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Clinical negligence
Sarah practises in all aspects of clinical negligence, acting for both claimants and defendants. She regularly appears in cases in the High Court and county courts, drafts statements of case and advises in claims involving doctors, dentists and professionals from other related fields. As Treasury Counsel she acts on behalf of the Ministry of Defence in clinical negligence claims.
Disciplinary work
Sarah acts for medical professionals in the GMC and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Coroners’ inquests
Sarah specialises in inquest law and public inquiries. She has represented families, NHS Trusts and individual clinicians in inquests around the country and as Treasury Counsel she has acted in inquests on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Justice. She has represented a variety of interested persons in 'Article 2 inquests' investigating deaths in police or prison custody, often for medical professionals, including those as a result of self harm or involving force or restraint used by police or prison officers and of detained patients in psychiatric hospitals.
She is currently acting for the London Ambulance service in the 52 inquests into the 7th July 2005 London Bombings, which is examining the actions of first responders at the bomb scenes on the day. Hallett LJ, sitting as an Assistant Deputy Coroner determined that she will consider whether a number of the Deceased, who survived the initial blasts but later succumbed to their injuries, could have survived if the emergency response had been faster, better equipped or had anything been done differently by the first responders as well as various systemic issues involving deployment of resources, training, communications and equipment.
Public inquiries
Sarah acts in public inquiries and recently appeared in the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry. In this public inquiry to investigate the death and report on the circumstances surrounding the death of Baha Mousa and the treatment of those detained with him by British Forces in Basra in September 2003 she was acting as Junior Counsel to a soldier team and her clients were therefore, for the most part, in conflict with other soldier witnesses. They comprised a varied group ranging from Private, Corporal, Sergeant and Colour Sergeant, through to Major in rank.
Disclosure applications
Sarah frequently acts in disclosure applications in the High Court and crown courts in cases which have a medical aspect. She represents NHS trusts in cases in which it is necessary to assert confidentiality in relation to medical records, or manage disclosure, such as those involving child abuse by a family member.
CRU appeals
Sarah has acted successfully in a number of CRU appeals.
Personal injury
Sarah represents claimants and defendants in personal injury cases.
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