Mark Fowles - Admitted 1988.
Chairman and Head of the Insurance Department

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Qualifications:
MA (Oxon) Qualified Teacher, Solicitor and Mediator

Societies:
Fellow of Royal Society of Arts

D.O.B:
19th May 1958

Education:
1976 - 79 - Magdalen College, Oxford University
1984 - 85 - C.P.E. Bristol Polytechnic
1985 - 86 - L.S.F. Bristol Polytechnic

Experience:
1980 – 1981
Taught Thelverton Hall, Norfolk

1981 – 1984
Gatehouse School Bethnall Green, teaching mentally and physically handicapped children.

1986 – 1993
Articles / Solicitor Blount Peter
Handling personal injury claims on behalf of Eagle Star and Builders Accident.

1993 – Present
Associate Solicitor, Partner from 1993; Head of Insurance from 2000; Senior Partner from 2008; Chairman 2010.

Mark joined Veitch Penny in 1993, became Partner in 1996, and Head of the Insurance Department in 2000. Mark specialises in employer’s liability, public liability and local authority claims, and in particular occupational stress and education claims. In 2004 Mark took Barber v SCC to the House of Lords.

Mark is ranked number one in the South West for Defendant Personal Injury work. The Chambers Guide has commented: “sources endorsed his straightforward, pragmatic approach to dealing with claims. You just know where you are with him.” Described as a "talented individual" the guide acknowledged him as a Leader in the Field of Personal Injury, an accolade he still holds.

Mark's reputation has also been highlighted in the Legal 500 who in 2007 acknowledged him as "a nationally recognised expert in the field of work-related stress and a fantastic supporter of public sector risk management." 

Mark frequently contributes to industry publications and the Radio 4 flagship legal programme 'Law in Action.' He is a regular on the circuit, and has lectured for the CII, C.L.T. and ALARM giving frequent talks and in-house training to local authorities and Insurers; recent topics being Employers Liability, Personal Injury Update, Witness Training, Negotiations, Human Rights and Stress at Work.

Mark has undergone training in the skills of alternative dispute resolution/mediation and sits on the Mediation panel at Exeter County Court. He has made use of those skills on behalf of Insurers, notably in a recent dual fatality 7-figure claim.

The Veitch Penny Medical Handbook for the Personal Injury Practitioner, edited by Mark Fowles and Dr Hames Mackenzie, is published as part of Kemp and Kemp.

Mark is a member of the Foil EL/PL Disease Working Party Committee.

Mark has assisted major insurance companies with the setting up of national pre-litigation investigation panels. He has internally audited a major insurance company and reported on suggestions for improvement. He has been involved with a major insurer in a European Award winning training initiative aimed at employees of public authorities.

He has set up for a Unitary Authority a claims handling scheme and assisted in the training of their own staff. He retains a case load of significant claims, predominantly on behalf of Local and Public Authorities, largely in his specific area of expertise, namely, stress, bullying and harassment, significant Occupiers Liability claims and education claims.

Besides being responsible for Barber v SCC - the leading case on stress - Mark has also to his credit a leading case in the area of education claims - Clark v DCC, and other cases of note include Williams v DCC and Safeway v SCC and B & B v A County Council.

Mark is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, is a keen cricket follower and a frustrated Bristol City supporter. He listens to classical music and jazz, and enjoys the theatre when he can.

Joanne Pruden
Member

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Qualifications:
LLB Law Degree 2:1; Legal Practice Course – Merit

D.O.B:
2nd December 1977

Education:
1996 – 1999 - Law Degree, University of Wales, Aberystwyth
2002 – 2004 - Legal Practice Course (LPC), University of The West Of England, Bristol

Experience:
Joanne joined Veitch Penny in July 2004, having spent a number of years working as a claims handler in the legal department of a Unitary Authority in the South West, where she had full conduct of claims within the deductible on the Council’s public liability and employers liability policies.

Joanne originally joined us as a Trainee Solicitor, working alongside the Head of the Insurance Department, Mark Fowles before qualifying in January 2006 and became a member in 2010. Since that time Joanne has developed a varied caseload working for numerous insurers and dealing with a range of work from credit hire claims, education and social services claims, to claims for breach of confidentiality. Her direct experience in local government issues and in-particular Defendant personal injury and risk management has been a real benefit to the firms specialist public liability and local authority work.

Joanne has had a number of notable successes. Recent notable cases include:

Asharaf v Devon County Council which involved a technical point on the Civil Procedure Rules concerning a resilement from an admission of liability.  

