What people say about us

Extremely business-oriented in their approach. They're very efficient and tenacious, and you benefit from their experience.

Chambers UK

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has ‘national coverage, with quality offerings in all offices’.

‘They have a solid understanding of the charity industry and so were able to support our organisation through a turbulent time due to Covid-19.’

‘Daff Richardson is very approachable, practical, and displays great experience. Sam Rose provides consistently excellent advice.’

Senior associate Sophie Whitbread has 'exceptional organisational skills' and frequently assists education institutions and charities with the management of employees.

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Oxford-based Daff Richardson and Cambridge-based Hilary Aldred co-head the department at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP that is particularly well-known for its legacy work with various local and national charities. It is skilled at advising on the creation of philanthropic structures as well as delivering a wide range of guidance to exempt, excepted and registered charities on governance, regulatory and charity issues.

Reading-based Gemma Woodhouse also supports on employment matters for charities clients.

‘A fantastic team. Knowledge of the law is second to none. They are completely dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for clients. They also have formidable expertise in managing complex and sensitive investigations.’

‘Penningtons Manches Cooper deliver the same top quality service to their charity clients as they provide to their other corporate clients. They are committed and enthusiastic in helping the not for profit sector.’

‘Hilary Aldred is an outstanding lawyer and tactician, knows the law back to front and has an impressive following.’

‘Daff Richardson is enormously experienced and able to answer most questions. When not able to help, she is able to direct clients to parts of her firm where she knows there is expertise.’

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP fields 'a strong team with a lot of experience in this area of law, particularly contentious charity law work'. Major clients include Oxford colleges, universities, academy schools, trusts and further education colleges.

The Legal 500 - 2019 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP advises a diverse range of clients, including educational institutions and training providers, public service and membership organisations, and ecclesiastical and faith-based organisations, as well as private individuals and philanthropic bodies. The team’s expertise spans constitutional and governance advice through to serious incident reporting and safeguarding issues. Other strengths lie in advising on data protection and complex legacy disputes. 

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP ‘has geared up its charities/not-for-profit offering to a level equal to that of the rest of the firm. It has got off to a flying start with a remarkably strong client set that has been attracted by a stellar team’. Head of department Alison Talbot has ‘exactly the right combination of steely strength, a very deep understanding of not just charity law but the way charities work, and complete sensitivity to her clients’ objects’. ‘Hugely popular’ senior associate Philip Collins is ‘a seasoned litigator who has a wealth of experience and very sound judgement’. The firm advises on a wide range of governance, regulatory and legacy matters. Key clients include the RSPCA and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals.

The ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ team at Penningtons Manches LLP has ‘established its excellence in the not-for-profit sector’ and ‘has attracted strong support from a number of important national charities’.

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP acts for charitable organisations such as educational institutions and membership organisations, disability charities and registered social landlords. The multi-disciplinary practice advises on a broad range of matters including governance, corporate and commercial, real estate, public law, legacy disputes and employment matters. Henrietta Mason, Daff Richardson and Hilary Aldred are the key contacts.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

There is a genuine sense of camaraderie among staff here which makes for a positive and collegiate working environment.

Chinedu Uhiara, Associate

The team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP is commended for its industry knowledge, approachability and ‘high-quality service’. Practice head Katrina Wingfield ‘knows the work inside out’ and ‘processes cases efficiently’; Geoffrey Hudson is ‘understated but brilliant’; and barrister Nicole Curtis is ‘a clear and authoritative advocate’. The firm has handled numerous cases for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, as well as advising the SRA and the Farriers Registration Council, among others.

The Legal 500 2012 edition

Sizeable and experienced team with a wide range of clinical negligence specialists. Noted for strong client care. Positive track record in quantum hearings.  

Dedication: 'The team works very hard and efficiently'.

Prowess: 'The practice competes at the top level with the big national players in the market, and it provides a really excellent service to clients across the South.'

Work highlights: Successfully represented a claimant in a multimillion-pound severe cerebral palsy case.

Notable practitioners

Head of the Surrey team, Philippa Luscombe receives praise for her calm manner and ability with clients. One commentator describes her as being 'compassionate, effective and thoroughly excellent'.

'Dynamic and incisive' partner Alison Appelboam-Meadows leads the cerebral palsy subteam. She is regarded as being 'very bright, with a very good grasp of the field'.

Hampshire team leader Tim Palmer has particular expertise in cerebral palsy and meningitis cases. He is known to be 'very experienced and exceptionally calm under pressure'.

