3PB pupil barrister Jack Felvus and specialist clinical negligence barrister Hamish Dunlop have written a case summary where the Supreme Court judgment provided clarity in secondary victim claims made in a clinical negligence context.
Clerks Details
- Clerk Name: Robert Leonard
- Clerk Telephone: 0330 332 0773
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
- Clerk Name: Abi Griffin
- Clerk Telephone: 01202 292102
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
Clinical Negligence
Hamish is an experienced personal injury and clinical negligence barrister who enjoys a formidable reputation for his expertise and client friendly manner. He advises and represents clients on a range of personal injury and clinical negligence claims, involving both serious injury and death. His practice includes high value and sometimes high profile claims and he advises on personal and medical short term and long term care and life time housing requirements where appropriate.
He also undertakes product liability claims. Hamish is experienced in claims involving: housing requirements; lifetime care and complex dependency claims. As an ancillary relief practitioner, he has a particular specialism for dependency claims by wives; partners and children.
Regarding his clinical negligence, advice has included failures in GP referrals leading to: cauda equina lesions; subarachnoid haemorrhage; and limb amputations. His claims against hospital specialists have included A&E Departments; obstetrics; orthopaedic and general surgery. Until 26, Hamish sat as a legal assessor for the Nursing and Midwifery Council Disciplinary Committees.
Recent cases
- RS v Hospital NHS Trust. Negligent hospital treatment around the time of the Claimant’s birth, resulting in brain injury and disability: developmental delay; epilepsy and significant visual impairment. Liability admitted, valued at £30M. Extent to which the Claimant would have followed their parent’s professional career to be examined.
- KH v Hospitals NHS Trust. Negligent L4-S1 Spinal Fusion procedure (‘the fusion surgery’) at the hospital resulting in damaged nerve root, nerve root pain and foot drop. Unwarranted delay in exploring and draining a haematoma developed during Revision Surgery, which became secondarily infected. Significant symptoms continuously experienced by the Claimant and unnecessary treatment.
- SN v Hospital NHS FT. Failure by the Hospital to carry out routine colonoscopy surveillance in patient diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Development of a tumour of the ileo-caecal valve went undetected and though finally removed and despite chemotherapy treatment, the patient died.
- RB v Hospital NHS FT. Failure by the hospital to carry our careful management and regular colonoscopies in Claimant diagnosed with anal neoplasia II / III (AIN). Further failure by the hospital to refer patient for tests after clinical signs became suspicious. Claimant developed anal cancer which could have been treated earlier with proper management.
- ND v Hospital NHS Trust. Patient admitted to hospital due to cauda equina lesion in her spine. Failure by the hospital to immediately refer the patient to an Orthopaedic Department for further investigation and treatment, despite obvious symptoms. Wrong discharge from the hospital, after which the Claimant’s progressed and she suffered deterioration in her condition.
- PG v Hospital NHS Trust. PG suffers from a constitutional degenerative disorder of the lumbar spine. Failure by hospital to refer patient to specialist department despite symptoms consistent with a cauda equina syndrome (‘CES’), leading to deterioration of their condition, which then required L4/5 decompression / discectomy procedure to relieve the CES.
- KD v Hospitals NHS FT. 20 year old Claimant diagnosed with indeterminate colitis. Failure by hospital to monitor toxicity of patient’s treatment with Mesalazine. Claimant suffered interstitial nephritis as a result, leading to renal impairment. The Claimant will suffer end-stage renal failure which will require a live-donor transplant.
- JN v University Hospital NHS Trust. Following unavoidable complications suffered during a surgical decompression procedure at L2/3 to L4/5 (‘the surgery’) the hospital failed to closely monitor the Claimant’s neurological status after the operation. Claimant developed neurological symptoms including: loss of perineal sensation; loss of bowel function and impairment of bladder function. The Claimant thereby suffered an avoidable deterioration in her neurology; unnecessary pain and consequential losses.
- MW v NHS FT Hospitals. Failure by hospitals to twice diagnose an identifiable rupture to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Damaging referral for physiotherapy. Sustained unnecessary injury and avoidable losses.
- CD v NHS Hospital Trust. Sub-standard treatment provided to a young patient during spinal surgery and post-operatively. The failures led to a significant loss of lower limb function and permanent pain.
- AB v NHS Hospital Trust. Failure adequately to remove all products of conception following a birth by Caesarean section. The Claimant ultimately required a total abdominal hysterectomy, substantial urinary and bowel symptoms.