Chakmakchi v Devon County Council in which the Defendant successfully overturned a decision on appeal relating to the applicability of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to non-employees and which appears to be the first English authority on the point.

Joanne has also lectured giving regular talks to local authorities and Insurers; recent topics being E-Disclosure, the changes to Part 36, Employers Liability and Highways law. She also contributes articles to Journals, including Veitch Penny’s ‘Update’ as well as external Journals including the Insurance Times, Red Alert and the Personal injury Law Journal.

In her spare time Joanne enjoys fast cars, running and training at the gym.

Jessica Ross - Admitted 1995.
Senior Associate Solicitor

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Qualifications:
LL.B (Hons); Solicitor

D.O.B:
2nd January 1969

Education:
1988 - 1993 - Nottingham University

Experience:
Jessica joined Veitch Penny in 1995. She has particular expertise in costs, highways, industrial diseases, repetitive strain injuries, vibration white finger, deafness, stress, and work related upper limb disorder cases; as well as substantial experience of dealing with large RTA Claims.

Jessica has qualified as a Solicitor Advocate (civil), with full Higher Rights in all UK civil courts. Attaining her Higher Rights reinforces the firm’s commitment to offering a complete and seamless service to our clients. It also further endorses the calibre of specialist expertise at Veitch Penny. Jessica regularly represents insurers at Inquests.

Jessica is an experienced lecturer, having lectured for The Law Society and Central Law Training, and gives regular talks to Insurers and Local Authorities.

In addition to her workload, Jessica became the Editor of the Personal Injury Law Journal in 2004. The Journal is devoted to covering key case decisions, legislation and practice matters affecting personal injury and clinical negligence lawyers, both claimant and defendant.

Jessica is a member of Foil and the Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates.

Darren Salter - Admitted 1997.
Senior Associate Solicitor, FCII

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Qualifications:
FCII

D.O.B:
9th April 1966

Education:
1993 - 1995 - University of the West of England
Postgraduate Diploma in Law.
1995 - 1996 - University of Exeter
Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Experience:
Darren joined the firm in 1996. In 2006 he was appointed Deputy Coroner for Devon and in 2007 he also became a Deputy District Judge. He is a recent past President of Exeter Chartered Insurance Institute.

Darren has considerable experience of claims and the Insurance Industry, having worked for an insurance company and then as a loss adjuster for 10 years before qualifying as a solicitor and joining Veitch Penny. He has a wealth of experience and commitment in handling complex and large value personal injury cases on behalf of insurers and local authorities. Darren also heads our Investigation Department.

He defends a wide variety of injury cases but specialises in public authority, highways, sports/leisure industry, insurance and fraud. He has specialist knowledge of road and workplace fatalities having presided over Coroners Inquests.

Richard Kaye - Admitted 1996.
Senior Associate Solicitor

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Qualifications:
LL.B (Hons); Solicitor; Legal Practice Course with Commendation

D.O.B:
27 April 1972

Education:
1992 - 1995 - University of Hull, Bachelor of Law (Hons) 2.1
1995 - 1996 - Legal Practice Course at the college of law in York
Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Commendation)

Aside from personal injury, Richard is also handling a small number of commercial claims against local authorities.

Richard has also assisted in providing training to clients in areas of law and procedure and has helped the department in compiling a list of medical and non-medical experts.

Richard is the Editor of The Update, our bi-monthly email newsletter, which provides information to clients about the latest legal changes, important decisions, and other news in the Insurance Industry, as well as within the department.

Away from the office, Richard is beginning to build a small collection of original paintings and prints and enjoys playing the piano.

Marie Macfarlane - Admitted 1999.
Senior Associate Solicitor
Young Solicitor of the Year 2004

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Qualifications:
LL.B (Hons); Solicitor

D.O.B:
12th January 1974

Education:
1992 - 1995 - Staffordshire University Bachelor of Law (Hons) 2.1
1995 - 1996 - Legal Practice Course, Staffordshire University.
Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Distinction)

Experience:
Marie handles significant, complex, high-value caseloads of public, employers and road traffic liability claims, including emergency service claims and leisure claims. She deals with Health & Safety prosecutions and inquests. She has a particular interest in fraudulent claims.

In 2006 she joined the in-house legal team at Devon & Cornwall Constabulary to widen her experience in such areas as civil claims, licensing, firearms, disclosure and proceeds of crime matters, before returning to Veitch Penny in 2007.

