Hudgell Solicitors moves into new London offices and recruits top clinical negligence lawyer

Hudgell Solicitors has bought new offices in London’s Fleet Street and added a another leading legal figure to its team.

The medical negligence and personal injury specialist firm has transferred its operation in the capital into new premises three years after first venturing down south. It said that the purchase of the office, just minutes from The Royal Courts of Justice, is part of a long-term strategy to become a national leader in the clinical negligence sector.

It has also confirmed the arrival of former Irwin Mitchell partner Amanda Stevens, who has an established reputation as an eminent practitioner in both clinical negligence and personal injury. Stevens is currently the chair of the Civil Procedure Rule sub-committee, which is tasked with drafting court rules for fixed recoverable costs in clinical negligence cases. She was the claimant spokesperson responsible for drafting the 2007 National Rehabilitation Code, used by solicitors and insurance claims handlers, and chair of the Project Steering Group overseeing the publication of the much revised 2015 Rehabilitation Code.

Stevens has also been the President of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is an assessor for APIL’s specialist brain injury and clinical negligence accreditation schemes. She was also recently appointed as a Deputy High Court Master.

Managing director Neil Hudgell said that the firm’s focus in London remained on securing high-value work.

“This is a significant step forward for our business in London, as the purchase of these new premises has come on the back of a successful first three years based in the capital,” he said.

“In those three years we have been able to establish a reputation in London as serious personal injury and medical negligence specialists, who importantly not only have a track record of securing high-value settlements, but also importantly provide a rehabilitation led service to all clients.

“We have worked hard to raise the profile of the firm in the capital over the past 12 months, which we are certainly now seeing the benefits of, but the key to further establishing ourselves in the market is retaining and attracting the very best legal talent.

“The fact that we have bought these premises is an indication not only of our confidence, but also our commitment to becoming recognised in as one London’s leading players, as we believe we bring something extra to the market in terms of our client care.

Hudgell added that the firm’s success was built on its foundations in Hull and Leeds, where he said it had ambitious plans for further growth in the years to come.

Hudgell Solicitors represented more than 10,000 clients across offices in Hull, Leeds and London in 2015.

Mark Dugdale