Hudgell Solicitors’ commitment to righting wrongs on behalf of those who suffer injustice or lose loved ones in tragic circumstances has been recognised in the 2024 edition of a guide which ranks the UK’s leading lawyers and firms.
Chambers and Partners has highlighted the work of our growing Public Inquires and Inquests departments, which are included in listings for the first time.
The guide is produced from extensive research which takes into account feedback from those within the legal sector, as well as clients who are asked about their experiences of being legally represented.
It is considered to be amongst the most thorough and independent legal guides, ranking and listing legal departments and lawyers in six ‘bands’ (band 1 being the highest).
Inclusion at any level is considered a significant achievement and a mark of excellence, demonstrating that a firm has stood out in rigorous, independent and in-depth research and emerged as one of the best in the field nationally.
Band 1 and 2 rankings secured
Hudgells has strengthened its placings from last year, with our Public Inquires and Inquests departments featured for the first time, and each awarded ‘band 2’ rankings.
Executive chairman Neil Hudgell has been awarded a ‘Band 1’ ranking for representing families at Inquests. His recent work has included representing the family of Lewis Skelton from Hull, alongside solicitor Leanne Windass. A jury found Mr Skelton was unlawfully killed when shot by an officer from Humberside Police, a verdict which was then upheld at a Judicial Review.
Mr Hudgell also represented the family of Jack Barnes, from Hull, at inquest, alongside solicitor Lauren Dale. This was a case which again saw a jury return a verdict of unlawful killing. Following the inquest, and further legal representations by Mr Hudgell, four men involved in detaining Mr Barnes at Manchester Victoria Station were charged with offences relating to his death.
Vicky Richardson, Head of Civil Liberties, is ranked as a Band 2 lawyer for inquests, whilst Terry Wilcox, Manager of Public Inquiries, is also awarded a Band 2 ranking.
A Band 2 department ranking for the firm’s Public Inquiries department follows work representing families who lost loved ones at the Manchester Arena Inquiry, former subpostmasters at the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry and in representing groups of people injured after having vaccinations at the Covid-19 Inquiry.
Hudgells are once again included in the section for Clinical Negligence in Yorkshire (Band 2) and for Travel claims UK wide (Band 3).
Hull-based Chris Moore, joint national head of clinical negligence, retains his Band 2 ranking, whilst department members Helena Wood and Michelle Tebbutt are listed as ‘associates to watch’ – inclusion in recognition for their work on major cases.
Maria Repanos, Head of Clinical Negligence in Manchester, is listed in Band 3 of lawyers, whilst also in our Manchester office, Paul McClorry, head of travel litigation, rises to a Band 1 position, a reflection of his standing as a leading lawyer in the field of supporting people who suffer serious injuries abroad.
Rankings reflect ‘significance of work’
Chief executive Rachel Di Clemente says she is delighted with the rankings, which build upon strong positions awarded by the Legal 500 guide earlier this month.
“Rankings in these guides do not come easy, nor does climbing to higher positions, so it’s great to see so many of our departments and individuals doing so well,” she said.
“Our Civil Liberties team has worked incredibly hard over the past few years, growing a team from scratch and helping to put the North of England on the map for Inquests and Public Inquiries. They are such a dedicated and hard-working team and I am unashamedly as proud as punch of their work and achievements, which have been rightfully recognised.”