
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.
Legal Services
Coroner's Inquests
Paul acts for bereaved relatives at inquests all over the country. Particularly where there is concern over medical failures which may have contributed to the death. The inquest can be an important source of information enabling Paul to give advice afterwards as to the prospects of bringing a successful civil claim for compensation. Paul also encourages Coroners to review improvements in practice and of steps taken to implement changes as a result of the death to ensure that the same mistakes do not happen again.
Product Liability
Paul regularly advises clients injured as a result of the use of medical products and equipment and was one of the first solicitors to bring claims under the Consumer Protection Act. Paul has represented client sin product claims in every tier of court including the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and European Court.
Reputation Protection
Paul has a long history of assisting claimants and defendants in defamation claims involving libel and slander.
Mediation
Building on his creation of successful alternative dispute settlement schemes in his historical specialist area of clinical negligence and product liability Paul has developed into a highly successful mediator. He is able to marry inter-personal skills with business and legal acumen often devising unique practical strategies to resolve deadlocks.
Since qualifying as a mediator in 2004, Paul has conducted a wide variety of mediations ranging from personal injury and clinical negligence through to probate, contract, construction, and professional negligence disputes. He has also acted as mediation advocate in his own cases.
Latest
- Freeths lawyer urges NHS to update its warnings of deadly bug which can affect heart operation patients’ years after surgery
- Bristol Coroner returns neglect verdict after man died following open-heart surgery
- Government forced to provide report following “inadequate” maternity services
- Nottingham University Hospital’s maternity services rated as inadequate by the CQC
- Heater cooler victims to sue LivaNova over mycobacterium deaths
- Freeths Guide to Inquests and the Coroner’s Court
To contact Paul or for more information…
Call: 0345 050 3289
Mobile: 0776 767 3200
Fax: 0345 050 3249
Or email: Send an email
- Accredited mediator
- APIL
- AVMA
“I have to say I was very impressed with the way you conducted matters and would be the first to concede that I very much doubt the claim would have settled but for your input.”
“I would like to thank you so much for all the hard work you put into my case and the compensation award you obtained on my behalf.”
“Esteemed expert Paul Balen remains at the forefront of clinical negligence law, having handled the full spectrum of cases in his lengthy career. He is “very tactically minded,” and “very much a respected opinion” on clinical negligence matters, sources say.”
Respected consultant Paul Balen frequently represents claimants in high-profile inquests and group actions. One source considers him “an excellent lawyer; an original thinker.”
“Paul Balen has a reputation for advocacy work in high-profile inquests. He is known for his expertise in cosmetic cases, particularly regarding breast implants and facial fillers. Balen is a member of the PIP breast implants steering committee.”
Based in Nottingham, consultant Paul Balen handles a high volume of inquests work, and is also experienced in dealing with cosmetic surgery cases. He is highly respected in the market and sources note that he is “willing to stand up for his clients.”
“…original thinker with highly professional standards”. Balen specialises in product liability, consultant negligence, inquest representation and group actions. Sources comment that he is “very bright, very experienced and not afraid to take on hard cases.”
“He had a brilliant grasp of all of the issues and was able to make sensible suggestions throughout to facilitate settlement”
“Paul is an excellent claimant lawyer who works very hard for his clients but is also very pragmatic.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2024)
“Paul is second to none in terms of his experience.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2024)
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