Jonathan Wheeler
Managing Partner
Jonathan was formerly head of both the personal injury and abuse teams at Bolt Burdon Kemp and has been a partner with the firm since 2003.
Chambers & Partners (directory 2018) says: “Jonathan Wheeler was named managing partner of the firm in April 2017 and is described by interviewees as a “very good guy who is very committed.” He is sought after for his depth of knowledge regarding child abuse cases, representing children as well as adults bringing claims for historic abuse.”
In 2006 Jonathan was named one of the ‘Hot 100’ lawyers of the year by The Lawyer magazine, recognising his campaigning work for survivors of child abuse, work which continues today. He is responsible for risk assessing all the personal injury and abuse claims handled by the firm.
In addition to his work at BBK, Jonathan is a Fellow and former President (2015-16) of the influential lobbying organisation, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. He was awarded honorary life membership when he stepped down from the national executive in 2017. Jonathan is currently a member of the Law Society’s Civil Justice and LGBT committees, as well as FOCIS, the Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors. He trains other lawyers, both in-house and externally, and is regularly asked to provide comment on topical issues for the trade press and national media. In 2014/15 he accepted a consultancy role with the BBC, advising on story-lines for a well known TV soap.
Reported cases
Include;
Fashade v North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust [2001] 5 CL 203 – at the time, the highest damages award for a nurse who developed asthma through exposure to the chemical glutaraldehyde (High Court, London).
Y v Wandsworth London Borough Council [2006] 1 WLR 2320 – established that a local authority is vicariously liable for the actions of one of its teachers abusing a child even where the abuse occurred off school premises (Court of Appeal).
A v Hoare & related appeals [2008] 1 AC 844 – landmark case which extended the time periods for bringing child abuse claims (House of Lords).
Pierce v Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council [2009] 1 FLR 1189 – first case where damages were awarded for a failure to retain a child in care by a local authority (Court of Appeal).
BJM v Eyre & others [2010] All ER (D) 139 (Nov) – substantial damages awarded in case where child abducted and sold into prostitution (High Court, Leeds).