Dr Louisa Sherlock

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

Louisa practised as a dental surgeon for over a decade, both within the NHS and privately.

Given her professional background, Louisa accepts instructions from both Claimants and Defendants in all aspects of Clinical Negligence work, bringing her experience to bear. She can readily understand the terminology used in medical and dental records. Louisa 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), dental surgeons and dental nurses on relevant legal matters as part of their Continuing Professional Development, and has drafted precedents for Lexis-Nexis.

Louisa has extensive experience in matters involving expert witnesses, including holding 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.

Louisa’s notable cases include Bailey v Bijlani and MBNA Limited [2025] EWHC 175 (KB), 2025 WL 00364105. 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.

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);
• successful application to appeal

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

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. As well as treating patients, she assisted with the running of a busy NHS practice and helped staff to prepare for CQC inspections.

Louisa carried out further training with the Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, and following additional training with an internationally renowned dental surgeon, developed a private practice involving cosmetic dentistry, invisible orthodontics and facial aesthetics. She also did some work for a nation-wide facial aesthetics company.

Expertise