Chambers 2012 and Legal 500 2011

 

The 2012 edition of the leading law guide, Chambers and Partners, has again given top rankings to John Pickering and Partners LLP.

 

The firm is ranked in the top nationwide bracket for firms who specialise in doing industrial disease claims under the category “Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: Industrial Disease: UK-wide.”

 

The law guide says in relation to the nationwide industrial disease category:

 

            “John Pickering and Partners is nationally recognised as a dedicated industrial disease firm, and it is admired by clients for its professionalism and compassion. With offices in Liverpool, Manchester and Halifax, the team takes on a significant volume of asbestos-related illness claims for individuals on a local, national and international basis. The firm's impressive and long track record in such matters has led to its involvement in landmark asbestos litigation cases in the House of Lords and Supreme Court. The firm's recent test case in the Supreme Court, Dianne Willmore v Knowsley MBC, concerned the claimant's exposure to asbestos whilst at school.

 

            KEY INDIVIDUALS Carolann Hepworth is a key contact in Manchester.”

 

Chambers also ranks the firm highly under the category “Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: North West” saying:

 

            “John Pickering and Partners is a niche practice which enjoys a fantastic reputation for its excellent work on industrial disease and asbestos-related claims. The team has "the expertise to put clients at ease and the knowledge to answer any queries" and is widely praised for being "very professional but at the same time caring." The team has a huge depth of experience and has conducted landmark asbestos litigation at the highest level.

 

            KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing the Liverpool office, Kevin Johnson is "hard-working with great judgement" and has extensive experience of asbestos-related claims. His colleague Carolann Hepworth heads the Manchester office and is also a highly experienced asbestos litigator. She is known for taking highly complex mesothelioma test cases through the courts.”

 

Our Halifax office also received praise from under the category Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: Yorkshire.  The Chambers 2012 guide states:

 

            “This firm's long-standing reputation in industrial disease cases goes from strength to strength.  Sources praise the firm's high standards and "years of experience" litigating asbestos disease cases. Consequently, the firm has been involved in many of the landmark cases in the House of Lords and Supreme Court. The firm's Halifax office works closely with those in Manchester and Liverpool.

 

            KEY INDIVIDUALS Halifax-based Ruth Davies is a noted name in the field with "vast amount of knowledge." She is praised by clients as "very professional, courteous and understanding." She has been playing a key part in Dianne Willmore v Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, a test case in the Supreme Court concerning low-level mesothelioma claims

 

The firm also received recognition from the Legal 500 guide which ranked the firm highly in the north west category for firms who carry out claimant personal injury work and also in the category for carrying out claimant clinical negligence work in the north west.  The current edition of the guide states:

 

            “John Pickering and Partners LLP has a long history in the area of industrial disease, and has acted on several high-profile asbestos test cases. Kevin Johnson is the contact in Liverpool, and Neil Fisher is the name to note in Manchester.”

 

 

Chambers and Partners 2011

 

The 2011 edition of the leading law guide, Chambers and Partners, has again given top rankings to John Pickering and Partners LLP.  The firm is ranked in the top nationwide bracket for firms who specialise in doing industrial disease claims under the category “Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: Industrial Disease: UK-wide.”

 

The guide also ranks the firm as the joint number 1 law firm for personal injury claims in the north-west under the category “Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: North-West.”

 

The law guide says in relation to the nationwide industrial disease category:

 

“[The firm]...is a giant of the industrial disease world, with a specific focus upon asbestos related-claims” and that “.the team regularly takes on ground-breaking  litigation” and “...regularly take on a campaigning role, including lobbying the  government.”  It notes that “The firm has also established a charitable trust to transfer a proportion of its profits to asbestos-related causes.”

 

In relation to the number 1 ranking for personal injury work in the north-west the guide states:

 

“John Pickering has established itself as a market-leading firm at the forefront of industrial disease matters in the North-West and nationwide.  The team acts for national and international claimants in all manner of asbestos-related cases.” 

 

Client Service "We have found the company to be very professional and they exhaust all avenues to conclude a successful claim. The staff are easy to deal with and we are confident in their expertise."

 

Carolann Hepworth and Kevin Johnson are both ranked as leading individuals by the law guide.

 

Legal 500 2010

The 2010 edition of the law firm guide, The Legal 500, commends the firm for the work it does on behalf of asbestos sufferers in the north-west saying:-

 

“John Pickering and Partners LLP is pre-eminent in asbestos cases; the partners ‘know asbestos disease claims inside out’. Ground-breaking litigation in 2009 included success at the Court of Appeal for Mrs Willmore, who contracted mesothelioma during her time at school in Knowsley. The team is ‘genuinely specialist’ and has ‘real compassion for its clients’. Kevin Johnson, Neil Fisher and Carolann Hepworth are all recommended.”

 

The guide also rates the firm for its clinical negligence work on behalf of victims of medical accidents from its Liverpool and Manchester offices.  The firm is the highest ranked practice for claimant clinical negligence work in the Liverpool area.  The guide particularly praises the firm for the personal service it offers to its clients.

 

Chambers and Partners 2010

The 2010 edition of the leading legal guide, Chambers and Partners, has again ranked John Pickering and Partners LLP in the top national category for law firms who act for people suffering from disease and illnesses caused by their work.  The firm is top ranked in the category “Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: Industrial Disease: London & UK-wide.”

 

The firm is also highly ranked in the regional north-west category for doing claimant personal injury work.

