We are proud of our achievements and have worked hard to gain some of the most prestigious awards and standards in the legal profession. To provide the highest quality of client care, we subject ourselves to rigorous external audits. In addition, we have maintained a consistently high rating in both Chambers and the Legal 500, two of the legal profession’s own benchmarks for excellence, which are re-assessed every year.
We have maintained our rankings in the independent legal guide Legal 500, with the firm’s clinical negligence, personal injury and legal costs teams all ranking in Tier 2. For over three decades, The Legal 500 has evaluated and ranked law firms through in-depth research, client interviews, and peer feedback.
This year’s research highlighted the firm’s longstanding reputation for combining legal excellence with exceptional client service. Referees describe BBK as “a firm which is caring, committed and full of genuinely nice people who are also fiercely bright and brilliant at their jobs”, while others praised the firm’s “outstanding leadership” and its ability to deliver a “Rolls-Royce service”.
Another noted that BBK is “an impressive team handling cases of the highest value and complexity, but with real quality throughout the ranks from junior associates up to partner level. They are an extremely safe pair of hands.”
Our clinical negligence team has been recognised for handling high-value, complex claims. Client feedback reinforces this reputation, consistently praising the team’s blend of empathy, professionalism and legal expertise. One client describes the practice as an “incredible team of lawyers who go above and beyond for their clients.” Another highlights the team’s collaborative approach, saying: “They took a very tailored approach to support me and my family through our case. They factored in our culture and our actual reality and ensured that it was reflected in the case. They were able to get the right professionals in place to support us and gave us advice to the best of their knowledge as to what would be in our best interest.”
Our personal injury team is recognised for its breadth of expertise and consistently high standards.
With specialist teams covering brain injury, spinal injury, military claims, abuse, bullying and harassment, and complex injury litigation, the practice is praised for its expertise, client-focused approach and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. The team is particularly recognised for its strong focus on rehabilitation, support for vulnerable clients, and campaigning for wider legal and policy change.
Reflecting this reputation, one referee comments: “BBK is professional and dedicated to its clients. It pushes the boundaries to get good outcomes and works tirelessly and closely with the client and their families.”
Our costs team is also highly commended: “Bolt Burdon Kemp stands out for its quality-driven, specialist model and its track record in complex and often groundbreaking cases. The team’s collaborative approach – working closely with medical experts and support networks – ensures that legal strategy is aligned with long-term client outcomes.”
Clinical Negligence: Caroline Klage and Claudia Hillemand – leading partners, Alex Dabek and Rhiannon Daniel– next generation partners.
Personal injury: Ahmed Al-Nahhas, David McClenaghan, Josh Hughes and Caroline Klage – all leading partners
Costs: Sam Hayman – leading partner, Jack Ridgway, next generation partner
To see a full list of our ranked lawyers, click here.
Bolt Burdon Kemp is recommended by Chambers & Partners 2026, with personal injury ranked in Band 2, and clinical negligence ranked in Band 3.
Of the firm’s clinical negligence expertise, the guide states: ‘They are excellent at managing complex matters with care and skill. They pay close attention to detail and manage client expectations carefully and sensitively.’ Our personal injury team receives similar plaudits, with an interviewee noting that, ‘The team is absolutely amazing. All are very patient and easy to work with.’
Jonathan Wheeler Managing Partner at Bolt Burdon Kemp, is cited as an Eminent Practitioner and is ranked for the 15th year by Chambers & Partners.
Caroline Klage appears in the guide for the 15th year and is ranked in Band 2 for clinical negligence. Caroline is noted for her strength in birth and child brain injury cases, with additional experience of psychiatric injury and delayed diagnosis claims. A testimonial states Caroline is ‘quite simply one of the best litigation solicitors I have worked with. She tirelessly works for her clients and their families.’
Caroline is also ranked for the first time in personal injury in Band 5. A referee said: ‘Caroline’s level of service makes you feel like you are her only client. She also showed tact and empathy as to our situation.’
Claudia Hillemand, is ranked as an ‘Up and Coming’ partner with ‘superb levels of understanding, and is utterly dedicated to her clients, with whom she really connects.’
Cheryl Abrahams is ranked in Band 4 and is described by the latest guide as ‘very caring, experienced and knowledgeable.’
Ahmed Al-Nahhas moves up into Band 4 and a referee notes: ‘Ahmed is a fantastic lawyer and great person generally. He is deeply committed to securing the best possible outcomes for his military clients.’ The guide praises Ahmed as ‘extremely thoughtful and compassionate and genuinely cares.’
Gaggan Mawi ranks as an ‘Up and Coming’ partner, with the guide noting she is ‘a fearless advocate’ who ‘fights hard to secure the best outcomes for her clients.’ Another testimonial states: ‘Gaggan is tenacious and really fights her client’s corner. She is good at leading a team and a formidable opponent.’
