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Kate Blacklidge

Senior Associate

Manchester

Kate.Blacklidge@brownejacobson.com

+44 (0)330 045 2249

Manchester

Kate is a senior associate in the inquest and advisory team. She advises a variety of NHS Trusts and private healthcare organisations. She provides representation in complex and frequently high-profile inquest hearings, conducting advocacy in jurisdictions across the country. 

Having previously specialised in criminal defence and inquest related matters across various sectors, including education, charities, sports, health and social care, Kate is able to apply her knowledge of wider risks and commerciality in her advice to healthcare organisations, and works closely with clients’ governance teams to obtain the best possible outcome at inquest, protect reputation, and guard against future risks.

Often dealing with very sensitive cases, and with a high media interest, Kate is adept at supporting clinicians through the evidence gathering and inquest process. 

Featured experience

Eating Disorder / Mental Health Inquest

Advising and representing a healthcare provider in an inquest concerning the physical and mental health aspects of Anorexia Nervosa, and national issues relating to the commissioning of Eating Disorder treatment. Multi-party Article 2 inquest including three NHS Trusts, the CQC, NHS England, and a CCG.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Inquest

Representing an NHS Trust in relation to the death of a baby whose father was convicted of its murder. Healthcare professionals involved were unaware of his history of a conviction for child cruelty. Article 2 inquest, involving the Council, local and Metropolitan Police, Home Office, and Ministry of Justice.

Death of Premature Baby

Representing the ambulance service and acute hospital trust in relation to the death of a premature baby who was born at home. The inquest concerned the circumstances of the mother’s discharge from hospital earlier that day, being assured that she was not in premature labour.

Teenage Mental Health Death

Representing a community mental health trust in relation to the death of a teenager with emotional dysregulation. They had made several previous suicide attempts but did not meet criteria for specialist inpatient stay and were receiving dialectical behaviour therapy when they took their own life.

Testimonials