Chambers UK 2009

Once again law firm Leigh Day & Co has been ranked highly in all its main categories of work by Chambers UK guide to the legal profession 2009.   The rankings and editorial comment about lawyers are independent and objective. Inclusion in this section of the guide is based solely on the research team's findings who talk to more than 5,500 clients, and 5,000 solicitors.  More partners than ever are mentioned by name indicating that they are respected as being practitioners of the very best.  Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1-6, with 1 being the best.

Administrative and public law - Band 1

Highly acclaimed in the medical sector, this firm also has a burgeoning administrative and public law practice. “You have to take Leigh Day & Co seriously,” say market commentators, asserting: “Its lawyers are truly exceptional, and very imaginative about the work they take on and how to approach it. They think outside the box and are constantly looking to move the boundaries of public law forward.” Clients say: “The lawyers are sympathetic to our needs, their presentations are always immaculate and, most importantly, they get results.”

Individuals: Richard Stein - band 1; Sean Humber - band 4; Jamie Beagent - up and coming.

Civil liberties - Band 2

This firm takes on a wide range of work, and is committed to “creatively and courageously exploring the boundaries of the Human Rights Act.” One interviewee explained: “The lawyers’ ability to take on high risk cases is part of the firm’s ethos, part and parcel of what it does.” The firm also has “the firepower to deliver - it has excellent expertise and has produced some terrific results.”

Individuals: Richard Stein - band 1; Frances Swaine - band 3; Prison law: Sean Humber - band 2

Clinical negligence - Band 1

“This firm's concentration of experts and uniformly excellent outlook puts it firmly among the best in its field,” enthuse market sources. The team boasts “outstanding experience and proficiency” and is well known for “its family atmosphere and hands-on approach.” Its busy caseload includes multimillion-pound settlements for clients in a range of serious injury cases and specialised issues such as delayed diagnosis, hospital acquired infection, birth injuries to mother and child and neurological cases; an after-the-event insurance facility is also provided.

Individuals: Anne Winyard and Claire Fazan - star performers; Russell Levy and Henry Dyson - band 1; Olive Lewin and Frances Swaine - band 2; Sally Jean Nicholes - band 3.

Environment - Band 1

A well-reputed leader when it comes to large environmental group actions and personal injury claims, Leigh Day is also receiving its fair share of public law work in the sector.  Such activity has included representing non-governmental organisations and charities in judicial review proceedings, where the team has lately been focusing on issues relating to the smoking ban.  The lawyers also successfully challenged the DoH in its failure to release information and consult on proposed changes to advice on killing e-coli in food.  However, it is the group’s representation as a heavyweight claimant’s outfit that has led to its involvement in as assortment of high-profile international matters.  During the past year the lawyers have acted for thousands of individuals based in Côte D’Ivoire claiming to have been injured by toxic waste discharged by a British-owned vessel.  Martyn Day is widely considered “a legend in his own right” and peers place him on the highest pedestal for his work on toxic tort and environment-linked cases. 

Individuals: Martyn Day - band 1; Richard Stein and Sean Humber - band 2

Personal injury - Band 1

“A dedicated, ambitious and extremely focused group” with a strong reputation in high-value catastrophic injury cases, the team here handles travel, workplace and sports accidents, as well as disease-related work. It has also taken on a number of significant group claims: parties affected by the Porton Down nerve gas experiments, Buncefield oil depot explosion and Northwick Park drug trials have all been represented by the firm. Sally Moore continues her fine work, impressing observers with “insightful leadership and proactive handling of complex cases.” She takes on a variety of catastrophic injury cases. Daniel Easton is praised by clients for his “genuine care and sensitivity towards the cases” as well as his “clear levels of expertise and prompt responses.” 

Individuals: Martyn Day and Sally Moore - band 1; Daniel Easton - up and coming

Product liability - Band 1

This heavyweight claimant firm has a well-deserved reputation in the field. Senior partner Martyn Day has been instrumental in cementing this reputation and is extremely highly regarded, especially for his ability to handle complicated scientific issues. He recently led the team in concluding major hip-replacement litigation, and he continues to play a key role in the high-profile VIOXX litigation. Day and two other partners operate from London and receive ample praise from clients: “We were so lucky to find this firm - it certainly knows what it’s doing when it comes to product liability claims.”

Individuals: Martyn Day - band 1

Travel - Band 3

It has scored several notable victories against overseas defendants, especially governmental bodies and large corporations.  The team is recognised for “really pushing the envelope” in high-profile cases, and also works on asbestos claims and group actions abroad.