Partner Profiles
Our Partners have the expertise and commitment to deliver the results you require for your business
Dr Victoria Ruth Handley LLB (Hons), LLM, Dip PI Lit, PhD (Law)
Victoria has proven academic credentials. Having graduated in 1993 from John Moores University she undertook an LLM at Liverpool University before attending Chester Law College. She began specialising in personal injury litigation when she gained a Diploma in Personal Injury Litigation at Manchester Metropolitan University and then in 1998 embarked on a PhD at the University of Manchester entitled “Access to Justice – Woolf Reforms”. Victoria qualified in 1998. From 2004 Victoria was appointed External Examiner for the College of Law (York) in the fields of Civil Litigation and Advocacy. Victoria has worked for many years for a major defendant practice in the North West as head of technical legal support on all aspects of PI both internally and to commercial clients, brokers and insurance companies. She was in charge of training, staff and client service standards within the insurance division. Having initially trained and practiced as a claimant lawyer she has a unique understanding of claims management and negotiation.
Victoria has specialist knowledge of employers and public liability, together with motor claims and disease work. She has written for several publications giving advice on contributory negligence ‘Head Case’ Solicitors Journal S.J. (2006) Vol 150 No.26 pg. 882, ‘CPR 42nd Update’ Solicitors Journal S.J. (2006) Vol 150 No.37 pg. 1241, premature issue ‘Cheap Talk’ Solicitors Journal S.J. (2006) Vol 150 No.36 pg. 1210 and the Changing Burden of Proof, JPIL March 07. Victoria is a Member of CMSUK (rehabilitation), FOIL, The Society of Legal Scholars, The Institute of Ideas, The Socio-Legal Studies Association, Liverpool Law Society, Civil Mediation Council and is a Liverpool University Convocation Member.
Laurence Brown LLB (Hons), BSc (Hons), FCII, ACILA, ACIArb
Having spent over half his working life in the insurance industry Laurence has considerable experience and empathy with its operations.Following a Business Studies degree at Manchester University he joined a national composite insurer and learnt the features of good underwriting and surveying before moving to a claims inspector role. Laurence completed his rounded perspective of insurer life in an accounts environment dealing with international branches and their re insurance arrangements. As a Chartered Loss Adjuster with a national firm he managed a major multi disciplinary branch in a highly focused customer service sector, retaining a complex and varied caseload. He dealt with claims from motor to product liability and fraud and was heavily involved in the service issues arising from the hurricanes of 1987 and 1990.
After completing a Law degree with London University he attended Chester Law College before joining the defendant insurance department of a large law firm. The years within the insurance industry provided an ideal background for working in this area and understanding the requirements of each client. Work continues to be varied and involves £1m+ claims. He handles cases on behalf of local authorities, self insureds and insurers, which has included an audit of files for a national broker. Laurence became an Associate Partner and later Operational Head of Defendant at a major practice in the north west. He delivers seminars, organises training conferences and has written several articles. He has a particular interest in RTA prosecutions, product liability and fraud. He is a Member of FOIL, CMSUK (rehabilitation) and the Civil Mediation Council.
