Coodes praised for legal expertise and client service in prestigious legal directory

South West law firm Coodes Solicitors has been recommended for its legal expertise and high-quality service to clients in the latest edition of prestigious national legal directory Chambers & Partners.

The 2021 issue of the independent guide to the UK’s best lawyers and law firms ranks the firm for its expertise in clinical negligence and agricultural law.

The Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence department has been ranked for the first time, for its specialist expertise in supporting clients to claim compensation following medical negligence. Awarded a Band 2 ranking, the team is described in the guide by a client as being “very friendly, organised and personable.”

The guide describes Coodes as having “expertise in a range of clinical negligence claims, including delayed diagnosis, negligent surgery and birth injury.” It also highlights the team’s particular experience in “cases involving catastrophic neurological injuries and amputations”.

Partner and Head of department Rachel Pearce has also achieved an individual ranking. The guide states: “Rachel Pearce is acknowledged for her work on misdiagnosis and delay in treatment claims. She also acts on cases of negligent care and assists clients with inquests.”

With more than 14 years’ specialist clinical negligence experience, Rachel is accredited under the Law Society Clinical Negligence Accredited Scheme and is a Senior Litigator and Accredited Clinical Negligence specialist with the Association of Personal Injury lawyers. She is also a member of the charity INQUEST, providing legal representation for bereaved families.

The firm is once again highlighted for its expertise in agricultural law, with the Rural Services team being described by one client in the guide as “my go-to firm of solicitors”. The team is recommended as being “notable for advising South Western farmers and other landowners over several generations”, and handling “a wide range of agricultural matters, including property transactions, tenancies and farming partnerships”, as well as “disputes related to boundary issues, animal welfare and pollution.”

Partner, Rural Services Team Leader and Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association Pam Johns has been awarded a Band 1 individual ranking and is praised for being “an out-and-out agricultural star”, with “a good commercial mindset”.

One of the world’s most respected legal directories, Chambers & Partners is based on rigorous independent research and feedback from clients and other legal professionals. Coodes was recently also recommended by The Legal 500, the UK’s other leading legal guide.

Coodes Chairman Peter Lamble said: “The standards set by Chambers & Partners are extremely high and the legal market is increasingly competitive, so our rankings are testament to the high quality, specialist expertise of these teams and individuals.

“We are especially pleased to see the Clinical Negligence team achieving its inaugural ranking in the directory, with head of department Rachel Pearce justifiably being awarded an individual recommendation.

“With a long tradition of advising farmers and landowners across the South West, we are also delighted that the firm has, once again, been recognised for its expertise in agricultural matters, and that Head of Rural Services Pam Johns has been singled out for a Band 1 ranking.

“Chambers & Partners rankings are based largely on client feedback, so we are extremely proud that Coodes has been recognised both for its legal know-how and high quality service to clients.”