Greenwoods Solicitors

Greenwoods has a vast amount of experience in helping public sector organisations manage legal disputes efficiently, cost effectively and with the minimum disruption to the core public service.

Our clients include city and county councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan councils, police forces, fire and ambulance services and other public bodies throughout England. We provide tailored advice, helping in-house legal and insurance teams meet budgetary targets without eroding the quality of the public service itself.

We handle the whole range of claims and other disputes faced by public sector organisations, from employer and public liability claims such as stress, abuse and harassment to malfeasance cases such as false imprisonment, assault and aggravated damages claims. We deal with highways claims, street works claims, major property damage, property disputes, inquests, operational matters, IPCC issues and also provide a ‘blue light’ service in relation to motor claims. We also advise on the management of any actual or potential media interest.

Once a case is underway, we work with our client, whether a public authority or a police force, to identify trends which enable them to reduce the costs of claims. Where appropriate, we defend claims in the strongest possible manner and whatever the nature of the case, we ensure steps are taken to prevent similar claims arising in future.

With years of experience defending public sector bodies, we understand the pressures and demands placed upon them and the difficulties presented by unwelcome press attention. We know that in certain cases, such as highway claims, local authorities need to adopt a robust approach to ensure public funds are properly protected, whereas in sensitive cases involving issues such as stress, harassment and abuse, a very different approach is usually required.

Counter Fraud
Our Counter Fraud Group has vast experience of investigating fraudulent claims, whether relating to highway claims or exaggerated property and personal injury claims. Working closely with experts such as surveyors, medical experts and psychiatrists and using our intelligence database, we aim to achieve the strongest possible repudiation of every fraudulent claim.

Health & Safety
No matter how well managed, any public sector organisation can find itself in a health and safety, environmental or other regulatory crisis. Greenwoods’ Health & Safety team is an acknowledged leader in the defence of manslaughter, health and safety and other regulatory prosecutions. We handle a wide range of work, including the defence of public sector bodies facing prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive in respect of injuries and fatalities.