Marie has prepared and delivered training courses on topics varying from psychiatric claims, Health & Safety prosecutions, tinnitus in road traffic claims, claims against the leisure industry and claims against emergency services.

Marie is a trained mediator, a committee member of the Devon & Exeter Law Society.

In December 2004, Marie was voted Young Solicitor of the Year 2004 by the Devon and Exeter Law Society.

In her spare time she enjoys skiing, running and the gym.

Rachel Billen
Associate Solicitor

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Qualifications:
LLB (Hons) in Law and European Studies
Merit Legal Practice Courses

Education:
1995 - 1998 - University of Central England, Birmingham
1998 - 1999 - University of the West of England, Bristol

Experience:
Rachel originally joined Veitch Penny as a trainee solicitor in 2002 working alongside the Managing Partner and Head of the Commercial Department, gaining experience in all aspects of Commercial matters. Prior to joining the firm, she worked in London and the West Midlands predominately dealing with housing litigation for housing associations and local authorities.

In December 2004 Rachel qualified as a solicitor and continued to handle business matters whilst growing a strong reputation as the Veitch Penny Employment Law specialist. Rachel acts for a wide variety of businesses and has much expertise of handling employment issues on behalf of both the Private and Public sectors.

Rachel officially joined the Insurance team in 2008, offering a new Employment resource to the department.

She regularly assists employers with the preparation and implementation of contracts of employment and other documentation, and advises on internal procedures such as grievances and disciplinary proceedings, severance packages, compromise agreements, redundancies and restructures etc.

Rachel also has expertise in advising on human rights, stress at work, health & safety issues and is able to represent parties at the employment tribunal on a wide range of matters including unfair dismissal, discrimination and equal pay.

Rachel regularly lectures to Private and Public sector employers on a variety of employment law topics ranging from discrimination, changes in legislation, new case law and stress, and writes the weekly employment case-law update, as well as for local publications.

Rachel is a member of the Law Society and the Employment Lawyers Association. Her interests are photography, visiting historical sites, and books.

Lorna Herring
Associate Solicitor

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Qualifications:
LL.B Law Degree 2:1; Legal Practice Course – Pass

D.O.B:
18th June 1984

Education:
2002 – 2005 Law Degree University of the West of England, Bristol
2005 – 2006 Legal Practice Course (LPC) University of the West of England, Bristol

Experience:
Lorna joined Veitch Penny in March 2007 as a paralegal, having previously had experience in Company Commercial work. Lorna became a Trainee Solicitor with the firm in November 2007 and qualified in July 2009.

Since joining Veitch Penny, Lorna has gained a broad range of experience of the Insurance industry, and undertakes both public and employers liability claims, road traffic claims, costs, pre-action disclosure, debt recovery and infant approval hearings.

Lorna was recently involved in the investigation and running of a High Court failure to educate claim – Winser v Devon County Council, which resulted in an 11 day trial, which was successfully defended.

Lorna is a member of the Firm’s in-house costs team.

Lorna regularly contributes to the firm’s update Newsletter, and her recent articles have included The Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mesathelioma, Liability in road traffic accidents, and Multiple Insurance - Who pays when.

In her spare time, she enjoys keeping fit, playing korfball and volunteering for Riding for the Disabled.

Hamish McConachie
Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

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Qualifications:
F.Inst.L.Ex

D.O.B:
6th February 1946

Education:
1966 - 1968 - Birmingham College of Law

Experience:
Hamish has worked in the industry for over 40 years, and joined Veitch Penny as a fee earner in December 2001, adding weight and expertise to the department.

Hamish has specialised in Defendant Personal Injury work since 1975, and has a wealth of experience in local authority work having spent 9 years working for Birmingham City Council where he focused on employer’s liability and highway claims against the council.

Since 1984, Hamish has handled a varied defendant caseload including employer liability, public liability and road traffic accident claims for major Insurance companies and Authorities.

Hamish enjoys playing skittles for relaxation, and and walking in the Devon countryside.

Tina Benson
Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives 

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Education:
1988 - 1989 Bristol Polytechnic, BSc in Applied Biology & subsequently passed all examinations towards Fellowship status of the Institute of Legal Executives, including Civil Litigation with distinction.

Experience:
Tina joined Veitch Penny in 2009 having spent over 20 years working for a number of renowned legal practices in Bristol, Leeds and Exeter.

