BLM bolsters abuse claims practice with Jefferson hire

Must read

The Practical impact of the Procurement Act 2023
– the challenges, the benefits and the legal lacunas

In the second of three articles for Local Government Lawyer on the Procurement
Act 2023 one year after it went live, Katherine Calder and Victoria Fletcher from
DAC Beachcroft consider some of its practical impact and implications, including
how to choose the right regime, how authorities are tackling the notice requirements,
considerations when making modifications, and setting and monitoring KPIs.

The Practical impact of the Procurement
Act 2023 – the challenges, the benefits
and the legal lacunas

Katherine Calder and Victoria Fletcher from DAC Beachcroft
consider some of its practical impact and implications,
including how to choose the right regime, how authorities
are tackling the notice requirements, considerations when
making modifications, and setting and monitoring KPIs.

Weekly mandatory food
waste collections

What are the new rules on food waste collections and why are
councils set to miss the March deadline? Ashfords’ energy
and resource management team explain.

Weekly mandatory food
waste collections

What are the new rules on food waste collections and why are
councils set to miss the March deadline? Ashfords’ energy
and resource management team explain.

The Procurement Act 2023: One Year On -
How procurement processes are evolving

Katherine Calder and Sarah Foster of DAC Beachcroft focus on
changes to procurement design at selection and tender stage in
three key areas of change that the Act introduced.

The Procurement Act 2023: One Year On -
How procurement processes are evolving

Katherine Calder and Sarah Foster of DAC Beachcroft focus on
changes to procurement design at selection and tender stage in
three key areas of change that the Act introduced.

Service charge recovery
and the Building Safety Act 2022

Zoe McGovern, Sian Gibbon and Caroline Frampton set out
what local authorities need to consider when it comes to
the Building Safety Act 2022 and service charge recovery.

Service charge recovery
and the Building Safety Act 2022

Zoe McGovern, Sian Gibbon and Caroline Frampton set out
what local authorities need to consider when it comes to
the Building Safety Act 2022 and service charge recovery.

Fix it fast: How “Awaab’s Law”
is forcing action
Eleanor Jones sets out
what "Awaab's Law"
will mean in practice
for social landlords.

AI and Lawtech solutions to the age-old problem of sourcing Counsel at short notice: A Management perspective

Kye Herbert, Barrister with Litigation Rights and senior manager in local government, shares his insights into how Clerked might assist busy in-house legal teams to claw back precious admin time.

Navigating Local Government Reorganisation

How Blake Morgan supports local authorities through the reorganisation process.

Case study: using enforcement powers for the remediation of buildings

The Government has made funding available, up to £100,000 per building, for local authorities to obtain legal advice on pursuing those responsible for remediating buildings – the Remediation Enforcement Support Fund. (The closing date for local authorities to apply for funding is fast approaching and is currently set for midnight on 28 February 2026.) But how does a local authority effectively…

How Finders International Supports Council Officers

Councils across the UK face a growing number of complex cases involving deceased individuals with no known next of kin, unclaimed estates, and long-term empty properties. These situations demand not only legal precision but also sensitivity, efficiency, and resourcefulness.

Details: 12.Aug.2015

BLM has strengthened its abuse claims team with the hire of Paula Jefferson from DAC Beachcroft as a partner.

At her previous firm Jefferson’s work included advising the BBC in connection with the Jimmy Savile claims.

Sarah Wright and Catherine Davey will also join BLM from DAC Beachcroft.

The trio have had a number of years of experience in acting for faith organisations, including the Church of England, Baptist and Methodist churches, as well as insurers, the Ministry of Defence, independent schools, public bodies and charities.

Jefferson’s team has also defended disease claims, including in relation to stress, bullying and harassment at work.

Michael Pether, head of BLM’s public sector group, said: “The addition of Paula to the team is a major coup for the business and one that will only serve to improve our depth of experience and customer offering across the many sectors where historic and, all too sadly, more recent abuse arises.”

Related Articles

CILEX to seek permission for appeal over Mazur decision on conduct of litigation

18-11-2025

Birmingham settles historic equal pay claims

14-10-2025

Councils secure four-year extension to oil protests injunction

13-10-2025

Court grants interim injunction preventing Welsh council from going ahead with library closures

09-09-2025

Epping Forest to apply to Supreme Court for permission to appeal Court of Appeal ruling on asylum hotel interim injunction

05-09-2025