Chambers UK - 2014 edition

Large team in the South which is able to act on a broad range of cases, including catastrophic injury and cerebral palsy claims. Also well reputed for its handling of surgical negligence of both a cosmetic and orthopaedic type.

Strengths: 'Very innovative and clever with how they put things together.'

'A very experienced and well-regarded firm.'

Notable practitioners

Alison Johnson handles a number of moderate value cases, including ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery claims. Clients state: 'She was determined we were going to win, and tenacious.'

Alison Appelboam-Meadows handles significantly complicated cases, such as brain and spinal cord injury. She currently heads up the cerebral palsy unit. One impressed source notes: 'She's excellent and easy to work with.'

Philippa Luscombe is known for her high-value work covering catastrophic injury, delayed diagnosis of cancer and orthopaedic surgery. Clients state: 'She has a good bedside manner. She was professional but compassionate where she needed to be.'

Tim Palmer's recent caseload includes a case concerning delayed diagnosis and treatment of wet macular degeneration, and a urology case regarding removal of a stent.

Justine Spencer is involved in cerebral palsy cases, and also has a niche in claims regarding neonatal hypoglycaemia. Legal professionals say her proficiency is boosted by a 'very high intellectual ability.'

John Kyriacou is a formidable clinical negligence practitioner. Sources highlight his 'cool head and ability to analyse.'

Chambers UK - 2015 edition

The team is highly acclaimed for its handling of severe neonatal and birth injury cases, including cerebral palsy. Also possesses a sophisticated understanding of injuries arising from negligent cosmetic, gynaecological and orthopaedic surgery. 

Strengths: 'They have been prompt and helpful, and we've had good results in our case as a result of their work.'

Notable practitioners

The 'exceptional' Philippa Luscombe draws praise from peers for her 'judgement on complex cases' and her ability 'to form close ties with her clients and yet still give them sound, independent advice.' Her practice focuses on matters as wide ranging as oncology, gynaecology and neurosurgery cases.

Richard Money-Kyrle is an experienced partner who splits his practice between personal injury and clinical negligence work. He focuses on acting for clients on cerebral palsy and brain injury claims.

Alison Appelboam-Meadows 'deals with high-value complex cases and has a very analytical mind with regard to identifying the core issues of cases.' She focuses her practice on cerebral palsy cases.

Stephanie Code acts for clients on claims ranging from delays in diagnosis to brain and spinal damage. 'Stephanie is an excellent solicitor,' remarks a source, 'I would highly recommend her.'

Chambers UK - 2016 edition

Distinguished practice offering a well-respected team with a depth of expertise. Handles birth injury, spinal injury and delayed diagnosis of cancer claims. Other areas of strength include orthopaedic cases and negligent gynaecological and cosmetic surgery matters.

Strengths: ‘Everything was well explained and I was updated regularly and thoroughly. I felt reassured throughout.’

‘The great strength of Penningtons Manches is the combination of empathy and knowledge: they give a brilliant and reassuring service to clients.’

Notable practitioners

Philippa Luscombe maintains an excellent reputation in the market as ‘an outstanding clinical negligence solicitor who has huge experience and knowledge.’ She specialises in neurosurgical negligence, oncology and gynaecology. One source observes: ‘She is very good at communicating the process and dealing with experts, barristers and clients.’

Stephanie Code is noted for her handling of high-value cases such as cerebral palsy and catastrophic injury. Commentators name her as ‘a very solid, experienced lawyer who does the best for her clients.’

Alison Appelboam-Meadows is head of the firm's cerebral palsy team and specialises in obstetrics claims and neonatal injury. Sources describe her as ‘someone who clients automatically warm to - she exudes confidence for all the right reasons.’

Chambers UK - 2017 edition

Distinguished practice that possesses a well-respected team with a depth of expertise, in addition to a sizeable bench of junior lawyers. Handles birth injury, spinal injury and delayed diagnosis of cancer claims. Team members also have experience advising on challenging fatal cases, including at the inquest stage. Other areas of strength include orthopaedic cases, and negligent gynaecological and cosmetic surgery matters.

Strengths: An interviewee enthuses: ‘They respond promptly and helpfully to any queries. They put the client at the centre of everything and are extremely caring in their dealings with patients.’

A client adds: ‘It was a first-class service. I was kept well informed throughout the case and felt that they were proactive at all stages.’

Notable practitioners
Sources hail Alison Appelboam-Meadows as ‘a superstar’ and commend her handling of cases on behalf of minors: ‘She's always thought about the case, deals with parents brilliantly and is extremely organised.’ She is held in particularly high regard for her expertise in handling cerebral palsy claims. 

