1 Chancery Lane supports The Claims Conference 2018

On 28^th February 2018 members of 1 Chancery Lane were involved in speaking at The Claims Conference, in Manchester. Chaired by 1 Chancery Lane’s Head of Chambers, Simon Readhead QC, the day involved talks and panel discussions before an audience of claimant and defendant lawyers, as well as claims management professionals, accident management specialists and medical professionals.

Conference Chair, Simon Readhead QC said: “This is an important moment in Clinical Negligence. The theme, this year, [was] ‘costs’ and we [had] an excellent programme addressing the key issues – are costs rising too fast, if they are who is to blame and what can be done about them.”

Edward Faulks QC, also from 1 Chancery Lane, opened the conference with a keynote speech addressing the question ‘Clinical Negligence – has it got out of hand’.

1 Chancery Lane’s Lisa Dobie spoke on a panel later in the day, discussing ‘Will a rise in healthcare costs lead to a rise in claims’. She participated alongside Mike McKenna of Hill Dickinson and Claire Petts of Clyde & Co.

The overarching feedback from the event was that it brought a positive and interesting view on the traditionally adversarial defendant and claimant lawyer positions. With speakers and audience members from ‘both sides of the table’, attendees commented on the balanced arguments, open discussions and valuable interaction.

Peter Walsh, of AvMA, also presenting on the day, commented that it was striking how much in common the defendant and claimant sides of the legal profession seemed to have on the day. In particular, he commented, “It’s about the people who are harmed – quite avoidably. Not just about the lawyers”. The discussion continued with agreement that, ultimately, everyone’s work is about “being able to reduce error and make patients safer”.

The day was particularly noted, by attendees, for the strong balance between discussion and training. With well-respected individuals from across the sector, including speakers from the House of Lords and counsel, delegates commented on the level of expertise in the room, as well as the balanced way in which grounded, expert views were being shared by people that “really understand what’s important in the industry at the moment”.

Simon Readhead QC, concluded by saying: “I never go to a conference like this without coming away having learnt something I didn’t know before”.

1 Chancery Lane was delighted to have been invited to take part in this event, working with the events team at Claims Magazine and Barker Brooks.

You can view the full programme here and a short video, summarising the 2018 event here.