I’m Gillian Gadsby, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Gadsby Wicks.

In 1993, I had the idea to start a law firm dedicated solely to medical negligence law, ensuring that those affected by substandard treatment receive the most expert and comprehensive service possible.

Today, I’m proud to be Managing Partner of one of the most reputable and trusted medical negligence firms in the country. Here you can learn more about my career and my path to forming Gadsby Wicks.

If you’d like to learn more about Gadsby Wicks’ history, expertise and values, visit our ‘about us’ page.

When you win a case for someone, you can almost see the weight that has been lifted off their shoulders. The compensation doesn’t undo the damage but it does mean that they have one less thing to worry about as they get on with their lives.

Gillian Gadsby

Why did you become a medical negligence solicitor?

From a young age, I was fascinated by the role that rules play in our society. With age, I came to appreciate how enforcing these rules is critical to protecting our rights.

This, combined with my preference to support the underdog, led me to pursue a career as a medical negligence solicitor. As a natural problem solver with an analytical mind, law was always an appealing avenue for me. Over time, I have developed a keen ability to see the bigger picture and anticipate change – essential qualities I see reflected in our firm’s growth.

I find it immensely rewarding to advocate for those who have suffered due to substandard medical treatment, helping them secure the justice and compensation they deserve. This fuelled my ambition to form a firm that only specialised in this field, and what keeps me as driven today as I was when I first started this journey.

Why did you form Gadsby Wicks?

When I was a Partner in a larger, general practice, my interest in clinical negligence work grew significantly. At the same time, I realised that these cases demanded more specialist expertise, resources and focus than a broader, generalist firm could deliver.

I shared my thoughts with Roger Wicks, the Head of Civil Litigation at my practice. We both believed there was a better way to help those affected by medical negligence. So we took the risk of leaving the comfort of our positions and forming our own firm.

This was a big gamble. Niche legal practices were much less common in the 1990s, and many thought we were crazy to put all our eggs in one legal basket. But we persevered, and today our single-minded focus has become Gadsby Wicks’ greatest strength.

For over 30 years, we have never worked in other areas of the law, and established ourselves among the best clinical negligence solicitors in the country – a reputation I’m immensely proud to hold.

Gillian and the team were available to answer even the smallest of questions, making the whole process easier to understand. My case was tragic but understanding was given at all times with realistic answers without any misleading guidance. I am so glad I chose such a caring yet professional company who really are at the top of their league.

Ms Lloyd-Briden

What was your legal background before founding Gadsby Wicks?

I qualified as a solicitor at a general practice in Chelmsford after completing my studies at the University of East Anglia. This initial experience gave me a broad education across all areas of the law.

Later, I joined a larger local firm, where my focus on clinical negligence began to form. I was soon promoted to a Junior Partner position, and met Roger Wicks, a highly skilled expert in medical negligence matters.

Roger and I formed Gadsby Wicks in 1993, channelling our expertise to provide people affected by negligent treatment with the best possible representation.

Over 30 years later, I’m still here and continuing to help people in Essex, East Anglia and beyond get the compensation, answers and justice they deserve.

What are your responsibilities at Gadsby Wicks?

As Managing Partner at Gadsby Wicks, it is my responsibility to oversee all aspects of the business. This includes taking steps to ensure we comply with all regulatory standards and financial authorities, as well as other day-to-day administrative duties.

Beyond this, I also adopt a consultancy and mentorship role, supervising all medical negligence solicitors throughout our practice.

For the junior members of the team, this is a more active responsibility, where I provide guidance, education and training. For our more senior litigators, I am someone to discuss cases with, and explore ideas, evidence and strategies together.

Our collaborative approach is one of our core strengths at Gadsby Wicks. Through open communication, we all draw upon our diverse range of skills and expertise to provide the best support for our clients.

What challenges have you faced in your legal career?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced is undoubtedly the sudden and unexpected loss of my founding partner, Roger Wicks, in 2016. It was Roger who first inspired me to make the bold decision to launch our own firm back in 1993, and his principled, fearless nature was a driving factor in our initial growth.

