Leaders in their field were recognised and rewarded at last nights’s Eclipse Personal Injury Awards 2011 ceremony held in London.
A top human rights lawyer and a High Court Judge-turned-mediator were among the eminent winners at the fourth annual Eclipse Personal Injury Awards.
Over 470 claims professionals gathered at the Riverbank Plaza Hotel in London on Thursday 24 November for a glittering evening that celebrated excellence across the personal injury claims sector.
Comedian Stewart Francis hosted the event which recognised the leading solicitors, barristers, rehabilitation providers and claims management companies in the sector.
The biggest winner of the night was undoubtably Sir Henry Brooke who not only scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award but was also named Mediation Achiever of the Year. The distinguished judge was rewarded for his exceptional career spanning over 40 years in law, as well as for developing a highly successful second vocation as a mediator after he retired from the bench. The judging committee praised him for his authorative manner, experience and gravitas.
The award for Outstanding Achievement was presented to Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers for his impressive track record as a civil liberties solicitor, in particular endorsing the contribution he made to the recently concluded Baha Mousa public enquiry.
John McQuater of Atherton Godfry received the Claimant Personal Injury Lawyer accolade in recognition of the outstanding customer care he delivers combined with his expertise in the field of PI procedure.
Outstanding Case of the Year went to Neil Southern of Keoghs LLP who secured a landmark decision earlier this year in a contempt of court case arising from a grossly exaggerated personal injury claim.
The Disease Team at Keoghs were also winners, and accepted the award for Defendant PI team of the Year for their innovative and principled approach to disease claims handling.
The Personal Injury Awards are open to all individuals and companies working in the claims field and aim to bridge the ‘claimant/defendant divide’. By identifying high standards of practice, the awards aim to inspire others to emulate the achievements demonstrated by the winners.
A distinguished panel of judges, chaired by Andrew Twambley of InjuryLawyers4u, selected winners using stringent selection criteria, and the quality and calibre of nominees for this year’s awards made the judging process harder than ever.
The ceremony was organised by Barker Brooks Media in conjunction with headline sponsor Eclipse Legal Systems. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, dinner, and entertainment after the awards from a live band and magician.
Full list of 2011 Personal Injury Awards winners
Lifetime Achievement Award Sir Henry Brooke
Outstanding Achievement Phil Shiner, Public Interest Lawyers
Claimant Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year John McQuater, Atherton Godfry
Outstanding Case of the Year Neil Southern, Keoghs LLP
PI Team of the Year (Defendant) Keoghs LLP
PI Team of the Year (Claimant) JMW
PI Lawyer (Defendant) Peter Walmsley, Barlow Lyde and Gilbert
Barrister of the Year Stuart McKecknie, 9 Gough Square
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Barristers Chambers of the Year Exchange Chambers
Mediation Achiever of the Year Sir Henry Brooke
Rehab Provider of the Year IPRS and Rehab Prosthetics
Young Achiever of the Year Arti Shah, Pattison and Brewer
Claims Management Company of the Year Winn Assist
Medical Agency of the Year Insurance Medical Group
Insurance Provider of the Year 80e
Practice/Operations Manager of the Year Stephen Ward, Clerksroom
Associated Industries Award Laird Assessors