Personal Injury: Claimant (London)

Providing clients with an 'incredibly high level of service' Stewarts Law LLP remains the 'standout' firm for personal injury work in London. Consistently praised as 'one of the best claimant firms in the market', it focuses on high-value catastrophic injury cases. Led by Paul Paxton, the now nine-partner team recovered damages worth £80m in 2008, and handled claims worth a total of £450m. It includes 'impressive' managing partner John Cahill; the 'excellent' Stuart Dench; Julian Chamberlayne, who has vast experience in international claims; Andrew Dinsmore; the 'highly regarded' Katherine Lennon; 'leading light' Kevin Grealis; and brain and spinal cord injury case expert Charles Edwards. Lucy Robinson was promoted to partner in 2008.

Top Personal Injury firms in the Legal 500

STEWARTS LAW LLP	1
IRWIN MITCHELL LLP LEIGH DAY & CO	2
Anthony Gold Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP Russell Jones & Walker Thompsons	3
Davies Arnold Cooper LLP Hodge Jones & Allen LLP Pattinson & Brewer Solicitors Russell-Cooke LLP	4
Bolt Burdon Kemp Cogent Law Finers Stephens Innocent LLP Levenes Pritchard Englefield RMPI LLP	5

Clinical Negligence: Claimant (London)

Muiris Lyons joined Stewarts Law LLP as head of department from Irwin Mitchell LLP, and is noted as a 'clear leader in the field'. Specialising in complex, high-value claims, highlights for the five-partner practice in 2008 included a £4m spinal cord injury case. The team includes the 'reassuring and compassionate' Nick Knowles, the 'totally committed' Kevin Grealis and 'impressive' Leeds-based partner Frank Pinch, who is 'a star of the future'.

Transport: Aviation (London)

Stewarts Law LLP's claimant-based aviation practice is considered 'responsive and unsurpassed in its knowledge of aviation insurance law'. Led by James Healy-Pratt ('one of the leading lawyers in the world in this area'), the practice has cornered the market representing claimants in air accidents. Recent highlights include representing the families in a claim relating to the crash of a Boeing 737 in 2007 in Indonesia. Sarah Stewart is also recommended, for her 'attention to detail and great commitment to the clients'.

Family (London)

Stewarts Law LLP's 'out of the mould' family practice has undergone a transformation, attracting stars Debbie Chism from Manches LLP and Emma Hatley from Withers LLP in 2009. Practice head Stephen Foster 'has incredible insight, and an unparalleled ability to handle extreme pressure and get to the crux of a difficult problem very quickly'. The group is 'fast becoming one of the very best high-value asset divorce practices in London'.

Personal Injury: Claimant (Leeds)

Stewarts Law LLP acted on a high number of cases with values in excess of £1m during 2008, breaking ground on judgements and awards. Department head Daniel Herman, who has a 'quick mind and thorough understanding of the law', recently achieved the largest-ever reported settlement for a paraplegic, at £5.5m.

Clinical Negligence: Claimant (Leeds)

Spearheaded by Frank Pinch, Stewarts Law LLP's clinical negligence department has a focus on catastrophic injury cases. An impressive caseload includes a string of recent claims valued at over £1m, including a £2.5m spinal cord matter.