Hudgell Solicitors

16/10/2026

A few weeks after completing the Robin Hood Half Marathon in memory of his father, Ian Coates, Darren Coates' remarkable fundraising effort continues apace.

Darren has now raised more than £9,000 in support of Huntingdon Academy, where Ian was a much-loved site manager and caretaker.

Darren’s determination to honour his father's legacy while helping a cause close to his family's hearts has been both moving and inspirational.

Everyone at Hudgell Solicitors would like to congratulate Darren on his incredible fundraising efforts and thank everybody who has donated or provided support so far, including OXEN Sports for supplying his running kit and backing him on the journey.

We're excited to see what Darren achieves next as he continues to close in on his fundraising target.

Learn more: https://www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk/news/company/marathon-man-darren-coates-goes-the-distance

14/10/2026

Congratulations Rachel – Managing Partner of the Year 2026

A few days have passed since the Yorkshire Legal Awards. Now the dust has settled, it feels like the right time to say something more about our CEO, Rachel Di Clemente.

If Rachel were writing this post, she’d make it about everyone around her. But giving her centre stage for once, it’s fair to say Rachel’s leadership has been at the heart of Hudgells’ continued success.

Since joining Hudgells in 2020, Rachel has led a remarkable period of growth and change. She’s helped take the firm onto the national stage, strengthened our culture and created opportunities for people throughout the organisation.

The business has grown significantly under her leadership. But what really sets Rachel apart is how she has fostered that growth.

She knows our people. She listens. She involves colleagues in the journey. She champions development and opportunity. And, importantly, she remains personally connected to the clients and families that we represent.

Whether she’s setting the strategy for the future of the firm, supporting and advising colleagues or personally visiting clients during some of the toughest moments of their lives, Rachel brings the same qualities: compassion, determination and a genuine commitment to doing the right thing.

Shortlisted last year. Winner this year.

Congratulations Rachel – deservedly Managing Partner of the Year 2026.

12/10/2026

Sue Spencer says she 'felt guilty' after being told by doctors to 'stop worrying' that her breast cancer had returned.

Sue, 59, was first diagnosed and treated in 2011. She had a lump in her right breast removed, and then a subsequent mastectomy and reconstruction.

Between 2016 and 2022, Sue says she feared her cancer had returned, as she could feel a lump on her left breast and suffered from persistent pain.

However, she was repeatedly reassured that there was no concern following tests, and says she was told she needed to accept that the cancer had not returned.

In February 2024, when in hospital for tests for diverticulitis, Sue was told scans had identified advanced stage 4 breast cancer, which had spread to the lining of her lungs. It was a terminal diagnosis.

She has shared her story as a huge investigation into the treatment of breast cancer patients at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust continues.

Full story in The Northern Echo: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26618779.county-durham-mum-told-stop-worrying-terminal-cancer/

If you were treated by the trust’s breast cancer team and have concerns, contact our legal team for a free legal clinic consultation by emailing [email protected] or calling 0333 060 8194.

County Durham mum Sue Spencer says a delayed breast cancer diagnosis left her with incurable stage 4 cancer as NHS Trust expands review into patient harm.

09/10/2026

A healthcare company which provides specialist personal support for people with complex health and additional needs in their homes has admitted one of its nurses switched off a teenage patient’s life-critical ventilator system by ‘accident’.

Joy Osundeko’s parents, Bisi and Mayo, of St Helens, Merseyside, say the six minutes the machine was switched off caused a ‘major deterioration’ in her condition until she sadly died four months later.

Due to her complex needs, Joy’s parents had a CCTV system installed in the room where she was cared for, which captured the incident.

Footage captured shows the nurse going through a 10-second process in order to switch off the machine, appearing to twice push and hold a button on the machine, before subsequently pressing the screen before it switches off – making a sound as it shuts down.

Through its lawyers, the care company has admitted that an ‘accident occurred’, and admitted breach of duty of care with regards to the ventilator being switched off.

However, it has made no admissions as to the incident being the cause of any injury to Joy.

The incident was subject to a police investigation, which resulted in charges against the nurse and a criminal trial being listed. However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) later dropped the case, and a Coroner refused to open an inquest.

Joy’s parents say they now feel ‘completely failed’ by a legal system which has brought them ‘no answers’.

Full story: https://www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk/client-stories/healthcare-provider-admits-nurse-switched-off-teenagers-life-critical-ventilator-in-accident-when-providing-specialist-care-at-home

09/10/2026

We're pleased to have been at Headway Salford's Support Worker Conference 2026 yesterday as main event sponsor.

