Nicola Winslett
Senior Associate Solicitor and Clinical Support Team Manager.
I want to help injured people achieve compensation that will maximise their quality of life.
Get to know Nicola
I have a wealth of experience in all types of personal injury cases and clinical negligence matters as well as legal practice management. I have myself suffered potentially life changing injuries in an accident which gives me a unique insight into the impact of such an injury on not only the primary victim but also those close to them. I joined S & G in November 2021.
I was admitted as a Solicitor 1996, following completion of an LLB (Law and Politics) from Birmingham University in 1993. Thereafter, whilst a partner at a regional law firm I moved into more management focussed roles which led to me completing a PG Cert in Legal Practice Management from Manchester Metropolitan University 2011 and some years later to complete an NVQ & BTech in Leadership & Management in 2018, during which I was awarded Management Higher Apprentice of the Year.
I lead a multi-disciplinary (legal & clinical) team who support the amazing lawyers, nationally at S & G UK Ltd. The primary role of the team is to review all new enquiries offering a speedy and personable client journey. The early stages of choosing a clinical negligence team to take a client through the litigation journey can be difficult & anxiety provoking. My team are in place to make that choice as easy as possible and to be a bridge between the client & their new legal team. Additionally, the team support the legal teams throughout the lifetime of cases with clinical input, expertise & advice as well as records reviews and analysis.
Career highlights
I have experience of running both cases of limited value & multi-million-pound settlements. Irrespective of value all cases can be complex & all are very important to the injured claimant. I adopt an empathetic client facing approach & a tenacious Defendant facing approach. Attention to detail is key. Litigation is an adversarial process which can be challenging and upsetting for clients. I like to ensure that they are supported at all times in understand the process and dealing with the challenges.
I have had a fairly varied career with time spent in both operational & compliance facing legal roles as well as client facing. I have also had the privilege of attending the Supreme Court representing the claimant in Summers vs Fairclough Homes, Supreme Court 2012. [2012] UKSC 26.
This was for a short period the leading case on alleged dishonesty in personal injury cases prior to the implementation of the concept of fundamental dishonesty as a defence pursuant to s57 of the Criminal Justice & Corts Act 2015.