Paula Sparks was called to the Bar in 1994. She is a specialist in the fields of clinical negligence, personal injury, inquests and group litigation. Paula joined Doughty Street Chambers having spent six years employed in the legal department of Action against Medical Accidents (the leading U.K charity for victims of medical accidents).
Paula acts for substantial numbers of claimants in clinical negligence cases every year. The bulk of her practice consists of multi-track clinical negligence work and inquests, including deaths in custody, mental health related deaths and patient deaths. She is author of chapters on human rights related areas of personal injury and clinical negligence litigation, inquests, fatal accidents, non-compensatory damages, interest and CRU and contributor to Liberty 'Your Rights' on-line in relation to the rights of the bereaved.. Clinical Negligence
Paula's clinical negligence practice is diverse and covers a range of cases from dental negligence to injuries of utmost severity. Recent settled cases include damage to the right iliac artery during cholecystectomy leading to severe injuries, wrongful termination of pregnancy, late identification of twin to twin transfusion syndrome and lack of informed consent for ophthalmic procedure. Reported settlements appear in the leading medico-legal journals, including AVMA Medical & Legal Journal (Clinical Risk) and Personal Injury Medical Law Letter (PMILL).
She acts on a CFA basis in many of these claims and provides pro bono advice and representation where appropriate. Product Liability and group litigation
Paula has acted in group litigation arising from claims of historical child abuse including abuse of mentally incompetent children. She was instructed on behalf of claimants in the Fetal Anti-Convulsant Litigation (FACL) who formed a group action of over 100 claimants in an action against a pharmaceutical company in respect of alleged damage in utero. Human Rights
Paula has an interest in human rights, including patient rights. She is a regular lecturer on human rights related aspects of medical law and inquests and has provided human rights training for coroners on the Human Rights Act 1998 behalf of the Home Office. She has advised on human rights issues including rationing of fertility treatment and damages for human rights violations. She has also advised in the best interests' jurisdiction. Inquests
Paula frequently represents families at inquests and has appeared both on behalf of those faced with accusations of unlawful killing and those alleging unlawful killing, including gross negligence. Inquests include deaths in custody, deaths of patients from alleged medical negligence, including those on behalf of the families of mentally ill patients who have died whilst under the state's care. Animal welfare
Paula has an interest in animal rights and welfare related issues and is chair of the Association of Lawyers for Animal Welfare (ALAW) and is a regular contributor to the group's Journal of Animal Welfare Law. Notable cases: - Taylor v Nugent Care Society (formerly Catholic Social Services, Liverpool) (2004) 1 WLR 1129 (CA);
- R (On the application of Christine Davies) v HM Deputy Coroner for Birmingham (2004) 1 WLR 2739 (CA);
- Baptiste v Guy's Hospital Trust (2002), unreported
Recommendations
Paula is cited in Chambers & Partners 2010 where souces appreciate her "depth of experience" and "down-to-earth approach." It is said that she 'impresses sources with her advocacy. She offers "exceptional advice" in obstetric litigation, inquests and human rights-related issues.' Articles - The impact of the Human Rights act for Patient and Accident Victims - JPIL (2008)
Publications - Liberty's 'Your Rights' (Chapter: The Rights of the Bereaved)
- APIL Personal Injury Law, Practice and Precedents, published by Jordans (Chapters: non-compensatory damages, inquests, fatal accidents, Compensatory Recovery Unit and interest).
- The Medical Accidents Handbook: A Practical Guide for Patients and their Advisers 'Wileys.
Professional Associations - Professional Negligence Bar Association
- AvMA
- Inquest Lawyers Group
- Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Association of Lawyers for Animal Welfare
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Year of Call
1994
Education
LLB (Law)
Email Address
p.sparks@doughtystreet.co.uk
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Specialist Teams
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