It was fantastic to see support workers, healthcare professionals and industry experts coming together to share knowledge, experiences and best practice, while recognising the incredible difference support workers make every day.

Our CEO, Rachel Di Clemente, and National Head of Serious Injury, Matt Brown, both delivered presentations during the conference, and we were delighted to be joined by Paul Spence, founder of P • A • U • L For Brain Recovery as a guest of Hudgell Solicitors.

We are proud to support an event that celebrates the dedication, compassion and expertise of those helping people rebuild their lives following a life-changing injury.

08/10/2026

Good luck to everyone representing Hudgell Solicitors at this evening’s Yorkshire Legal Awards in Leeds.

Having been recognised as Medium-Sized Law Firm of the Year in 2025, it is an honour to once again be acknowledged among Yorkshire’s leading firms.

This year, we have been shortlisted for Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Team of the Year, in a strong category featuring some outstanding firms. We are also proud to see our Chief Executive, Rachel Di Clemente, named as a finalist in the Managing Partner of the Year category.

These nominations are a reflection of the hard work, dedication and commitment shown by colleagues across the business every day as we continue to support our clients and communities.

Good luck to everyone attending tonight. We hope you all have a brilliant evening and enjoy celebrating the best of the legal profession across Yorkshire.

07/10/2026

Yesterday marked World Cerebral Palsy Day – dedicated to raising awareness, celebrating achievements and recognising the experiences of the 50 million people worldwide living with cerebral palsy.

One of those people is our colleague, Caprice Haughton.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged 2, Caprice endured years of hospital appointments, surgery and physiotherapy. With determination, resilience and the unfaltering support of her mum, she never relinquished her dream of becoming a lawyer.

Now a solicitor in our medical negligence team, Caprice uses her own experiences to help others seek justice following life-changing injuries – making a real difference to her clients’ lives while inspiring everyone around her.

As we reflect on World Cerebral Palsy Day, we're proud to celebrate Caprice's achievements and recognise the strength of the CP community, while continuing to support a more inclusive, accessible future.

06/10/2026

Our client Jeff Bentley expressed pride at being able to ride a motorcycle again after he had two fingers amputated from his left hand following a road traffic accident in Spain.

Jeff and his wife, Susan, were travelling in tandem in Tudela, near Zaragoza, when a vehicle pulled out of a car park and into their path.

Susan suffered extensive bruising and cuts to her arm, but Jeff was hospitalised for four days in a nearby hospital.

The Bentleys, a retired couple from Bradford, were represented by Paul McClorry, an expert accident abroad lawyer for Hudgell Solicitors.

He said: “Our team worked hard on the Bentleys’ behalf and finally, after long negotiations, managed to get the insurer to admit liability.

“This was a significant accident, and Jeff’s life will never be the same again, but the Bentleys have shown an astonishing strength of character to rekindle their love of biking.”

Full story: https://www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk/client-stories/inspirational-client-back-on-his-bike-despite-losing-two-fingers-in-a-road-traffic-accident-abroad

Pensioner Jeff Bentley expressed pride at being able to ride a motorcycle again after he had two fingers amputated following a road accident in Spain.

05/10/2026

We’re counting down the days to the Headway Salford Support Workers Conference at the CorpAcq Stadium on Thursday!

As main event sponsors for the event, Hudgell Solicitors understand the crucial role support workers play in helping people rebuild their lives after brain injury.

We are therefore proud to champion their vital work across the North West by promoting understanding and support to survivors, their families and carers.

As part of the conference, our CEO, Rachel Di Clemente, and Head of Serious Injury, Matt Brown, will share their insights and experiences of helping people following life-changing injuries.

Follow the link below to learn more about the conference, to which entry is free for support workers:
https://headwaysalford.co.uk/2026/01/08/support-worker-conference-2026-a-first-for-brain-injury-support-in-manchester/

02/10/2026

“Laws need to change. Lessons need to be learned. Have a voice. Tell your story.”

Denise Howarth is one of 20 women so far to have been identified as having a mastectomy unnecessarily under County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT).

Catriona Dunbar received a lengthy apology from the trust for causing “unimaginable distress” following the “inappropriate, unpleasant” treatment she received at the breast unit of the CDDFT.

Both women were treated by Amir Bhatti, who has been suspended from all clinical practice during the trust’s investigation, which will now go back to 2015.

Denise and Catriona, who are represented by Hudgell Solicitors, explain why patients and families affected by the scandal are demanding an urgent public inquiry.

If you were treated by the breast cancer team at the trust and have concerns, contact our legal team, who are representing many affected patients, to book a free legal clinic consultation.

To arrange an appointment, email [email protected] or call 0333 060 8194.