Stephanie Code is regarded as ‘an excellent solicitor for heavy, demanding work.’ She handles a range of maximum severity and catastrophic injury cases, including those concerning cerebral palsy, birth injury and brain damage. Sources add: ‘She tends to put claimants at ease when faced with a sea of threatening, incomprehensible legal procedures.’

Philippa Luscombe is noted by clients for her ‘humble and sensitive approach, awareness of the psychological implications, and ability to deal with sensitive material.’ She predominantly handles claims regarding brain and spinal injuries, cauda equina syndrome, oncology and fatal accidents.

Chambers UK - 2018 edition

Well-known name in the clinical negligence field. Significant expertise in neurological and birth injury claims, including cerebral palsy. Also advises on mental health-related negligence claims.

Strengths: Sources say: 'They are good not just at the practicality of the claims, but they provide guidance and reassurance to their clients.'

A client describes the team as 'sympathetic yet determined to seek and achieve positive results.'

Notable practitioners
Philippa Luscombe is described by sources as a 'leader in her field' who 'gets life-changing results for her clients.' She possesses significant experience with claims involving delay in diagnosis and negligent treatment and surgery, as well as fatalities. She also handles matters concerning consent.

Alison Appelboam-Meadows is highly regarded for her notable expertise in complex clinical negligence cases. She is adept at handling claims involving neonatal injuries, including cerebral palsy, and delay in diagnosis as well as surgical negligence. A commentator describes her as an 'excellent and meticulous practitioner.'

Emma Beeson focuses on birth injury and delay in treatment cases. A client reports: 'Her communication has been excellent during the whole process and I feel very involved in any decision-making,' adding: 'For the first time I felt that someone actually understands, cares and is on my side.'

Stephanie Code is a prominent clinical negligence lawyer with notable experience in cerebral palsy claims. She also focuses on severe injury cases stemming from surgical negligence. 'I was kept updated and well informed as the case progressed,' an appreciative client reports.

Alison Johnson is acknowledged for her ability in handling cases concerning delay and misdiagnosis of cancer. She also represents clients in ophthalmic, gynaecological and PTSD-related claims. Clients say: 'Alison has a gift for explaining everything in layman's terms.'

John Kyriacou is particularly active in brain and spinal injury claims, with further strength in delayed diagnoses of cancers and stroke. He also provides representation at inquest. 'He is easy to communicate with and explains everything very well. He is brilliant.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

Strengths: ‘They have genuine strength in depth and are really down to earth, committed, and true specialists in their field.’

‘The team were efficient, organised and showed me respect throughout.’

‘I cannot speak highly enough of the level of expertise shown by the team at Penningtons.’

Notable practitioners 

Alison Appelboam-Meadows: ‘Alison has an encyclopaedic knowledge of her cases which are of maximum severity.’

Emma Beeson: ‘Emma has forensic attention to detail; she is a fighter who is really committed to her work and her clients.’

Stephanie Code: ‘Stephanie is an impressive lawyer.’

Alison Johnson: ‘She gets fantastic settlements on really difficult cases.’

Victoria Johnson: ‘Victoria is excellent; her guidance led us to settlement and she took so much time to ensure I was happy with the whole process.’

‘John Kyriacou is always on hand to answer any queries and makes sure I understand what is going on. He is also always realistic with me, which I really appreciate.’

Philippa Luscombe: ‘Philippa is a star and a very skilled, astute technician.’

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

I am so thankful for having such great people on my side. All your dealings with me have always been with care and compassion.

Mr H

It feels like a weight has been very subtly removed from my shoulders.  I couldn't have asked for anyone better to take on my case and I will wholeheartedly recommend you and your team.

Mr V

Penningtons Manches LLP has ‘sound knowledge of medical negligence, and excellent client relations’. Tim Palmer, who is ‘brilliant with clients’, and Philippa Luscombe co-lead a ‘great team’.

Fields a small London team led by the experienced John Kyriacou, who is supported by the firm’s other offices in the South East. It recently acted in relation to an inquest and related civil claim for wrongful death.

The Legal 500 - 2013 edition

Alison Appelboam-Meadows and Philippa Luscombe co-lead the team at Penningtons Manches LLP, which handles high-value cases involving catastrophic or fatal injuries and is experienced in group actions.

John Kyriacou has over 20 years’ experience in the field.

The Legal 500 - 2014 edition