The Times Best Law Firms

Chambers and Partners

The top ranked International Injury team once again has all of its partners ranked in the latest Travel section of the guide. Stewarts is described as “the top of the top”. We have been consistently listed in Band 1 since the listing was created in 2011.

“Stewarts offer unparalleled expertise and dedicated teams,” a client reports. “They have in-depth knowledge and total commitment to their clients.”

See our latest entry in Chambers here.

Our international injury experts

Julian Chamberlayne is listed as the only ‘Star Individual’ in this sector and Chambers states he is “at the top of his field. He’s details-driven and handles very difficult cases extremely well.” Market sources said Julian “handles complex international matters extremely well.”

Chambers describes Scott Rigby as having “an amazing eye for detail, [he] sees beyond what most lawyers do.” Clients said: “Scott’s experience shines through when dealing with tricky cases.”

Chris Deacon “is at the top in terms of handling complex and sophisticated matters. He has a magnificent knowledge of international legislation and treaties,” according to Chambers. Chris has strong expertise assisting clients with high-value claims arising from catastrophic incidents, particularly RTAs.

Cheryl Palmer-Hughes is described as “outstanding” and “one of the strongest partners specialising in international injury work. Her expertise in cross-border clinical negligence work is unparalleled”.

Rebecca Huxford is highlighted as a ‘Star Associate’ and is noted for having a “capacity to comprehend extremely complex issues.”. An interviewee said Rebecca is “very smart and attentive; she really cares.”

Legal 500

In the latest guide the International Injury team is top-ranked together with our Aviation team under the Travel section. The guide states that “Stewarts’ travel team are leaders in their field”. Our team has been top-ranked since the category was created.

“Stewarts delivers a service above and beyond expectations,” according to testimonials. Another client described the Stewarts team as “the créme de la créme of the travel and international law personal injury market.”

View our latest entry in The Legal 500 here.

Our international injury specialists

Department head Julian Chamberlayne is a member of Legal 500’s illustrious Hall of Fame, with rankings for Scott Rigby (Leading Partner), Chris Deacon (Leading Partner), Cheryl Palmer-Hughes (Leading Partner) and Rebecca Huxford (Leading Associate).

Julian Chamberlayne has recovered more than £155m for catastrophically injured clients since joining the firm. “Julian Chamberlayne is a legend, responsible for developing this outstanding team,” one source said.

The Legal 500 says Scott Rigby “has the ability to unpick complex jurisdictional issues while providing calm, unwavering support to clients.”

Testimonials have praised Chris Deacon as “an outstanding lawyer who combines an encyclopaedic knowledge of cross-border law with a calm pragmatism as a litigator.”

Cheryl Palmer-Hughes is described as “truly exceptional” and “the key player in the cross-border clinical negligence market. She tackles difficult issues with complete ease and consistently achieves fantastic results for her clients.’

Rebecca Huxford is acclaimed as a leading associate. She is “able to handle the most challenging cross-border litigation with ease,” a market source said.

Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

APIL accreditations provide a quality mark of expertise for solicitors dealing with specialist types of personal injury claims. The accreditation scheme demonstrates that an APIL lawyer has achieved a high standard of: knowledge; understanding; know-how; skill; and behaviour.

Uniquely among law firms in the UK, all our International Injury solicitors now hold the prestigious APIL specialist accreditation for accidents & illnesses abroad. The accreditation, which Chris helped APIL devise, specifically acknowledges that a solicitor is “able to manage and progress a claim arising from an accident or illness abroad, and/or which involves consideration of another jurisdiction and/or a foreign applicable law, so as to establish, assert and enforce, in an effective and efficient manner, the rights of a client damaged or disadvantaged by the negligence or breach of another party.

Julian is also an APIL accredited specialist in Spinal Cord Injury and Fatal Accidents, while Scott is accredited for Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Injury. Chris is an accredited Spinal Cord Injury specialist and former coordinator of the APIL International Special Interest Group, responsible for co-ordinating APIL’s Accidents Abroad conference. Rebecca Huxford has recently replaced Chris as co-ordinator.

FOCIS

The Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors (FOCIS) is Chaired by our head of department Julian Chamberlayne.

FOCIS is a group of pre-eminent solicitors (including 8 past Presidents of APIL) who specialise in acting for seriously injured people in personal injury and clinical negligence claim.  The objectives of FOCIS include lobbying to increase understanding in the wider community of issues which arise for those who suffer life-changing injury, and promoting the highest standards of representation for claimants with life-changing injuries.

View the FOCIS website here.