An experienced clinical negligence lawyer at West Midlands’ law firm Higgs & Sons has been appointed a Deputy District Judge on the Midlands Circuit.
Sue Allen successfully completed the rigorous application process and following in-depth training and ‘sitting in’ days – shadowing an experienced DJ – hopes to preside over her first case before the end of the year.
“I was delighted to receive the news that I had been selected,”
said Sue this week.
“It is a highly competitive process which actually began in Spring 2018, and involved online assessments, an interview, role playing and background scrutiny.
“Everyone here at Higgs has been incredibly supportive, and I am especially grateful to Andy Shaw for his encouragement and backing.”
Associate Solicitor Sue joined Higgs & Sons more than 10 years ago with a background in advising defendants in clinical negligence claims. She previously worked as a solicitor based at Royal & Sun Alliance. She is an accredited member of the Law Society clinical negligence panel, which recognises expertise in this area of law, and a CEDR trained mediator.
Partner and head of PI and Clinical Negligence at Higgs Andy Shaw said:
“This is a wonderful achievement for Sue, but also extremely pleasing for Higgs as it is a recognition of the experience and quality we have here at the firm. “We look forward to Sue sharing with us the knowledge and insight she gains from sitting as a civil judge.”
Outside of work, Sue is a volunteer leader for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a local youth group in Dudley, which takes young people from bronze through to gold and she has even attended Gold Award ceremonies at St James’ Palace and Buckingham Palace.
Deputy district judges are appointed by the Lord Chancellor through the Judicial Appointments Commission and sit in the county courts on civil rather than criminal cases. Sue’s is a part-time role that will run alongside her existing ‘day job’ at Higgs, where she supports those who have been injured by clinical negligence. Sue will sit for up to 30 court days a year.
Higgs & Sons is one of the Midlands' leading law firms and is headquartered at the Waterfront Business Park in the heart of the Black Country and employs more than 230 people offering a wide range of legal services.