I have been a partner at Fieldfisher since 2003. I have specialised in medical negligence claims for 20 years; particularly those involving children brain-injured at birth. I have been on the specialist AvMA panel for over a decade.
I am highly regarded for my tenacity, devoted client care and strong legal expertise. I am considered to be a top-notch litigator and a go-to lawyer for clinical negligence claims.
Particular interests include: obstetrics (cerebral palsy; kernicterus; Erb’s palsy, traumatic deliveries, pre-eclampsia cases); fetal medicine (wrongful birth); cases resulting in infertility or the need for surrogacy; paediatrics and neonatology; neurosurgery, gynaecology and cancer claims.
In 2018 I secured an award of £23million for a child who suffered serious brain damage at the age of 2 due to negligent cardiac surgery which caused her to have a stroke. I also secured damages of £19 million in the case of a baby who developed neonatal jaundice which was not treated properly with a full blood exchange. This caused brain damage (kernicterus) resulting in cerebral palsy and a complex hearing disorder.
I am a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and sit on the Clinical Disputes Forum. I am an active charity fundraiser.
What others say…
Sam is a class act. She knows her cases in and out, always goes the extra mile, and is a totally safe pair of hands even for the most complex and high-value matters.
Samantha Critchley: outstanding preparation, meticulous work and commitment to clients.
Samantha Critchley is extremely thorough and leaves no stone unturned.
She is simply superb: all over the detail, proactive, knowledgeable, calm, relentless and, most of all, extremely empathetic. You want her on your side.
Samantha Critchley is head and shoulders above her peer group. Bright, dynamic, caring and ferociously hard working. You always want Sam in the room or at the table.
Samantha Critchley is another excellent and vastly experienced litigator – dedication and thoroughness personified.
Samantha Critchley is a leader in this sphere. She fights for her clients and does a great job. She is experienced, thorough and caring, and time and time again she goes above and beyond.
She is excellent; not only superb on the detail but strategically amazing. She surrounds herself with the best experts and is somebody you would always want on your side.
Samantha Critchley is amazing. She will consistently go that extra mile on each occasion to get the best outcome; surrounding herself with the best experts and team and genuinely caring about her client. She is fully invested in the matter and literally works round the clock. She misses nothing.
Samantha is one of the most meticulous, well-prepared and committed litigators in the jurisdiction.
"She is hugely impressive, has a great grasp on cases and really knows the area inside and out."
