Gallagher Bassett We Guide. We Guard. We Go Beyond.

The GB Speciality team provide their clients with a unique holistic and global legal offering which encompasses the provision of safeguarding and crisis management advice. We are proud to be passionate about the importance of improving safeguarding policies and protocols within organisations and we strive to offer pragmatic, straightforward and empathetic advice. We provide out of hours crisis support to our clients when needed, to include drafting media statements, advising on live safeguarding concerns and providing support in the immediate aftermath of a fatality.

The Gallagher Bassett Speciality team have over 20 years’ combined experience in representing and advising organisations and private clients in highly sensitive matters, often involving allegations of sexual abuse.

In addition to sensitive case handling the GB Speciality team also handle motor liability criminal defence & regulatory representation, employers liability and public liability claims. The team have an established and highly-regarded portfolio of experience in representing and defending insurers and their Insureds in personal injury claims arising from motor accidents.  Much of the team’s experience has centred around providing defence expertise in high value and catastrophic motor claims as well the provision of defence representation in criminal proceedings for some of the most serious driving offences to include causing death by dangerous driving, careless driving and driving whilst under the influence.

In respect of EL/PL we advise Insurers and their Insured’s on claims for psychological and physical injuries presented by employees or those in a position akin to employment, as well as providing comprehensive but straightforward advice in relation to public liability. The team’s expertise includes providing advice on complex policy coverage issues, work-related stress claims and health and safety regulation matters.

The GB Speciality team pride themselves on being approachable, empathetic and diligent in their approach and services offered.

Our Areas of Expertise:

An Overview of the Speciality Legal Services. We Offer Advice On:-

• Recent and non-recent sexual abuse

• Neglect & Physical Abuse

• Safeguarding Expertise

• Redress Schemes

• Reputational Risk Management & Media Publicity Advice

• GDPR, DPA and FOI Requests and Claims

• Human Rights Act Claims

• Mental Health Act Claims and Inquests

• Harassment & Discrimination

• Freedom of Information requests

• Housing disrepair claims

• EL/ PL claims

• Motor claims

• Tree subsidence claims

• Japanese knotweed claims

• Occupational Disease

Our Clients:

As a team, we have over 20 years’ combined experience in acting for, and advising, the following types of Clients:-

• Educational Establishments
• Local Authorities
• Insurers
• Charities
• Sporting Organisations
• Care Homes
• Association of British Insurers

Find out more about our services.

About the Team: 

Kate Prestidge; Head of Sensitive Claims & Safeguarding 

Kate Prestidge, Senior Solicitor was formerly a Partner and Head of Abuse at a major law firm where she handled claims for Local Authority clients relating to adult social care and allegations of child abuse (to include child sexual exploitation, modern slavery and trafficking). Kate specialises in handling social care claims and advising on live safeguarding concerns.  Kate was also instrumental in drafting, implementing and operating the Lambeth Redress Scheme (the largest redress scheme for historical abuse in the UK) and is regularly instructed by Clients in case that are the subject of high-profile media attention.  In addition to her social care practice, Kate also has a wealth of experience in representing higher educational institutions in relation to both allegations of peer on peer sexual abuse as well as student deaths by suicide, the latter of which Kate provides support to the HEI from the point of the death through to conclusion of any civil claim.

Ron Ruston; Head of Liability Claims

Ron Ruston, Senior Solicitor (who was formerly a Partner at two major law firms) has extensive experience in providing defence representation in criminal proceedings for some of the most serious driving offences to include death by dangerous driving, careless driving and driving whilst under the influence.  Ron was formerly a duty solicitor handling criminal litigation matters to include civil claims arising from wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office.  In addition, he has blue light motor claims experience and is frequently asked to support and assist clients throughout all stages of a regulatory investigation to include the Health and Safety Executive.

Tina Kerry; Litigation Manager 

Tina Kerry, Litigation Manager joined GB Speciality from a major law firm where she specialised in handling motor claims. Tina has over 10 years of experience working within varied areas of litigation which includes EL/PL. Tina has extensive experience in managing large client relationships, assisting with audits within the business and compliance matters. 

Jo Hallmark; Senior Associate 

Martin Ricks; Solicitor 

Find out more about the team.

Connect With Us:  

To find out more about the support that we can provide, please get in touch with the team today.

Kate Prestidge  Ron Ruston  Tina Kerry  Jo Hallmark  Martin Ricks