Victoria Oliver moves into Band 5. The guide describes Victoria as ‘a rising star. She has got a forensic knowledge and is very good at handling catastrophic spinal claims. She is extremely personable and good at running a team’. Another testimonial notes: ‘Nobody knows more about spinal injuries than Victoria Oliver.’
Rhiannon Daniel is ranked as an ‘Up and Coming’ partner this year. Rhiannon is praised by the guide for being ‘an excellent solicitor.’ Another referee describes Rhiannon as being ‘very knowledgeable and always available when I have had questions or needed advice.’
Action for the Victims of Medical Accidents (AvMA) is a registered charity supporting people affected by avoidable harm in healthcare; helping achieve justice for them and advocating for better patient safety.
Claudia Hillemand, Partner and Head of our Child Brain Injury team, is a member of the AvMA specialist clinical negligence panel. The AvMA clinical negligence panel ensures that patients and their families continue to have access to practitioners who are committed to providing specialist clinical negligence services which focus on the client’s needs.
As members of AvMA’s Lawyer’s Service, we have access to a range of specialist services and benefits for solicitors who work in the field of clinical negligence including their panel of medical experts and cutting edge training.
Headway is a UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury. It has branches and groups nationwide, providing support, services and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers.
We are listed in the Headway Head Injury Solicitors Directory 2026. In order to be included in this directory we have been thoroughly assessed on our expertise in the field of brain injury and our commitment to this area of work. We support Headway’s work across a number of their branches in the Home Counties and London.
Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) are the expert guiding voice to 105,000 people living with spinal cord injury in the UK. It is their aim to reach everyone with a spinal cord injury, to tackle whatever barriers they face, and to connect them to all the help and support they need to live a fulfilled life. As specialist spinal injury lawyers, Bolt Burdon Kemp are delighted to be a Trusted Legal Partner of the SIA and to be able to use our expertise to support its aims and mission.
The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) is an association set up for the benefit of victims, lawyers, experts and other professionals involved in the field of obtaining compensation for the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children and adults abused in childhood. ACAL was set up by the leading solicitors in this field and has expanded over the years to include solicitors, barristers, legal executives, trainees, pupils, expert, and paralegals. ACAL is committed to the improvement of standards amongst personal injury lawyers involved in these types of compensation claim. David McClenaghan and Rebecca Sheriff have both been appointed to the Legal Panel.
Bolt Burdon Kemp is ranked as one of The Times Best Law Firms 2026 for personal injury and clinical negligence law in England and Wales. The list consists of 250 firms, solely nominated by solicitors based on the high standard of work and contribution of each firm to their area of practice.
Lexcel is the Law Society’s international practice management standard. It is a scheme for any type of practice to certify that certain standards have been met following independent assessment.
The Lexcel practice management standard is only awarded to solicitors who meet the highest management and customer care standards. Lexcel accredited practices undergo rigorous independent assessment every year to ensure they meet required standards of excellence in areas such as client care, case management and risk management.
The Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme covers all work undertaken by solicitors and suitably qualified Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives (FILEX) on behalf of victims and their dependants arising out of any alleged act of negligence or breach of statutory duty as a result of which the victim has sustained personal injuries or fatal injuries.
Members will have shown, to the satisfaction of the Law Society, that they have and will maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in the area of personal injury.
The Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme covers all work undertaken by solicitors and suitably qualified Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives (FILEX) arising out of any act of negligence, breach of contract and/or statutory duty as a result of which the victim has sustained injuries in the course of medical or dental care.
Members will have shown, to the satisfaction of the Law Society, that they have and will maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in the area of clinical negligence.
Many of our Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Military and Child Abuse lawyers are accredited by Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. An Accredited Specialist is a person who has achieved APIL Senior Litigator status or higher and has demonstrated further competence in their specialist field.
He or she is able to manage and progress a claim so as to establish, assert and enforce, in an effective and efficient manner, the rights of a client damaged or disadvantaged by negligence. He or she is competent to take, without supervision, key decisions on accepting cases, assessing risks, evaluating offers and issuing proceedings.
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) is the UK’s only dedicated national support service for adult survivors of all forms of childhood abuse. They provide specialist, confidential support that empowers survivors to heal and thrive. BBK are proud to be a member of NAPAC’s legal panel.
SurvivorsUK provides a national online helpline and individual and group counselling for boys, men and non-binary people aged 13+ who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. The charity also offers emotional support through the justice system, support for friends and families of survivors, and training for professionals and organisations.