- M v Dr C and NHS Direct. Failed diagnosis by NHS Call Direct GP and nurse. They both failed to diagnose a subdural haematoma which led to an aneurysm and very significantly cognitive and functional impairment. The Claimant requires long term care in a residential setting.
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Articles -
Paul and Another v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust [2024] UKSC 1: A Case Summary
12th Mar 2024View Article -
The patient's right of autonomy Montgomery v Lanarkshire health board ([2015] UKSC 11])
2nd Sep 2016View ArticleHamish Dunlop's briefing on recent SC case of Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board ([2015] UKSC 11])
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Recommendations Hamish Dunlop heads the sub-set and focuses his practice on all financial cases arising from the dissolution of relationships, including hereditary cases and Schedule 1 matters. His particular areas of expertise include cases involving family businesses and property-based assets.
Strengths: “He's very well prepared and has an eye for detail and a nice client manner. He is a very good advocate with a nice forensic mind.”Chambers UK 2024/Family/Matrimonial Finance/London Bar
Hamish Dunlop is head of the family finance group at 3PB and an authority in the field of finance-based family law. He routinely assists with cases involving land ownership, properties, businesses and inherited wealth.
Strengths: “Hamish is very experienced and his client care skills are no doubt second to none.”
“He's a smooth advocate.”
“He has a nice forensic mind, is excellent and persistent about the right points.”
“Hamish Dunlop is very well prepared, with an eye for detail.”Chambers UK 2024/Family/Matrimonial Finance/Western Bar
Hamish Dunlop continues to manage a broad clinical negligence practice that encompasses cases concerning obstetric and orthopaedic injuries, including negligence stemming from general surgery. He offers a wealth of experience in complex dependency claims, as well as claims involving housing requirements and lifetime care.
Strengths: “Hamish is a charming and persuasive advocate.”Chambers UK 2024/Clinical Negligence/Western Bar
Hamish Dunlop heads the sub-set and focuses his practice on all financial cases arising from the dissolution of relationships, including hereditary cases and Schedule 1 matters. His particular areas of expertise include cases involving family businesses and property-based assets.
Strengths: “He's got huge experience and a very sensible manner; clients feel very comfortable with him. A personable, measured, diligent and impressive barrister.”
“Hamish Dunlop is always courteous, insightful and never rushed. A joy to work with as an instructing solicitor, he is popular with judges and well respected by other advocates.”Chambers UK 2023/Family/Matrimonial Finance/London Bar
Hamish Dunlop is head of the family finance group at 3PB and an authority in the field of finance-based family law. He routinely assists with cases involving land ownership, properties, businesses and inherited wealth.
Strengths: “Hamish is an exceptional and eloquent advocate. His client manner is superb, and his ability to communicate with the client is very well measured.”
“He is incredibly knowledgeable and thorough.”
“Hamish is an exceptional barrister, especially on technical matters involving complex assets.”Chambers UK 2023/Family/Matrimonial Finance/Western Bar
Strengths: “He has a good eye for detail.”
“Hamish is diligent and thorough in getting to grips with issues in the most complex of clinical negligence cases. He has a friendly and approachable manner with clients.”Chambers UK 2023/Clinical Negligence/Western Bar
Strengths: "He's a good negotiator on matrimonial finance matters."
Chambers UK 2022/Family/Matrimonial Finance/London Bar
Head of the family finance group at 3PB and an authority in the field of finance-based family law. He routinely assists with cases involving land ownership, properties, businesses and inherited wealth. He is noted by sources for his experience in financial proceedings and his court manner.
Strengths: "Hamish is a very thorough and diligent barrister who covers every relevant point meticulously and does not do half-measures." "He is great with clients, has a good eye for detail, flexible in his approach and has real commitment to a case."Chambers UK 2022/Family/Matrimonial Finance/Western Bar
Strengths: "Very personable and good with clients. He sets out a clear and detailed approach to the evidence and issues in a case."
Chambers UK 2022/Clinical Negligence/Western Bar
Strengths: "Supremely clever and a great communicator." "Able to take on board a lot of information in a short amount of time, he is an astute advocate."
Chambers UK 2021/Family/Matrimonial Finance/London Bar
Strengths: "He has an amazing ability to take on board a lot of information in a short amount of time and is such a sharp and astute advocate."
