Personal injury
Solicitor
Paul leads the firm’s personal injury department. A partner since 2010, he undertakes difficult, complex and high-value claims and is a specialist in brain, spine, amputee and catastrophic injury cases. With a strong focus on rehabilitation to help maximise quality of life for the injured person and their family, he is highly motivated to help victims of accidents obtain justice.
Aiming always to put the injured person and his or her family at ease, and to provide advice and support in an empathetic, straightforward and unfussy way, Paul works closely with rehabilitation professionals to ensure that all support structures are working well – he is not afraid gently to ‘shake things up’ in the legal process to make sure his clients’ rehabilitation has the maximum chance of success.
Paul qualified as a solicitor in 1990 and has since worked on a great variety of personal injury cases including professional negligence, clinical negligence, injury claims for victims of sexual abuse, claims against the police and claims against the Ministry of Defence, as well as a number of group actions relating to abuse at children’s care homes.
Having had a great deal of success in recent years in face-to-face settlement of high-value cases at mediations and round-table meetings with between defendants and insurers, Paul prides himself on forging working relationships based upon mutual respect and good humour. He is particularly aware that honest and straightforward communication is crucial in bringing cases to a fair conclusion.
However, he takes a tenacious approach to evidence-gathering and is not afraid of driving the claims process forward using a robust legal approach. In its prestigious legal directory, Chambers recognises Paul as an excellent practitioner in the South of England who has great empathy with clients and genuinely goes the extra mile to secure the greatest financial benefits for them. (Chambers Legal Directory 2019) He regularly handles high-value claims pertaining to amputee cases as well as catastrophic brain and spinal injuries, with particular focus on rehabilitation and quality of life for claimants. Sources regard him as a major player whose talents are recognised by the insurance industry. (Chambers Legal Directory 2018)
Member, Law Society Personal Injury Panel
Senior litigator, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)
Accredited brain injury specialist (APIL)
2010 to present – partner, George Ide
2003 to 2010 – solicitor, George Ide
2000 to 2003 – partner, Blake Lapthorn Portsmouth
1990 to 2000 – solicitor, Blake Lapthorn Portsmouth
1987 to 1988 – College of Law, Guildford
1984 to 1987 – Bristol University, LLB
1977 to 1984 – King Edward VI Grammar School, Stratford upon Avon
Office: Lion House, St Pancras, Chichester
Direct telephone: 01243 812405
email address: paul.fretwell@georgeide.co.uk
