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Ridgeland House, 165 Dyke Road, Brighton, BN3 1TL 01273 249 200

Frances Pierce, Partner

I am a Partner of the Personal and Medical Injury and the Court of Protection Teams at Dean Wilson LLP.  I like to play fair (valuing ethics) and have a caring nature, but can be robust when required to achieve the best for my clients

Specialties:

I have specialised in personal injury and clinical negligence litigation for over twenty-five years and have a particular interest in brain injuries.

  • Personal injury – acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, multiple injury claims, fatal claims, severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Clinical & Medical Negligence – surgical claims, obstetric claims such as birth and pregnancy injuries (including Cerebral Palsy).
  • Court of Protection – I am a Court of Protection Deputy to several brain injured clients, handling the financial affairs of those who lack capacity to do so themselves (listening to the Client’s wishes and the views of key family members and ensuring the Client’s best interests are met).

Notable Cases:

  • After other solicitors refused to take the case on, as they felt chances of success were too low, I secured a multi-million pound settlement for a cyclist who sustained multiple injuries including a brain injury.
  • After settling a road traffic accident claim for £10.4m I was honored to be asked to act as Professional Deputy to support the brain injured client and empower her to make decisions about her future with financial security.
  • Having taken over a case from a solicitor in whom the client had lost confidence, I was able to secure a settlement of more than ten times what that solicitor had aimed to recover for the client, as I was able to spot aspects of the claim that the previous solicitor had missed.
  • In AA v CC & MIB the Claimant secured periodical payments to stop and start at future and uncertain dates according to how his capacity progresses or deteriorates (providing for the payment to cease when he regains capacity and re-start when he loses capacity). This was the first time periodical payments relating to capacity were dealt with in this way (before this it would have been difficult to persuade a Judge to award this money to a Claimant whose capacity was borderline or variable).
  • In Richardson v Real 60 Football Club I acted for the Claimant, securing a six figure sum for a young man with a very severe leg injury as a result of an unlawful tackle. This case went to trial.
  • Another landmark case of mine is Jenkins v Young Brothers Transport, which is used regularly by solicitors when moving firms or assigning CFAs. The case went to the Court of Appeal.  The case remains a leading authority on the assignment of CFAs.
  • When the CPS were reluctant to prosecute following a death at sea, I worked with the family to put together evidence, which persuaded the CPS to prosecute and record fines were ordered based on that evidence. It was important to me and the family that their son’s death was not unanswered or forgotten.
  • MRM v MNB this RTA claim was fought on liability and settled for £12m. My Client sustained a spinal cord injury at C5/6 resulting in C4 motor and sensory incomplete “Frankel C” tetraparesis. I am now have the privilege of being his professional Trustee and support him in making decisions to ensure his quality of life is maximised but at the same time ensuring his money last his lifetime.

Rankings:

In Chambers & Partners UK Legal Directory 2022 I am ranked as Band 1.   The publication says of me: Frances Pierce is recognised as one of the leaders nationally in personal injury work and is “very tenacious, experienced and reassuring – she always looks after the client’s best interests.” “She is very thorough, approachable and helpful” according to Chambers and Partner 2022. I have handled cases arising from RTAs and accidents at work, as well as specialising in brain and spinal cord injury, with additional strength in PTSD matters.

In The Legal 500 2022: ‘Frances Pierce [is] very approachable and responsive.’ Showing ‘impressive knowledge in the area of brain injury and give clear advice and summaries in response to questions, which instills confidence.’

Memberships:

  • Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (Fellow)
  • Solicitors Regulation Authority accredited Personal Injury Panel
  • The Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors (“FOCIS”)
  • Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers (“PEOPIL”)
  • Kent and Sussex Silverlining Charity
  • Legal Aid Agency – Independent Funding Adjudicator 2013 – 2016
  • President Kent Law Society 2011 – 2012
  • President Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & District Law Society 2010 – 2011

Outside of work I enjoy family time, getting out and about in the British countryside with my family dogs, attending sporting events, taking part in charitable events and exploring the world with my two daughters.

Top Skills

  • Catastrophic injury litigation
  • Court of protection deputy
  • Injury
  • Languages
  • French
  • Honors-Awards

Quote from a Past Client:

“I was involved in a fatal car accident where I lost my fiancée and my life as I knew it. I have suffered many difficulties due to my injuries from the accident and I have gone through every up and down physically and mentally. Frances has been a massive support to me and my family. Her knowledge and experience are second to none. She has guided me through a very complicated path knowing exactly who to contact to get me the best support and most importantly answers, both in the medical and legal fields. I would not hesitate to highly recommend her to anyone who finds themselves in unfortunate circumstances.”

Ms G., Personal Injury Client