28 September 2011
ILEX member at centre of media whirlwind
A
Graduate member of ILEX has found himself at the centre of a media
whirlwind after a case in which he was his firm’s lead lawyer made
worldwide headlines.
James Sherwin, a clinical negligence specialist at Attwaters
Solicitors in Harlow, Essex, had worked for three years on a
sensitive case.
Working with the barrister retained by Attwaters, Robert Weir QC
of Devereux Chambers, Mr Sherwin then helped his client obtain
substantial damages and treatment for her injuries. Speaking to the
Legal Executive Journal he said: “Most of the damages were for loss
of earnings, because my client lost her job due to needing
psychiatric treatment.”
The case made national and international headlines in
broadsheets and tabloid newspapers, including the Daily Telegraph,
the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror, as well as BBC radio and
Internet channels.
Mr Shwerwin went above the normal field of duty to also field
media enquiries in order to provide a “buffer” between journalists
and his client.
Mr Sherwin, who is on course to become a Legal Executive Fellow
next June, started at the firm in November 2006 and was handed the
case for investigation a year or so later.
The case had several twists and turns. Ms Tivey, of Canvey
Island, had given birth to a stillborn child when she gave birth to
his healthy twin at Southend Hospital, Essex. She then had to
battle for eight months to force the hospital to release the
remains when officials lost the forms indicating her wish to bury
him.
Eventually, a hospital employee handed Ms Tivey a brown envelope
containing skin and tissue samples encased in wax blocks. She
subsequently complained of experiencing nightmares and
psychiatric problems as a result and that her relationship with her
partner had suffered.
Three years on, the case became one of the biggest the firm has
had in publicity terms. “The success has helped raise the profile
of the medical negligence department and brought complimentary
remarks from partners” said Mr Sherwin.
ENDS