Tina handles significant, complex, high-value caseloads of public, employers and road traffic liability claims, including stress and psychiatric injury claims.

She has taken many cases to trial on behalf of insurers and undertaken advocacy regularly.

In her spare time she enjoys travelling and cooking.

Alan Bates
Legal Executive

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Qualifications:
Filex

D.O.B:
13th December 1967

Education:
Matthew Boulton College, B'ham 1994 - 1998
Reading College 1998 - 2001
Guildford College 2001 - 2004

Experience:
Alan spent 10 years working for a large insurer claims handling before moving onto do Claimant work for Sydney Mitchell & Co and David Levene Solicitors in Birmingham and then Shoosmiths in Reading/Basingstoke. Moved to Devon in 2004 and worked for Goldbergs Solicitors in Plymouth.

Specialist areas include Road Traffic Accident work.

Alan is a Coventry City fan. Other interests include collecting books, railway history and looking after his many animals including a Flemish Giant Rabbit.

Emma Hearn
Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives 

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Qualifications:
F.Inst.L.Ex

D.O.B:
14th October 1974

Education:
1994-1998 Business Studies Degree Bournemouth University

Experience:
Emma has worked in the industry for 9 years, and joined Veitch Penny as a fee earner in January 2009.

Emma has previously specialised in Personal Injury work and has a wealth of experience in small claims having spent 5 years working for Coles Miller Solicitors in Poole where she focused on road traffic accidents.

Between 2000 - 2003, Emma handled a varied insurance caseload including private medical and road traffic accident claims for major Insurance companies. During this period she obtained a Diploma in Insurance via the Chartered Institute of Insurance.

Emma enjoys walking, and is currently training for the London Moonwalk. She also tries to keep fit at the local gym.

Lily Caine
Litigation Executive and ACII

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Qualifications:
ACII

D.O.B:
22nd November 1969

Education:
1985 - 1987 Exeter College
1987 - 1990 Long Distance Learning - ACII

Experience:
Lily has extensive experience of working with Insurers, having spent 12 years in the Insurance Industry, formerly as a claims correspondent for Municipal Mutual, and claims manager for Marsh UK Ltd; where she was responsible for the management and supervision of the claims department.

Since joining Veitch Penny in 1998, Lily has specialised in fast track and multi track public liability and employer’s liability claims, predominantly for local authorities. Lily has bought her experience to great effect in the handling of professional negligence claims, specialising particularly in surveyors and estate agents.

Significant cases include; B&B v A County Council (COA 2007) and Ley v DCC (QBD, unreported, 28th February 2007).

Her role and her understanding of the insurance industry make her a valuable member of the team.

Matthew Crockett
Claims Handler

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Qualifications:
LLB (Hons) Law Degree

Education:
1997 – 2000 University of Wales, Cardiff
1995 - 1997 Neath & Port Talbot College

Experience:
Matthew has extensive experience and knowledge of the Insurance industry having begun life with Diamond Insurance in Swansea.
At Diamond, Matthew was on the fast track scheme, working in various departments before sharpening his skills within the Personal Injury Department. He dealt with fast track claims for personal injury and uninsured losses. 
During this time at Diamond he was also awarded with the accolade of staff member of the year as voted for by his piers.

In 2003 Matthew joined the claimant department of Veitch Penny. Matthew developed his all around legal knowledge and claims handling skills working on fast and multi track caseload dealing with road traffic claims, occupiers, public and employers liability claims.

In 2008 Matthew returned to his roots, transferring to the insurance department of Veitch Penny to work with Darren Salter.

Bridget Frankpitt
Investigator

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Qualifications:
ILEX Level 4 Diploma in Law

D.O.B:
28th September 1960

Education:
1977 - 1981 - Camberwell School of Arts; Higher Dip Conservation of Prints & Drawings
1994 - 1995 - Exeter College - A Level in Law
1998 - Present - Exeter College - ILEX Training

Experience:
Bridget joined Veitch Penny in 1999 having worked previously for Linklaters & Paines of London, and Jackson McDonald of Perth. She is a full-time Investigator, providing invaluable support to the Insurance Department and with particular experience investigating education and stress claims.

Bridget was the leading investigator in one of the 4 stress cases that went before the Court of Appeal in 2002 and subsequently the House of Lords in February 2004 - Barber v Somerset County Council, (2002).

Bridget has started to develop her own caseload in Claims Handling.

In her spare time she enjoys going to the theatre, listening to music and playing tennis.