Department profile
DAC Beachcroft LLP

Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

Share profile

DAC Beachcroft LLP

Rankings

About

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.

Clients (10)

  • NHS Litigation Authority
  • The Medical Defence Union
  • Neon Underwriting Ltd
  • Spire
  • Allied World
  • Zurich Global Corporate
  • QBE
  • RSA
  • Mitsui Sumitomo
  • Nuffield

Industries (1)

  • Health

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

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.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team have a great skill set and they are very responsive.

    Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant respondentUK

  • The team have a good collaborative approach.

    Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant respondentUK

  • All team members are very approachable, knowledgeable and friendly. No question is a silly one and they always listen to concerns and provide reassurance.

    Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant respondentUK

  • The team are very helpful and they have a pragmatic approach to resolving complicated litigation.

    Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • David Roberts
    David Roberts

    David Roberts

    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.

    • He is a very good lawyer and is very well respected by clients.

      Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant respondentUK
    View profile
  • Hannah Volpe
    Hannah Volpe

    Hannah Volpe

    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 is a very strong litigator.

      Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant respondentUK
    View profile
  • Heather Durston-Hillyer
    Heather Durston-Hillyer

    Heather Durston-Hillyer

    Heather Durston-Hillyer 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.

    View profile
  • Sean Doherty
    Sean Doherty

    Sean Doherty

    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.

    View profile
  • James Davies
    James Davies

    James Davies

    James Davies acts for insurers and individual practitioners, with particular expertise in amputation and surgical claims. He offers further experience handling cosmetic and dental claims.

    • He is a very good lawyer.

      Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant respondentUK
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at DAC Beachcroft LLP (5)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by DAC Beachcroft LLP

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership