients from the public sector, and has specialist teams for casualty, disease, motor, public authority and large loss claims. Henry Bermingham is recognised for his work on major social care and abuse/inquiry cases. David Tuck heads the Birmingham disease team. Penelope Marshall is well-regarded for her handling of a wide range of litigation for local government and public sector clients. Marshall is also lauded for her work with private care homes and educational bodies. Bruce Ralston has considerable knowledge of sports liability cases. Chris Webb-Jenkins is another leading member of the department.

Led by Ravinder Johal, Shakespeare Martineau LLP continues to act for a variety of insurance companies, intermediaries and self-insured organisations. It covers an array of injury work, from employer, public and property claims to motor liability cases. Other key clients include some public sector organisations. Tony Hannington provides additional assistance, while associate Brian Jones departed for an in-house position.