Barristers

We welcome barristers and enjoy a good relationship with the bar, many of whom are valued members of AvMA’s Lawyers’ Service alongside our 2,500 solicitors specialising in clinical negligence.   The following are helpful ways we can work together:

Access to two live webinars per annum: Each AvMA Lawyers’ Service Member will receive access to two live AvMA webinars per year, these webinars will be organised by our very experienced Conference department.  Details of the two live webinars for which members will have free access will be emailed to them, at which time you will also be provided with details on how to gain access to those webinars.

Pro Bono Inquest Service: This service aims to find representation for people who have been affected by the death of a loved one in circumstances where the death occurred in a medical setting.  Following the inquest some clients are referred to one of our panel solicitors to explore the possibility of bringing a civil claim. In those circumstances we recommend that the solicitor continue to use the services of counsel involved in the inquest; many barristers find this introduction a useful opportunity to demonstrate their skills and ability to leading practitioners in the field of clinical negligence.  The barristers who assist are often quite junior and may not have much experience in clinical negligence or inquests but they do have a particular interest in these fields.  The benefits of the service are that families who would otherwise be unrepresented are given a voice at the inquest. Not only are families provided with representation but counsel is able to gain valuable advocacy experience and hone their client care skills.

Articles for the Newsletter and/or Journal of Patient Safety & Risk Management or JPSRM (formerly known as Clinical Risk): It is also intended that the outcomes of our pro bono inquests are written up by counsel so they can be reported in the AvMA Newsletter which goes out four times a year and is circulated to in excess of 2,500 lawyers. We are particularly keen for this to happen where the Coroner has made a Prevention Future Death report or where the conclusion includes a rider of neglect.

Speaking Opportunities: For more senior members of the bar we are often looking for speakers for our LSGs or conferences, if you have a legal topic you are particularly interested in and have experience of then please contact Lisa O’Dwyer by emailing her PA: Norika Patel

For more benefits and details of joining Lawyers’ Service