Amanda Stevens
Amanda has enjoyed a legal career spanning more than 30 years having been a partner leading clinical negligence and personal injury teams at Charles Russell and Irwin Mitchell before joining Hudgell Solicitors in 2016. She became their first CEO in 2017 and during that role the firm twice won “highly commended “in the category of “law firm of the year” at national legal awards. Building on that work in 2020 it was announced that the firm had been listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2021. She is now Managing Director, with responsibility for London, the South and national strategic relationships.
Amanda is a specialist in complex, severe or long-lasting injury cases, such as acquired brain and spinal cord injury for both adults and children (including many cerebral palsy cases), fatalities, missed diagnosis claims and diabetic amputees.
She is recognised across the claims sector for going above and beyond for her clients, having spent much time seeking law reform to ensure access to justice for injured people. Her dual focus on rehabilitation also brought an ‘Outstanding Individual Achievement Award’ at the 2016 Rehabilitation First Awards.
The leading Legal 500 legal guide has described Amanda as ‘in a class of her own’ and in 2019 said she is ‘exceptional, bright, knowledgeable, energetic and sympathetic with a wide list of contacts and the ability to mentor other practitioners to strive for the best client care.’ She has been referred to in a High Court judgment as ‘being particularly impressive and experienced’.
Career highlights have included being chosen to act for a retired Court of Appeal judge in his own claim for damages for a significant injury following a road traffic accident. Much of her work is covered by anonymity orders but Amanda has successfully represented claimants in 2 well-publicised judgements in the Court of Appeal:
In the case of Raggett v Society of Jesus Trust 1929 for Roman Catholic Purposes and Anor, the claimant was successful in the Court of Appeal when seeking to uphold a judgment for damages following child sexual abuse at school, even though the defendant raised arguments that the claim was out of time.
In an employers’ liability case (Denton Hall Legal Services and Ors v Fifield) the court allowed the claimant to secure damages from her employer in respect of upper limb symptoms suffered due to her working conditions.
Memberships
· Past President and Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
· Past member of the Civil Procedure Rule sub-committee (CPRC) tasked with drafting court rules (2009-2015).
· Chair of the Project Steering Group overseeing the publication of the much revised 2015 Rehabilitation Code.
· Member of the IUA /ABI working group on rehabilitation
· Member of the Serious Injury Guide Steering Group
