Sally Hatfield QC is among the most popular silks for child brain injury and fatal cases that require sensitive handling of clients. She has a broad practice that includes highly complex secondary psychiatric harm cases, claims arising from the delayed diagnosis of spinal injuries or cancers, and birth injury cases, including those relating to cerebral palsy. She is also well equipped to take on cases where compensation is sought for injury or disease sustained by the mother in childbirth. She has been appointed as an assistant coroner.
Strengths: "She is just delightful with clients and very down to earth - she puts them at ease and is very sharp technically." "She is phenomenally talented and has an incisive intellect balanced with a tactical pragmatism that ensures that cases are brilliantly prepared for trial, but likely to secure fantastic settlements for clients without going to trial. She is also highly compassionate and fair."
Chambers & Partners 2022 (Clin Neg) Band 1
Among the most popular silks for child brain injury and fatal cases that require sensitive handling of clients. She has a broad practice that includes highly complex secondary psychiatric harm cases, claims arising from the delayed diagnosis of spinal injuries or cancers, and birth injury cases, including those relating to cerebral palsy. She is also well equipped to take on cases where compensation is sought for injury or disease sustained by the mother in childbirth. She has been appointed as an assistant coroner.
Strengths: "She has a fierce intellect and very good client manner." "Her recall is excellent when dealing with multiple experts." "Her written documentations are excellent and she is fantastic on her feet."
Chambers & Partners 2020 (Clin Neg)
Among the most popular silks for child brain injury and fatal cases that require sensitive handling of clients. Has a broad practice that includes highly complex secondary psychiatric harm cases, claims arising from the delayed diagnosis of spinal injuries or cancers, and birth injury cases, including cerebral palsy. She is also well equipped to take on cases where compensation is sought for injury or disease sustained by the mother in childbirth. ''She is superb - really sharp and incredibly compassionate'' ''A highly intelligent and incisive leader. whose excellent legal skills combine admirably with a direct, pragmatic and empathic approach to clients needs'' ''She has excellent medical knowledge and forensic skill and deals well with experts in conference and is a strong negotiator and advocate''.
Chambers & Partners 2019 (Clin Neg)
Among the most popular silks for child brain injury and fatal cases that require sensitive handling ofclients. Has a broad practice that includes highly complex secondary psychiatric harm cases, claims arising from the delayed diagnosis of spinal injuries or cancers, and birth injury cases, including cerebral palsy.
Strengths: "Her mastery of the detail in trial was just something to behold." "She's sympathetic and understanding. She really does go the extra mile so that clients understand what we are trying to achieve." Recent work: Represented the claimant in a cerebral palsy claim that was caused by asphyxia in labour. Chambers & Partners 2018 (Clin Neg)
"Among the most popular silks for child brain injury and fatal cases that require sensitive handling of clients.. Has a broad practice that includes highly complex secondary psychiatric harm cases and claims arising from the delayed diagnosis o spinal injuries or cancers.
Strengths: "Her pleadings are fantastic; extremely clear, logical and concise." "She gets to the heart of the issues and can think outside the box"
Chambers & Partners 2017 (Clin Neg)
Possesses specialist knowledge of medical law and is routinely instructed on behalf of claimants on complex cases. In particular she is noted for her work in claims involving clinical mismanagement, birth injury and secondary victim claims, especially regarding psychiatric ramifications of negligent care.
Strengths: "She's fast with picking up large amounts of information, deals with experts fantastically and is always extremely well prepared. She is incisive in her thinking and questioning." "She goes out of her way to accommodate clients."
Recent work: Instructed on behalf of the claimant in a quantum only cerebral palsy case in which liability issues had been compromised. The issues were complex in relation to future care and child care.
Chambers & Partners 2016 (Clin Neg)
'Her ability to explore legal issues in a straightforward manner denotes her underlying fierce intelligence.' Legal 500 2016
She is very empathetic, knowledgeable and intelligent, and has very sound judgement."
Legal 500 United Kingdom 2015
"A specialist clinical negligence practitioner whose practice is largely focused on representing claimants. She is frequently instructed on cases concerning injuries of maximum severity, and is noted for her considerable expertise in the psychiatric ramifications of breach of duty by healthcare staff.
Expertise: "She has got a lot to offer as a barrister - she's intelligent and quick to get to the issues." "She has a phenomenal ability to devour documents and absorb the important points from them quickly."
Recent work: She advised on a complicated obstetric and psychiatric secondary victim case for an individual who lost his wife and baby in labour. It was argued that the death of the baby was avoidable."
Chambers and Partners 2015 - Clinical Negligence
"Very good technically and tactically."
Legal 500 2014
"Receives glowing praise for her client care. As an assistant deputy coroner, she is highly sought after to appear in fatal accident cases.
Expertise: "She is particularly skilled in dealing with complex causation issues." "Her drafting is excellent and she has great instincts."
Recent work: She was instructed for the claimant in a case arising from allegations of bariatric surgical negligence."
Chambers and Partners 2014 - Clinical Negligence
"Clinical negligence is the mainstay of her practice. She focuses principally on the representation of both patients and their families, and has considerable experience of cases involving injuries of the highest complexity and severity. She is "unfailingly completely prepared and fantastically articulate," say sources, who also go on to compliment her on the quality of her cross-examinations. Peers admire her ability to fight her clients' corners ferociously "while still remaining personable and human."
Chambers and Partners 2013
"Recommended within Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence " Legal 500 2013
"picks up relevant detail in the cases fluently and quickly"."
Legal 500 2012
"Also based at Byrom Street is Sally Hatfield, who is 'always thoroughly prepared' and 'excellent with clients - she is approachable and sympathetic, and really inspires confidence.' She comes particularly recommended for her expertise in inquests and is also highly regarded for her work in complex cerebral palsy and cauda equina claims."
Chambers and Partners 2012
"Sally Hatfield provides a 'high-quality, top-notch service for solicitors and clients', and has particular expertise in inquests."
Legal 500 2011
"... Sally Hatfield handles complex cerebral palsy and cauda equina claims, consistently displaying an understanding of the issues at play and grasping the details of the case. Clients describe her as a 'dynamic senior junior with a breadth of experience and knowledge.'"
Chambers and Partners 2011
"Sally Hatfield is a "lawyer of enormously impressive intellect", commended for her client care skills and her "ability to offer sensitive explanations to clients who have either been bereaved or who have complex and difficult medical issues"
Chambers and Partners
"Sally Hatfield has "the quality and experience to be instructed in cases suitable for a QC alone" Legal 500 2010