 

The law guide says:

 

“THE FIRM-   John Pickering has developed an unbeatable reputation in industrial disease cases.”

 

Sources Say: "If I had an asbestos case I would go to John Pickering – I can't think of another firm in the country that comes close."

 

The firm is also ranked in the regional Yorkshire category for Claimant personal injury work. 

 

The Halifax Office: It fields a formidable practice in Halifax.  

 

Clients report - Ruth Davies is known for her “professional, courteous and understanding manner”.

 

Chambers and Partners 2009

The 2009 edition of Chambers Legal Directory has ranked John Pickering and Partners LLP, in the top tier of industrial disease firms along with 2 other national firms.  The firm is top ranked in the category of “Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: Industrial Disease (Best of the UK).”

 

The firm is also highly ranked in the regional north-west category for doing claimant personal injury work.

 

The directory says:

 

This “established firm with an enviable reputation” is acclaimed for its track record and expertise in leading many important industrial disease cases. Acting only on behalf of claimants and exclusively in niche occupational asthma, asbestos and other disease claims, it receives praise for its “ground-breaking work and straightforward, dedicated approach.” In the words of one observer: “The fact that all the partners are ‘hands-on’ asbestos claim litigators is a real strength as it ensures quality in every case.”  The firm is known for its union work, and partner Kevin Johnson retains his reputation as a pre-eminent practitioner in the field.

 

Chambers and Partners 2008

John Pickering & Partners LLP has been ranked as one of the ‘Best of the UK’ for industrial disease litigation in the respected client law guide, Chambers 2008.

 

The guide states…

 

The Firm: This firm secures a place in Chambers’ tables thanks largely to its involvement in some landmark personal injury cases. For example, the team was actively employed in the pleural plaques test litigation. The firm specialises in industrial disease cases and with three offices in the North West it has the region covered for this area of work. It acts across the UK and is developing an international practice, helping clients as far away as Malta and New Zealand. Commentators say: “Their expertise and understanding of the law sets them apart.” Kevin Johnson is the leading light at the firm, operating out of the Liverpool office.

 

"..has a formidable track record in industrial disease claims, particularly claims relating to asbestos and occupational asthma" (Legal 500, 2007)

In 2007 we were awarded a prize from Liverpool Law Society of Specialist law Firm of the Year.  The nomination stated:

 

 “John Pickering and Partners is a niche personal injury practice specialising in asbestos related disease claims, acting only for claimants.  They have been involved in numerous high profile cases and the successful lobbying, together with others, of the Government to include an amendment to the Compensation Act 2006.  This legislative change reversed the effect of a decision of the House of Lords in the case of Sylvia Barker v Corus UK Plc.”

 

Please click here for further details about the award.

"The leading firm for asbestos in the North” (Chambers Legal Directory)

“Researchers were left in no doubt as to the pre-eminence of this firm in the field of Industrial Disease.” (Chambers Legal Directory)

What our clients say:-

 

Mr A says: "On behalf of my mother and rest of family I would like to thank you for your time and effort in dealing with our case.  Your professionalism was impeccable and thanks once again for offering your extraordinary services to us".

 

'Mr Roberts says: Absolutely first class service, could not ask for more. The advice received was “second to none” very friendly and helpful staff. I am one very grateful client. Thank you so much'

 

'Mr M was delighted with the settlement.  He rang me to say how pleased he was.  He intends to use the money to make their home more comfortable for his disabled wife.'

 

"Thank you so much from me, my mother and my family. You have done a great job and I cannot think of enough words or the right words to tell you how much we appreciate what you have done for us. It won't bring my father back but I am sure he is looking down at us and you with a smile." (Mr T)

 

"Once again please accept my grateful thanks for the efforts that you have made on my behalf and for this very successful conclusion. I am happy for you to add this case to your long list of successful endeavours. In fact, I have already referred an acquaintance to John Pickering and Partners to pursue a similar case of their own." (Mrs M)

 

"I would just like to say a big thank you to all who were involved in the case, and worked so hard on my behalf. I am very pleased it's all over now, and I feel I can put my husband to rest, and hopefully start to get on with my life. Thank you so very much." (Mrs T and Family)

"Thank you so much for all the help and guidance over my recent claim for compensation. I am grateful for the speedy conclusion and for the amount of compensation I was awarded. (Mrs P)

 

"Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in during my compensation claim. A replacement for my old car will now enable me to continue my daily visits to the nursing home." (Molly)

 

"I am writing to acknowledge your cheque which arrived Saturday. May I thank you for all the help and guidance you have given - I never really expected a successful outcome due to the time span. Frank would have been delighted I am sure." (Mrs S)

 

"We should like to thank you very much for your help in gaining compensation for Cohn's illness. We appreciate greatly the way in which the claim was dealt and the swiftness of the outcome. The money will be used to make life easier for Cohn by putting in a downstairs cloakroom and having fun once Cohn is out of hospital and feeling better." (J W)

 

"May I offer our sincerest thanks and appreciation for all the time and industry you've given to my case and congratulate you on what I consider a very successful outcome." (Mr 0)

 

"There are so few words to express my sincere thanks to you in particular, but also your staff, for your patience kindness and ultimate success during what has been a difficult time for my family and myself." (Mrs S)

 

 

Our client Edwin Matthews developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos with several employers. Mr Matthews won his case in the High Court but then had to take his case to the Law Lords before receiving his compensation.

 

Mathabatha client, Limpopo Province, South Africa