LAWYER PROFILE
Neil Clayton

Neil Clayton

UK 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Shakespeare Martineau

Practice Areas

Clinical Negligence

Career

Neil acts for claimants who have suffered negligent medical treatment or care from both the NHS and from private providers. He passionately believes in fighting for justice for injured Claimants and sees his role as vital in policing the NHS. He believes that without experienced clinical negligence lawyers, a lot of the dreadful mistakes would go unnoticed and unreported.

Cancer treatment claims

He has acted for a large number of Claimants in relation to the misdiagnosis of and failure to treat cancer. These include the case of a young mother where there was a failure to properly remove a mole on her leg. It turned out years later that the mole was a melanoma which caused her death when her young son was only a year old. He also acted for a father of three whose GP failed to diagnose a mass in his rectum. Sadly the delay made the cancer untreatable and lead to his premature death.

Surgical error claims

Neil deals with lots of complicated cases involving surgical errors. He has recovered large amounts of compensation where people have suffered injuries to their bile ducts whilst having their gallbladders removed. He also recovered substantial damages for a man who underwent bowel surgery without giving informed consent, which caused him to need to be fed through total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Birth injury claims

Neil deals with cases relating to birth injuries including wrongful birth and stillbirth claims. He has dealt with many claims involving gynaecological injuries sustained by women including during childbirth. He believes that the large number of gynaecological cases he sees relates partly to a lack of empathy between a lot of male gynaecologists and their patients.

Dental negligence claims

Neil is a specialist in dental claims having parents who are both qualified dentists. He is skilled at considering the dental records and x-rays / radiographs and advising clients whether they have potential claims. Neil has seen plenty of cases of incorrect extractions of teeth, failures to diagnose and treat gum disease, failure to treat decay and poor fillings and bridges.

Neil has expressed the desire to see reform in the way that dentists are insured, so that Defence Unions cannot avoid indemnifying dentists when they have absconded or left the county. He has become very frustrated in previous cases where some claimants had not received their just compensation when the negligent dentist could not be traced, and the Defence Unions refused to indemnify them.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant - London (Firms)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Neil Clayton's broad expertise encompasses delayed diagnosis and treatment, incorrect discharge and wrongful birth claims. He also advises on issues surrounding breach of duty and informed consent.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Neil is a very measured, analytical lawyer, he's calm and very easy to deal with.

    Clinical Negligence: Mainly ClaimantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • He has strong technical skills and is a determined negotiator.

    Clinical Negligence: Mainly ClaimantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • Neil is just a thoroughly likable and approachable chap and he is very committed to clients.

    Clinical Negligence: Mainly ClaimantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Ranked Individuals at Shakespeare Martineau (54)

East Midlands

London (Firms)

Midlands

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