Paul Balen

Consultant

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"Paul Balen is part of the clinical negligence furniture in the UK. A pioneer of the use of mediation in such cases, it highlights his drive and determination to remove, as much as possible, the adversarial side of litigation. He is a lawyer focussed on finding answers rather than having arguments.’
(The Legal 500, 2024)

As a solicitor Paul has long experience in advising in a wide range of complex clinical negligence and product liability cases. He has a national reputation for the coordination of multi‐party actions and the creation of compensation/alternative dispute resolution schemes in groups of clinical negligence and medical product claims. These include the Trilucent and 3M hip prosthesis settlement schemes; the Leicester Epilepsy and Cervical Smear cases and the Beverley Allitt victims parents’ claims for all of which he was solely responsible for the generic work on the claimant side.

He is currently bringing claims for compensation for patients affected by the microbacterium chimaera bug from contaminated Sorin T heater cooler units. He was the sole solicitor for claimants in the PIP Hydrogel litigation and is a steering committee member in the current PIP litigation. He was a mediation advocate for the ABG hip claimants and is currently the generic solicitor who negotiated the North Staffs Maxillofacial claims handling agreement relating to cases brought against the disgraced surgeon Roger Bainton.

He was the joint author of the only English text book on Multi party Actions. He has also devised and presented a nationwide series of Master Classes on Inquests with the former Nottinghamshire Coroner and has contributed the chapter on Inquests to the “APIL Guide to Fatal Accidents” and edits and has contributed chapters to Jordans APIL book “Clinical Negligence” which is now in its second edition.

Paul’s approach with clients is renown to be holistic. He has been involved in the implementation of safer procedures within the NHS through meetings with the Chief Medical Officer; membership of the paediatric sub committee of the former Patient Safety Agency and through the publication of case notes, lectures and training sessions. A significant proportion of his case load has historically come direct from members of the medical profession where his open approach is widely recognised and appreciated. He has been commended for this in judgments in both the Court of Appeal and High Court. He routinely proposes ADR resolution of his cases.

Historically Paul has represented clients from all over the country advising them throughout their cases often helping them secure substantial compensation as well as apologies and explanations for what has gone wrong. Now as a consultant he advises on cases from cerebral palsy and maximum disability through to fatal cases which may often be of relatively small value but are of utmost importance to those who have suffered as a result of the negligence or the defective product. He advises on cases prior to an inquest and often represents relatives at the inquest itself preparing the way for advising relatives on bringing a claim for compensation after it has been completed.

Paul also advises on claims for compensation for libel and slander where damage has been caused to a person’s reputation.

Paul is ranked as a Senior Statesperson in Chambers & Partners (2024 edition) and is recognised by The Legal 500 (2024 edition) in the Hall of Fame for Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence. The Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence.