Dr Louisa Sherlock

Clinical Negligence

Louisa is dual qualified in dentistry and law. She was called to the Bar in 2018 and commenced pupillage the same year, commencing tenancy in 2019.

Drawing on her background as a dental surgeon for over ten years in both NHS and private practice, Louisa brings a combination of clinical insight and legal expertise to her work. She accepts instructions for both claimants and defendants across the full spectrum of clinical negligence work. Having treated patients in a hospital setting from the age of twenty, she is highly familiar with medical and dental terminology and adept at analysing clinical records. She is accustomed to rapidly assimilating and distilling complex medical evidence.

Louisa regularly conducts cases from pre-action through to trial, including drafting letters of claim, pleadings and schedules, advising on liability and quantum and appearing at CCMCs.

Her experience includes the following:

• failure to diagnose a fracture which resulted in an amputation;
• failure to diagnose sepsis which resulted in death;
• failure to diagnose cancer which resulted in premature death;
• failure to properly manage labour, resulting in stillbirth;
• negligently performed gastric surgery;
• dental negligence (for both Claimant and Defendant);
• vaginal mesh cases;
• successful appeal of a decision at first instance.

Louisa was junior to Henry Pitchers KC in a complex brain injury case involving multiple experts.

Louisa’s notable cases include Bailey v Bijlani and MBNA Limited [2025] EWHC 175 (KB). Louisa represented MBNA Limited, the Second Defendant (a credit card company) in a 5 day hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice. The Claimant established that the First Defendant had been negligent and further that she had a claim against the Second Defendant by way of s75 Consumer Credit Act 1974 who was jointly and severally liable because the Claimant had paid for treatment using her MBNA credit card. The judge determined that the Second Defendant was entitled to an indemnity and/or contribution from the First Defendant in respect of damages and costs. Insofar as damages were concerned such indemnity/contribution would be on a 100% basis. In respect of costs, the Court explained the need to consider the form of order, and any relevant submissions, before determining the issue (albeit in principle the Second Defendant being likely to be entitled to recoup costs that it is required to pay on 100% basis). Though jointly and severally liable, there was no suggestion that the Second Defendant was liable other than through the mechanism of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Louisa has extensive experience in matters involving expert witnesses, including conferences with experts, and cross-examines expert witnesses as part of their assessment with the Expert Witness Institute. She has successfully argued Daniels v Walker at trial.

She has recently written the book, “A Practical Guide to Dental Negligence Litigation”, published in April 2023. She regularly provides lectures to expert witnesses (in conjunction with Bond Solon)and dental surgeons on relevant legal matters as part of their Continuing Professional Development, and has drafted precedents for Lexis-Nexis.

Throughout her legal training, Louisa received numerous awards, including the Lord Denning scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn.

Louisa is also qualified as an international civil-commercial mediator and can conduct mediations, both in person and online, as well as represent clients in mediations.

As a dental surgeon, Louisa was praised for her attention to detail and sensitivity when working with anxious patients. She is therefore well placed to work with clients who are understandably feeling anxious when facing the prospect of litigation.