Seasoned courtroom combatants Bertie Leigh and Russell Levy are calling a ceasefire to tackle the problems of the system governing clinical negligence claims in the healthcare sector.
Bertie, senior partner with Hempsons and renowned advocate for NHS bodies and professional medical organisations, and Russell, head of clinical negligence with Leigh Day & Co, known as one of the most formidable claimant lawyers on clinical negligence, are combining their sector-leading expertise on the board of CDF – the Clinical Disputes Forum - the national body responsible for sorting out wrinkles in the legal system for resolving disputes between doctors and hospitals and patients.
Bertie Leigh has been elected Chair of the CDF and Russell Levy has become the Hon Secretary with equal status.
“After 20 years it has become something of a habit to disagree with Russell, often quite vehemently, but I’m sure we can put that passion to constructive use,” said Bertie. “The CDF was founded by my sister Sarah, who was Russell’s Senior Partner, in the 1990’s to help to implement the Woolf reforms, and it seems to me appropriate that we should take over leading it at a time when we are all anticipating Lord Justice Jackson’s Report on legal costs. We are hoping to host a series of meetings next year on various aspects of his proposals and I’m looking forward to working alongside Russell to address the issues it faces.”
Russell Levy adds: “Bertie and I have locked horns on numerous occasions on specific cases and I’m sure will continue to do so, but sorting out the mechanics of the process is common ground. We want to ensure that the system governing clinical negligence claims meets those same high standards and works fairly for both patients and healthcare providers.”
Their first project will be a major meeting on 18 November looking at the question of Public Inquiries – are there too many of them and are they too expensive? Participants will include those who have taken part in several of the high profile public Inquiries held over the last 10 years.
One person who will monitor the collaboration with particular pride is the eminent Sarah Leigh OBE, erstwhile senior partner of Leigh Day & Co – and Bertie Leigh’s sister.
Information was correct at time of publishing. See terms and conditions for further details.