Beyond the Gavel

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Geoff Simpson-Scott, equity partner at Hodge Jones & Allen and a leading authority in clinical negligence law. Geoff reflects on his early career in the Royal Courts of Justice, his path into claimant work, and how relationships shaped his opportunities. The discussion covers professional values, the ethics and risks of AI in...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Anna McLeod, partner and clinical negligence solicitor at Smith Partnership. Anna shares how a background in philosophy and early work as a police station clerk shaped her legal career, and why adaptability, mentoring, and clear communication are vital in clinical negligence practice. She reflects on balancing empathy with profess...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton is joined by Matthew Fitzpatrick, head of Horwich Farrelly Northern Ireland office and one of the region’s leading voices in personal injury defense. With deep experience on both claimant and defense sides, Matthew shares a refreshingly balanced view of litigation—highlighting the importance of early settlement strategies, the pitfalls of adv...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton welcomes Susan Healy, Principal Solicitor at Clarity Solicitors, for an in-depth conversation about building a client-focused practice grounded in both empathy and expertise. Susan shares her unconventional path from nursing in the NHS to leading complex personal injury and clinical negligence cases, revealing how life experience shapes a la...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton sits down with Paul Rumley, a highly experienced clinical negligence solicitor at RWK Goodman, to unpack the evolving practice of serious injury litigation and the art of mentoring the next generation. Drawing on decades of frontline experience, Paul shares how his journey from first-generation university student to department head shaped hi...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton sits down with Chris Linnitt, founder of Beyond Legal, for a conversation about what it really means to serve injured clients. Chris’s path into personal injury law was anything but conventional—from early career detours to a catastrophic road traffic accident that ultimately reshaped not only his body but his entire approach to advocacy. He...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton sits down with Ally Taft, head of the Medical Negligence Group at Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors, to explore what it really takes to deliver first-rate client care in complex clinical negligence cases. Ali brings a rare blend of paramedical training, sporting leadership, and legal expertise to her practice. She shares her unconventional...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton is joined by Kashmir Uppal, a leading clinical negligence solicitor and partner at Shoosmiths, to discuss the complex intersection of medical error, legal accountability, and patient safety. Known for her work on high-profile cases like the Ian Paterson scandal, Kashmir shares how civil, criminal, and regulatory pathways often run in parallel...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton sits down with Martin Leeks, Head of International Medical Malpractice at Carbon Underwriting, to explore how technology, data, and experience are reshaping the field of medical malpractice insurance. With over 35 years in the industry, Martin shares insights on the shift from traditional underwriting to data-led strategies, the crucial dist...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton talks with Hana Choudhury, a solicitor who has a background in both law and psychology. Hana shares her journey of how she got into law, the challenges she faced early in her career, and how her understanding of human behavior helps her connect with clients in personal injury and medical negligence cases. She explains why listening carefully...

I n this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton is joined by Isobel Foenander, senior solicitor at Tees Law and a leading specialist in clinical negligence litigation. With a background in history and a career shaped by rigorous experience and a deep commitment to client care, Isobel shares how she found her path into one of the most complex areas of legal practice. Known for her work on...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton sits down with Norma Findlay, specialist occupational therapist, manual handling consultant, and founder of VARSS. Norma brings over two decades of hands-on experience to the table, offering deep insights into the role of care experts in serious injury and medical negligence litigation. From projecting long-term care needs and assessing func...

In this compelling episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton welcomes renowned solicitor and mediator Paul Balen, a consultant with decades of experience in complex medical negligence and product liability litigation. Known nationally for his innovative approach to multi-party actions and compensatory settlement schemes—like the 3M hip prosthesis and Travenol breast implant cases—Paul discu...

In this compelling episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton sits down with Patrick Mullarkey , Partner and Head of the Healthcare Department at O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors in Belfast. With over 20 years of experience in clinical negligence litigation—including birth trauma, cerebral palsy, and catastrophic injury cases—Patrick shares powerful insights on navigating the evolving landscape o...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton sits down with Luke Hanahoe, Managing Partner at Hanahoe Solicitors and one of Ireland’s leading voices in personal injury and medical negligence law. Luke shares his journey from growing up in a family of legal professionals to becoming a passionate advocate for client-centered practice. He talks about what drew him to law, the differences...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton sits down with John Browne, partner at Hussey Fraser Solicitors in Dublin and a top expert in catastrophic injury and medical negligence law. John shares how his early love for soccer and a personal injury led him to a career in law. He opens up about the challenges of high-stakes litigation, how to build trust with clients, and why empathy...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton talks with David O’Malley, one of Ireland’s top lawyers in medical negligence cases and a managing director at Callan Tansley. David shares how he built his career, what it takes to handle tough legal cases, and why having a strong foundation is so important. They also talk about working with experts, helping clients through emotional times,...