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Awards

The Legal 500 (2025)

The team at Larcomes focuses on representing claimants in industrial disease claims, covering the full breadth of asbestos-related illnesses. The Portsmouth-based practice is led by the ‘experienced, hard-working and knowledgeable’ Richard Hopgood, who brings a wealth of experience in compensation claims for mesothelioma, pleural thickening, asbestosis and asbestos-related lung cancer. Sarah Wolf is also a key member of the team, boasting particular expertise in mesothelioma matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
 

Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

Sarah Wolf is superb.’
‘Larcomes has a very experienced asbestos disease claim team based in Portsmouth, which covers the whole of the South East’.

The Legal 500 Ranking: 2025

The industrial disease team at Larcomes in Portsmouth excels in asbestos-related illness claims and attracts praise for its ‘attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile on behalf of clients’. 

Richard Hopgood heads up the department and is highly regarded for his knowledge of industrial disease matters; clients single out his ’empathetic approach and relentless focus on meeting client needs’. Sarah Wolf joined the practice in March 2024 and handles asbestos and mesothelioma cases.

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Larcomes has a strong presence in the asbestos market because of its reputation, expertise and experience.’

‘Richard Hopgood is a first-class litigator who has had decades of experience in dealing with asbestos-related claims in the South East. His client care is “second-to-none” and his clients rightly have every confidence in him.’

Chambers & Partners (2025)

PERSONAL INJURY: MAINLY CLAIMANT: INDUSTRIAL DISEASES – UK-WIDE

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Larcomes fields an established industrial disease practice based in Portsmouth. The team is best known for its expert knowledge and representation of claimants in mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease claims. It frequently represents claimants who had been employed in local dockyards and shipbuilding industries.

Strengths

“Larcomes is a very effective and efficient team of experts focused on finding a prompt resolution for clients.”

“They have very specialised knowledge and do not shy away from tricky matters.”

Notable Practitioners (Band Three)

Richard Hopgood heads the industrial disease team. He is recognised for his expertise in industrial disease claims such as mesothelioma and asbestos-related cases, especially for those formerly employed in dockyards. 

“Richard is an expert at what he does and the needs of his clients always come first to him.” “He is tenacious in that he keeps going and leaves no stone unturned in order to achieve really good results.”

The Legal 500 (2023)

Larcomes is prominent in the area of asbestos-related disease claims, a field it has focused on for four decades. The head of team is Richard Hopgood, ‘a formidable litigator who has a great manner with clients‘, who for 20 years has represented disease victims and their families in compensation claims connected with asbestos-related pleural thickening, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Practice head(s):

Richard Hopgood

Testimonials

‘Efficient with good communication’

‘Richard Hopgood is outstanding in all aspects’

‘Larcomes have a significant practice dealing with asbestos related injury claims in the South East area’

Chambers and Partners (2023)

Larcomes is prominent in the area of asbestos-related disease claims, a field it has focused on for four decades. The head of team is Richard Hopgood, ‘a formidable litigator who has a great manner with clients‘, who for 20 years has represented disease victims and their families in compensation claims connected with asbestos-related pleural thickening, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Practice head(s):

Richard Hopgood

Testimonials

‘Efficient with good communication’

‘Richard Hopgood is outstanding in all aspects’

‘Larcomes have a significant practice dealing with asbestos related injury claims in the South East area’

The Legal 500 (2023)

Led by Portsmouth-based Mark Tooley and Sandra Phillips, Larcomes‘ family law practice is especially well known for its experience in complex childcare cases, with significant experience taking matters to the high court. Tooley regularly works on cases involving domestic and emotional abuse, neglect, and drug and alcohol misuse, while Phillips heads up the wider family department and has experience in matters relating to residence and guardianship. Jennie Swaby is also recommended for her focus on public children law.

Practice head(s):

Mark Tooley; Sandra Phillips

Other key lawyers:

Jennie Swaby

Testimonials

‘The family team at Larcomes (Mark Tooley, Jennie Swaby, and Sandra Phillips) are quite simply exceptional. Their strength lies in their compassionate and kind approach to their clients, coupled with their skilful knowledge of the law. They are well equipped to provide calm, rational advice at a time of family crisis. They are equally at home representing parents, children and guardians.’

‘Mark Tooley is an excellent solicitor advocate, whose cross-examination skills are equal to the Bar. Jennie Swaby is regularly instructed in complex cases.’

‘The Family team has a breadth and depth of knowledge in family law. Led by Mark Tooley, each member of the team is highly experienced. They present cases with confidence and in a manner that tactically serves to best meet the needs of their clients.’

Mark Tooley Law Society National Solicitor Advocate of the Year

At the esteemed Excellence Awards held by the Law Society of England and Wales, Mark Tooley from Larcomes Legal Limited LLP was honoured as Solicitor Advocate of the Year for 2018.

Read the full press release here.

Accreditations

Larcomes