Year of call: 1988
Over the last 20 years, Fiona has developed the specialism of acting in cases involving Chronic Pain Syndromes, Complex Regional Pain Syndromes, Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, Somatoform Pain Disorders, Somatic Symptom Disorders, Conversion Disorders, Functional Neurological Disorders and Fibromyalgia. She is considered to be a leading expert on chronic pain.
These conditions are often little understood and extremely challenging. Fiona has built up a deep knowledge and understanding of these chronic pain cases working with medical experts of all different specialisms over the years. She has been involved in hundreds of such cases, both at first instance and on appeal, acting for both Claimant and Defendant.
Fiona has lectured extensively over the country, has organised numerous Pain Seminars and has contributed published articles on the topic. She was a delegate at the Pain Summit at Westminster. She was a speaker at the medico legal forum at Peterhouse College Cambridge 2015.
She also has wide experience in personal injury related professional negligence cases.
Fiona is the patron of Burning Nights CRPS charity and works alongside the founder Victoria Abbot Fleming in raising awareness of CRPS.
Fiona has sat as a Recorder since 2009.
Fiona was guest speaker at the British Pain Society’s 50th Annual Conference in 2017.
Chambers UK 2023
“Fiona is highly experienced in her niche specialism of chronic pain cases.”
‘Fiona is very thorough and detailed, she knows the papers inside out and is very efficient and reliable.’
Chambers UK 2022
“Very able and hard-working – she is a very good advocate.” “She has developed a real niche in chronic pain cases and is a genuine expert in the field.”
Legal 500 2022
“Fiona’s standout strength in relation to chronic pain work is unrivalled knowledge of the area, from both a legal and medical understanding demonstrated. In relation to catastrophic injury I have found her tactics and negotiating strategies to deliver excellent results on each occasion. Her ability to discuss complex causation issues with clients who are often emotional is also a huge benefit.”
Chambers UK 2021
“An excellent advocate with an unrivalled knowledge of chronic pain cases. She is very practical, a team player and a strong negotiator.” “She is incredibly hard-working and always quick to respond.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Fiona has unrivalled knowledge and experience when it comes to chronic pain cases, and couples this with client care skills, working collaboratively with her instructing Solicitors and dealing with claimants with a compassionate but firm hand, instilling trust and confidence. She is a ferocious negotiator, and I would always want her to be in my corner going into a JSM.”
“A fount of knowledge on chronic pain and related cases, with outstanding attention to detail.”
Legal 500, 2020
“Particularly recommended for chronic regional pain cases.”
“An expert in chronic pain cases.”
Chambers UK 2020
“Her strengths lie in being able to get up to speed on any case very quickly while still understanding very complex issues properly and fully.” “She really understands chronic pain work and gives very clear and straightforward advice.” “She is supportive, friendly, and her knowledge in the niche area of chronic pain litigation is second to none.”
Chambers UK 2019
“Her knowledge and understanding of chronic pain issues is unequalled and this, coupled with her technical skills, gives her clients the upper hand in a difficult area of personal injury.” “I cannot praise her preparation enough; it is meticulous.”
Legal 500 2019
“A fighter in court.”
Chambers UK 2018
“A national leader for cases concerning fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions, in which she principally represents claimants. She also represents defendant clients in RTA claims.”
Legal 500, 2018
“Very knowledgeable on cases involving chronic pain.”
Chambers UK 2017
“The doyenne of chronic pain cases, she knows that subject inside-out.” “She’s very authoritative; she has a detailed grasp of the issues and articulates them well.” “She is thorough, analytical and generally very good.”
The Legal 500, 2017
“She is robust yet fair and quickly gets to the heart of the issue.”
Chambers UK 2016
“She has an extremely thorough and authoritative approach, whilst retaining a compassionate rapport with clients.”
“She is very strong technically, good on her feet in front of a judge and very good with clients. She has the right degree of gravitas and familiarity.”