Chambers UK 2021/Family/Matrimonial Finance/Western Bar
Strengths: "He is very user-friendly, approachable and happy to talk through the issues in a case."
Chambers UK 2021/Clinical Negligence/Western Bar
Strengths: "Brilliant in court and knows when to speak and when not to. He's a careful planner, who's meticulous with everything and covers all bases."
Recent work: Appeared in Owens v Owens, representing the respondent husband in a petition for divorce.Chambers UK 2020/Family/Matrimonial Finance/London Bar
Head of the national family group at 3PB and an authority in the field of finance-based family law. He concentrates on litigating claims relating to separation, divorce and inheritance and deals with assets of all kinds, often in multiple jurisdictions. He is noted for his knowledge of wider commercial and military issues.
Strengths: "Hamish Dunlop is a formidable barrister with the ability to think laterally and give practical, simple options in the most complex of cases. He has great attention to detail and is always well prepared. He can cut through the detail and gives pragmatic and sensible advice." "He's very measured and clear in his approach and advice. He is an excellent team player for complex matters requiring careful and considered attention."Chambers UK 2020/Family Matrimonial/Western
Strengths: "He's got a very analytical brain: he tends to cut to the chase and is very good on damages and finances." "He is extremely thorough and very careful in everything he says and does."
Chambers UK 2020/Clinical Negligence
"Hamish is outstanding with numbers; he's like a human calculator." "He is very well prepared, and has a nice client manner and good judgement. He's analytical and possessed of a good mind."
Recent work: Represented the respondent in a petition for divorce in the case of Owens v Owens. After Mrs Owens's appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, the case has now gone to the Supreme Court.Chambers UK 2019/Family Matrimonial Finance/London Bar
"Thorough, meticulous, pragmatic and a great advocate on his feet."
Recent work: Represented the respondent in Owens v Owens, a much-publicised petition for divorce based on allegations of unreasonable behaviour.Chambers UK 2019/Family Matrimonial/Western
"Exceptionally good advocate and very skilled in negotiations." "He is excellent with clients and experts, knowledgeable and experienced in a variety of matters from complex orthopaedic claims to laparoscopic surgery." "Very good in court and does not get fazed if information is provided at the last minute."
Chambers UK 2019/Clinical Negligence
'A popular choice among claimants for challenging cases, he is especially renowned for his strength in cauda equina matters. He also handles catastrophic brain injury and birth injury cases stemming from failures in general practice.'
Strengths: "He's very good at breaking things down and getting to the root of legal and medical issues. In conferences he reins clients in, manages their expectations and explains the area in a way they can understand." "He handles tricky cases very well. He's good with the client and is good on detail."Chambers UK 2018/Clinical Negligence
'Recognised for his approach to complex cases, he demonstrates particular expertise in handling cauda equina matters. He provides additional support on care and housing requirements, as well as on dependency claims.
Strengths: "He is very thorough and approachable." "His real strength is in the testing of evidence. He can focus on factual evidence and chronology very well."Chambers UK 2017/Clinical Negligence
'Has a strong practice focus on clinical negligence work, with complementary experience in the related areas of care and housing requirements for the afflicted. He particularly specialises in dependency claims being brought by spouses, children and partners.
Strengths: "His strengths are the way he handles sensitive clients with serious injuries, emotional clients, and his technical ability." "His attention to detail, responsiveness and client care are the best of the best."'Chambers UK 2016/Clinical Negligence
'Undertakes a wide range of work, with proficiency in cases relating to accommodation needs and lifetime care. In addition, he specialises in dependency claims brought forward by partners and children.
Expertise: "He's extremely user-friendly and clicks very well with clients."'Chambers UK 2015/Clinical Negligence
'...barrister with a significant reputation in the field. He is noted for his expertise in high-value serious injury and fatality claims.
Expertise: “He has extreme attention to detail and exceptional client care skills.” “He is brilliant. I always recommend him as my first choice for clients.”'Chambers UK 2014/Clinical Negligence
Hamish Dunlop, with particular expertise in cases involving family businesses and inherited wealth, has a ‘very persuasive manner in court’.
‘Hamish is well-prepared, takes a pragmatic approach and his delivery is always spot on. He is a smooth operator and a real star in his field.’
Legal 500 2024/Family/Divorce and Financial Remedy)/Western Circuit - Tier 1
3PB ‘Hamish is a strong advocate who is entirely comfortable in front of any judge at any level. He is persuasive and authoritative, and his gravitas earns him the respect of the bench and opponents alike.’
