Ruth is a Partner and Head of our Clinical Negligence Department. She has exclusively practised in clinical negligence since qualifying in 1995 and has a wealth of experience in complex and high value clinical negligence claims. She has settled several multi million pound claims and has been successful at trials.

Before joining Hugh James, Ruth was a partner at Russell Jones & Walker (where she trained as a solicitor), Powell & Company Solicitors, and latterly, head of the London Clinical Negligence team of Blake Morgan. She has also had a huge amount of experience in recruiting, training and supervising trainee solicitors.

Ruth has and has been a member of the AvMA Specialist Clinical Negligence panel since 2000 and is also a member of APIL and SCIL.

Ruth is widely recognised as an industry leader in her field and builds fantastic rapport with her clients and other parties. She has featured in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for many years.

She has a particular specialism in neonatal, child and adult brain injury cases, and maternal injury.

Most recently, she won a landmark case involving brain injury acquired as a result of delay in diagnosis of meningitis. You can read more here: Hugh James wins landmark case in first clinical negligence trial to take place ‘in person’ during lockdown

Education

Chester College of Law: Law Society Final Examination 1992
Sheffield University: Law LL.B 1991

Career history

Head of London Clinical Negligence Department: 2019
Senior Associate at Hugh James: 2018
Joined Blake Morgan as Head of London Clinical Negligence Team: 2014
Joined Powell & Co: 2004 – Partner: 2005
Partner at Russell Jones & Walker: 2000
Qualified at Russell Jones & Walker: 1995
Trained at Russell Jones & Walker: 1993

Memberships

AvMA Clinical Negligence Specialist Panel Member
APIL
SCIL

She explains all aspects of the case to us in detail and responds clearly and promptly to our questions.

Chambers & Partners

She is a consummate professional who always puts her clients first.

Chambers & Partners

She understands the needs of her clients and fights hard to get a good deal for them. She is tactically astute and a good negotiator and makes sure to understand the medical matters.

Chambers & Partners

Ruth Powell is highly experienced in this work and has a long and distinguished track record.

The Legal 500

I must take this chance to thank you for your excellent service and also your team.

Client

When we spoke the other day I don’t think I thanked you enough for the way that you have dealt with my case. I will forever be indebted for being pointed in your direction. To put it simply you could not have done a better job. It’s not just that we finished up with as good a settlement as we could have expected, but i received a level of sympathy and understanding that went way beyond the normal call of duty, and all with a twinkle and good humour. Lucky me.

Client testimonial