Sarah Pritchard

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Year of Call: 1993

Profile

Sarah has a substantial reputation as a personal injury specialist with particular experience in higher value cases. She is regularly instructed by Claimants and Defendants in cases arising from road traffic accidents, accidents at work and claims against Highways Authorities. Sarah is able to deal with the complex medical, legal and quantum issues involved in all aspects of personal injury work and is well used to managing large teams of experts in the course of such litigation. Her trial experience is extensive. In her advisory work, Sarah regularly drafts comprehensive and detailed Schedules and Counter Schedules and has successfully conducted countless round table settlement meetings. 

Significant Work / Reported Cases

ALISON DAVIES & OTHERS v KWIK FIT GB

15 Claimants were involved in a serious road traffic accident on their return from a hen party (all were passengers in a mini bus when the tyre blew). Sarah acted for Defendant in all the claims and was involved in conferences with many experts of different disciplines, settled all counter schedules, conducted interim hearings and round table meetings to conclude all claims well within client's reserve.

JOHN MAYBURY v OLDHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

Sarah acted for the Defendant at the trial of a claim arising from a tripping accident on a defective paving stone. The Claimant contended for significant sums in damages as a consequence of his injuries. At trial, by meticulous cross examination, Sarah succeeded in obtaining a confession from the Claimant's key witness that the entire claim was in fact a fraud. The claim was dismissed and, on Sarah's advice the matter was referred to the appropriate authorities. The Claimant and his witness were sentenced in late 2009 to periods of 9 months and 6 months imprisonment respectively

ANDREW CASSIDY  v CICA

Sarah acted for the victim of a serious crime of violence in this CICA claim. Mr. Cassidy had been assaulted by a Pub bouncer and sustained a significant head injury. He required ongoing care and assistance with all activities of daily living. The Authority had, on a number of occasions, rejected his claim and the claim was pursued to a full hearing. At the hearing Sarah secured the maximum possible award for Mr. Cassidy (£500,000).

Recommendations

Chambers UK 2012:

Sarah Pritchard "enjoys an excellent reputation amongst her peer group, who recommend her for her "superb preparation," "excellent approach to dealing with experts," and "masterful cross-examination skills.

Chambers UK 2011:

"a high-quality operator, who has a particular knack for handling complex birth injury claims. "

Chambers UK:
Sarah Pritchard is commended for producing "straightforward and well thought-through advice." 

"she is very tenacious when she gets the bit between her teeth and argues her cases extremely well"

The "resourceful, quick-thinking" Sarah Pritchard defends authorities in serious psychiatric injury and breach of duty matters.  She also impresses through her regulatory work.

"..endears herself to lawyers and peers alike for her 'robust advocacy' and because 'she fights hard for her clients'.  One interviewee described her as 'one of the most accomplished juniors on the circuit'."

"Another favourite is the "robust" Sarah Pritchard. She can "really give the experts a grilling".

Legal 500:

"Sarah Prtichard is praised for her 'technical ability, interpersonal skills and good bedside manner'"

"birth injury specialist 'knows how to question an expert witness' in complex cases"

"is a very strong junior in complex and severe cases"

"Sarah Pritchard has a busy catastrophic injury practice"

"Sarah Pritchard has moved up a gear in catastrophic injury work".

Memberships:

Personal Injuries Bar Association
Committee member of the Northern Circuit Medical Law Association
Northern and North Eastern Circuit

Career & Education

University:            Manchester

Degree:                LLB (Hons) Lydia Kemp Scholarship and RG Lawton Prize

Year of Call:         1993 (Gray's Inn) Junior scholarship     

Joined Chambers: 1994