Legal 500 2024/Family (Including Divorce and Financial Remedy)/London Bar
The ‘precise, insightful, and organised‘ Hamish Dunlop is regularly instructed in relation to high-value and medically complex claims and has recently acted in cases concerning the failure to identify and adequately treat the onset of such life-changing conditions as cauda equina lesions and subarachnoid haemorrhages.
‘He is personable and tactful with clients and diligent and committed to achieving the best outcome.'
Legal 500 2024/Clinical Negligence/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit - Tier 1
The ‘strong advocate‘ Hamish Dunlop is instructed in cases involving negligent surgical procedures, missed or delayed diagnoses, and cerebral palsy.
'Hamish is diligent and calm, and has a very good manner of dealing with clients and experts. He is logical, personable, approachable, and knowledgeable.'
Legal 500 2023/Clinical Negligence/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit - Tier 1
Family finance team head Hamish Dunlop is ‘always exceptionally well-prepared‘, with an excellent track record in advising on complex matrimonial finance cases.
'Hamish can charm the birds from the trees. His empathy and ability to deal with emotional clients is brilliant. He is caring, kind and considerate, but can deliver firm advice robustly yet sensitively. His knowledge of the law is formidable, and his attention to detail is fabulous. It is clear that he is always prepared.'
Legal 500 2023/Family/Divorce and Financial Remedy)/Western Circuit - Tier 1
‘Hamish is a superb advocate. He juggles complex facts with ease and exudes confidence in court.’
Legal 500 2023/Family (Including Divorce and Financial Remedy)/London Bar
‘He has a meticulous eye, and handles complex issues in a way clients understand.’
Legal 500 2022/Clinical Negligence/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit
‘Hamish is a very capable advocate who maintains his composure in pressurised situations. His technical ability and analysis of complex matters is first-rate. ’
Legal 500 2022/Family (Including Divorce and Financial Remedy)/London Bar
‘ Hamish brings a wealth of legal experience when dealing with financial matters. Clients are immediately put at ease by his knowledge but also by his warm and friendly disposition. ’
Legal 500 2022/Family/Divorce and Financial Remedy)/Western Circuit
‘Hamish has a real eye for detail and is excellent with clients. He is excellent on financial divorce cases and TOLATA, one of the teams go to barristers. Very clear, excellent advocate, fantastic preparation and a sparkling personality.’
"Hamish Dunlop is noted for his expertise in financial cases involving family businesses and inherited wealth."Legal 500 2021/Divorce and financial remedy/Leading Juniors
‘Provides excellent in-depth analysis with an eye for the key facts of the case, and is superb with clients, opponents and judges.’
Legal 500 2021/Clinical negligence/Leading juniors
‘A lateral thinker who is always meticulously prepared.’
Legal 500 2020/Family and children law/Leading juniors
‘Commands attention in court.’
Legal 500 2020/Clinical negligence/Leading juniors
‘Highly recommended for financial provision cases.’
Legal 500 2018/19/Family and children law/Leading juniors
‘Well known for his expertise in clinical negligence matters.’
Legal 500 2018/19/Personal injury and clinical negligence/Leading juniors
‘He builds affinity with clients and wins their confidence very quickly.’
Legal 500 2017/Family and children law/Leading juniors
‘Very experienced across the spectrum of personal injury law.’
Legal 500 2017/Personal injury and clinical negligence/Leading juniors
'He has excellent rapport with clients and is truly knowledgeable in the complex field of financial remedy.'
Legal 500 2016/Family and children law & Personal injury and clinical negligence/Leading juniors
'He has a fantastic rapport with clients and really knows his stuff'
Legal 500 2015/Family and children law & Personal injury and clinical negligence/Leading juniors
'Highly skilled in respect of pleadings, court presence and dealing with experts.'
Legal 500 2014/Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
‘Precise and thorough’
Legal 500 2014/Family
‘always conducts himself with the utmost professionalism’
Legal 500 2013/Family
‘court demeanour is controlled and eloquent'.
Legal 500 2012/Family
''I engaged Hamish on a Direct Access Basis from Canada. His attention to detail, consideration, intelligence, and thoughtfulness was outstanding in the case to a successful outcome, in winning the case. I recommend him highly and I believe you would be lucky to secure his services.''
Shamila Mackie, Direct Access Client
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