Our partnership is borne out of a common goal – to ensure boys, men, and non-binary people in the UK receive support to navigate the impact of sexual violence. We work together in numerous ways including funding one of their Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, based in London, who directly supports abuse survivors; advising members directly through a legal clinic, and supporting the SurvivorsUK team through a legal hotline.
The Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) is the leading voluntary sector organisation providing emotional and practical support, information and learning opportunities for families and professionals affected by childhood acquired brain injury across the UK.
Bolt Burdon Kemp is a member of CBIT’s London Legal Support Service, providing proven expertise in complex children’s brain injury cases alongside the very best law firms in the UK.
Cheryl Abrahams is a special ambassador to CBIT supporting them to expand their service by having a dedicated representative at every major trauma centre and children’s hospital in the country, as well as community teams in every region.
Bolt Burdon Kemp is a member of the legal panel of the charity PEEPS-HIE, effective from 1 August 2023. We are also a Corporate Friend supporting the important work that they do for families affected by Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (H.I.E) in London and the Southeast. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting children and families affected by H.I.E and other brain injuries.
Child brain injuries, particularly H.I.E, can have devastating and lifelong consequences. The impact on the child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development can be profound, affecting their ability to lead a fulfilling life. Families are often left grappling with the emotional and financial burden of caring for a child with a brain injury, unsure of where to turn for help and support.
We are members of the Birth Trauma Association’s Trusted Legal Partner panel. Founded and run by women who have experienced birth trauma, the Birth Trauma Association is the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to supporting women and families who have experienced traumatic birth.
Part mental health charity, part campaigning charity, the Birth Trauma Association works to support parents and families, and improve parents’ experience of birth – engaging and educating health professionals and taking part in research to identify failings in maternal care.
BBK was chosen as a legal partner for providing a service that is compassionate, caring and of a high standard.
The Silverlining Brain Injury Charity aims to improve the quality of life of all those affected by brain injury, by engaging them with the wider community to discover a sense of purpose, social structure, and added meaning to their lives. To ensure the brain injury community has the best support available the Charity created the Silverlining Affiliated Solicitors Scheme. This serves as a point of reference for brain injured individuals looking for legal representation,
Bolt Burdon Kemp is proud to be affiliated to the Silverlining Solicitors Scheme, having met strict inclusion criteria and in recognition of being truly committed to supporting our clients throughout their lifetimes. The charity offers membership of its scheme only to those few firms recognised to be leaders in brain injury law, with exceptional recommendations and accreditation.
The Brain Injury Group (BIG) provides a network of dedicated brain injury lawyers & professionals. They offer a gateway to information, support & advice for brain injured people & their families by giving access to a complete package of support specialist services.
As members of BIG, we have been thoroughly assessed on our expertise in the field of brain injury and are recognised as experts in our field. Having helped numerous individuals and families, we continue our work with BIG to help improve the lives of brain injured people.
United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) was created to promote a better understanding of acquired brain injury in adults and children. UKABIF promotes education, information and provides networking opportunities for professionals, service providers, planners and policy makers, campaigning for better services in the UK.
We are members of UKABIF and listed as one of their Approved Lawyers. In order to become an Approved Lawyer, members will have been assessed to show their high level of understanding of the affects of an acquired brain injury and have demonstrated their skill obtaining compensation for their clients.
Forces Law is a network of independent civilian lawyers who specialise in advising our Armed Forces community including those who are serving, veterans and their families. BBK advise on AFCS, personal injury and clinical negligence matters and are closely involved in the running of the network, with Ahmed Al-Nahhas elected as President in 2023 and Natasha Mason holding an active role, as well being a former Chairperson.
PAS UK is a user-led charity with a central focus on spinal cord injury and beneficiaries across the entire sphere of disability. Their place within the Armed Forces arena is well-established and recognised. We sponsor a peer support advisor to assist PAS UK in supporting injured service personnel from the forces community adjust and rebuild after acquiring life-changing injuries.
Inquest is the only registered charity providing expertise on state related deaths and their investigation to bereaved people, lawyers, advice and support agencies, the media and parliamentarians. Their specialist casework includes deaths in police and prison custody, immigration detention, mental health settings and deaths involving multi-agency failings or where wider issues of state and corporate accountability are in question.
Bolt Burdon Kemp are proud to be members of Inquest.
We are members of Bliss‘s Legal Panel of trusted law firms. Founded by a group of parents that realised hospitals lacked the proper care for premature and seriously ill babies, they created an organisation dedicated to giving vulnerable newborns the support they deserve. Bliss has grown into the UK’s leading charity for the 90,000 babies who require neonatal care each year.
We are honoured to continue supporting the charity’s vital work in achieving their mission; ensuring that every premature or sick baby born in the UK has the best chance of survival and quality of life.
Want to talk to one of our experienced lawyers? We can call when it suits you for a no-obligation, strictly confidential chat.
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