Heather Durston-Hillyer

Heather specialises in clinical negligence claims defending a range of NHS and private health clients.

She has over 22 years’ experience advising key health clients including NHS Resolution (formerly NHSLA), the medical defence union and NHS Trusts across the south of England.

She is currently involved in many complex and high value matters including those involving brain and spinal injury to both adults and children. Heather has particular expertise in birth injury claims involving cerebral and Erb's palsy as well as wrongful birth.

Cases that Heather is currently managing include those involving complex liability and quantum issues arising from paediatric meningitis, stroke, cauda equina and other catastrophic neurological injury. Heather has particular expertise in birth injury claims involving cerebral and erb’s palsy as well as wrongful birth.

Recent experience includes:

• Successfully defending an NHS Trust at trial in a complex paediatric causation case valued at over £22 million where the claimant was alleged to have sustained catastrophic neurological injury during neonatal care.
• Advising a major private London hospital in defending a complex multi-party claim valued in excess of £10 million brought by an internationally renowned artist arising out of spinal treatment which it is alleged resulted in paralysis.
• Advising on and negotiating settlement of £23 million in a claim for catastrophic brain damage sustained as a consequence of delays in the claimant’s delivery which occurred when her mother went into labour at home and an emergency situation arose.

Heather is recognised as a leading defendant clinical risk lawyer in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

The Legal 500 UK 2019 Edition said “Heather Durston-Hillyer stands out as a partner who genuinely cares about her clients and goes above and beyond when I needed help and advice.”

Chambers & Partners UK 2019 Edition states: Heather Durston-Hillyer is "an extremely able and highly experienced lawyer" who regularly advises NHS Resolution on catastrophic brain, birth and spinal injury claims. Market sources say: "She's an experienced trial lawyer who has insight, excellent judgement and the flexibility to move around changing circumstances."

Chambers and Partners UK 2018 Edition Clinical Negligence: Mainly Defendant wrote that “She is extremely thorough, very well prepared and gives top-class advice.” .