A legal conference being staged by Hull-based Hudgell Solicitors is to provide ‘essential industry leading medical and legal insights’ into ‘the ever-changing role and requirements of medical negligence lawyers.’
Having staged its first conference last year solely for its own members of staff, Hudgells is opening up its 2023 Clinical Negligence Conference to delegates from other law firms across the region which operate in the same claims sector.
It will see medical experts, who are recognised leaders in their field, talk about standards and guidelines relating to treatment of a wide range of conditions including stroke and kidney disease as well as maternity care, and the role of psychiatry services.
Legal experts, including leading barristers, will also cover the impact of changes in the law and the civil procedure rules whilst also covering issues such as managing cases through the damages claims portal and the impact of forthcoming fixed costs reforms on medical negligence cases.
“We’ve tried to make sure we are providing a programme which covers a broad spectrum of medical and legal topics and issues which are relevant to all medical negligence lawyers, led by true leaders in their fields,” said principal solicitor Elizabeth Maliakal, who heads up the team organising the event for Hudgells.
Speakers at the 2023 Hudgell Solicitors Clinical Negligence Conference
“We held our first Clinical Negligence Conference in Hull last year, just for our own team, and everybody involved thought it was a great success. Our team certainly took away many vital learnings, and made new contacts which have helped them greatly in their work over the past 12 months.
“When it came to planning for this year, we wanted to build on that success and we have worked hard to secure a strong line-up of speakers.
“We took the decision to invite others who work in medical negligence, from across Hull and Yorkshire, as we are passionate about making a positive difference to our legal communities through the work we do.
“Our work should impact beyond our own clients, and we feel it is important to share the opportunity to gain knowledge across the sector, as that helps improve the legal offering for clinical negligence clients across the region.
“We see many similar conferences being held by law firms in London, Leeds and Manchester, but not in Hull, so we wanted to make this conference available to law firms in the Hull area free of charge.
“We are very grateful to the medical experts who are giving their time to come to Hull to offer an insight into their work. This event will focus on helping medical negligence lawyers, when considering potential future cases, and in managing existing cases successfully for their clients.”
Speakers often instructed to give expert opinions on legal cases
Speakers confirmed include Medway NHS Foundation Trust Medical Director Dr David Sulch, a consultant specialising in stroke medicine since 2001.
He has extensive experience in the management of stroke and general medical patients and the preparation of medicolegal reports relating to claims involving standards of care.
Mr Jeremy Brockelsby, a consultant in feto-maternal medicine and obstetrics, is to give a presentation around the decision-making for maternity units for cesarean sections – an issue often central to claims related to birth injury.
He has extensive experience in various aspects of ultrasound scanning including early pregnancy assessment of viability and complex fetal assessments and is called upon as an independent expert witness in many legal cases relating to medical negligence during pregnancy, labour and birth.
Continuing the insights from the medical profession will be consultant nephrologist Dr Peter Dupont, whose NHS work encompasses chronic kidney disease, dialysis treatment, kidney medicine and transplantation. He too is vastly experienced in medico-legal practice.
From the legal sector, Parkland Plowden Chambers’ Abigail Telford, who is described as a ‘a fantastic barrister who is very reliable and thorough’ by the leading Legal 500 guide, and Adam Walker, of 7 Bedford Row Chambers, will provide updates reflecting upon recent cases of significance, and changes in practice and procedure impacting all medical negligence lawyers.
Three members of the Hudgell Solicitors’ own team will also present, with National Head of Costs Jeremy Smith providing an update and reflection on fixed costs reforms, Professional Deputy, Attorney and Trustee Eve Carter focusing on Court of Protection and Deputyships and Head of Corporate Services John Cuss speaking on Civil Procedure Rules and the Damages Claims Portal.
Rachel Di Clemente, chief executive of Hudgell Solicitors, said: “I am very grateful to our colleagues and our external speakers who have dedicated their time to making this happen. Hudgells are passionate about collaborating with fellow firms of solicitors and so it is great to see people registering to join us for this occasion.
“This is an opportunity for lawyers from our region to come together, hear from an impressive line-up of clinical negligence experts, and to network and help each other improve how we support clients. We hope it is the first of many such events.”
The conference is being held at The Edge, Hub, in Myton St, HU1 2PS, on Thursday 5th October 2023, from 9.30am to 4.45pm. The event is free to attend but pre-registration is required. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Book your place here or email exw@hudgellsolicitors.co.uk