His passing threatened to upend our ship entirely. But the strength and resilience of the firm we had created together helped us to bear the blow and survive. And to this day, Roger’s unswerving commitment to our clients and commitment to fighting for people’s right to justice still permeates everything we do at Gadsby Wicks.

In addition, I’ve needed to navigate the ever-changing world of civil litigation, from the introduction of “no win, no fee” agreements to the rising number of claims. But thanks to our skilled, experienced team, we have navigated every hurdle that comes our way.

These experiences, albeit challenging, have only strengthened my resolve to be the best medical negligence firm possible, constantly honing our processes, expertise and approach to deliver successful results for our clients.

What do you find fulfilling about your role?

For over 30 years in medical negligence, what keeps me motivated is helping those who have had their lives turned upside-down by a medical mistake secure the compensation and answers they need to move on from what happened to them.

While I can’t undo the harm they’ve endured, I can do everything in my power to make sure my clients get explanations to help them find closure and recover the compensation required to protect their financial future. When I can help someone not feel as though they’re a victim, I know I’ve done my job properly.

I also find it fulfilling to navigate people through the complexities of medical negligence. We’re not an area of law that many think about until it affects them directly, so people naturally have a lot of questions about what we do. I relish the opportunity to answer these key questions and educate others on the subject I’ve dedicated my career to.

That’s why I launched my own podcast – Medical Negligence Matters – in 2024. It’s my way of building people’s understanding of medical negligence and providing answers to their all-important questions in an engaging, digestible manner.

Excellent service and I have since recommended to a friend and a colleague. Gillian was compassionate, empathetic and thoroughly professional whilst remaining warm and approachable. I felt totally comfortable, well-informed and supported throughout. Customer care is 5*.

Ms Cowan

What is your vision for the future of Gadsby Wicks?

My hope for the future of Gadsby Wicks is to continue the remarkable work we have done for people injured in the course of their healthcare, and to maintain the principles that have made us a widely trusted medical negligence firm for the past 30+ years.

We will continue to only represent claimants, not hospitals or doctors. I believe the expertise of medical defence organisations such as NHS Resolution can put claimants at a disadvantage, so we have only, and will ever only, fight for claimants to level the playing field.

Beyond this, I hope a lasting legacy of Gadsby Wicks is to change people’s perception of medical negligence solicitors. We are not the ‘ambulance chasers’ often portrayed in the media. We are the advocates for people whose lives were changed by someone they thought they could trust, ensuring they get the justice they’re owed.

Do you have accreditations and professional memberships?

Since achieving my LLB (Hons) from the University of East Anglia in 1986 and qualifying as a solicitor in 1989, I have pursued and achieved numerous accreditations and memberships to maximise my development as a solicitor and demonstrate my decades of expertise.

In addition, I’m ranked as a Band 1 as an expert in Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant by Chambers & Partners – a ranking I have held for 28 years – and am listed in the Hall of Fame of the Legal 500 under Clinical negligence: Claimant.

Reference links

Meet our medical negligence claims solicitors

True specialists. Expert solicitors. Here for you.

Gillian Gadsby - Medical Negligence Solicitor, Co-founder and Managing Partner
Solicitor and Managing Partner
Gillian Gadsby
Read more
Tami Frankel - Solicitor and Partner at Gadsby Wicks
Solicitor and Partner
Tami Frankel
Read more
Tony Mitty - Medical Negligence Solicitor and Partner at Gadsby Wicks
Solicitor and Partner
Tony Mitty
Read more
Alan Mendham - Qualified Solicitor and Partner
Solicitor and Partner
Alan Mendham
Read more

Team member accreditations

Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant - Gillian Gadsby - Chambers & Partners
The Law Society - Clinical Negligence Accredited
Avma 01
Avma 02
Senior Litigator - Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
Gillian's Featured Insights
View all Insights

Reach out to an expert

1Claim type
2Your message
3Your details

Not sure what you need? Let us help you…

What type of claim does your enquiry relate to?

What type of claim does your enquiry relate to:

Tell us as much background about your situation as possible, so we can thoroughly investigate your case.

And finally, just a few details so that one of our expert solicitors can get in touch.