High Court Ruling: English Law in Multi-Vehicle Collision

Contact
Table of Contents
High Court victory
Siobhan McIvor, Partner in the Personal Injury Department, has succeeded in obtaining judgment for her seriously injured client in a recent High Court trial arising from a high speed multi-vehicle road traffic collision in which one participant died and another was catastrophically injured.
English or Bulgarian law?
Amongst other issues the trial involved complex arguments as to whether English or Bulgarian law applied to the claim given those injured in the accident were Bulgarian seasonal workers working in England when the accident occurred and so arguably habitually resident in Bulgaria (the Court will tend to apply the law of whatever country those involved in an accident are habitually resident).
Outcome
The Court concluded that although those injured were habitually resident in Bulgaria, the circumstances surrounding the accident were considered to be more closely connected with England than Bulgaria and it was in England that the centre of gravity of the claim was located, so English law should apply (which decision has the consequence of the injured claimants receiving higher compensation awards than if Bulgarian law had applied.)
Bulgarian expertise
Siobhan McIvor was assisted by our Bulgarian speaking lawyer, Elida Dimitrova, who provided a full Bulgarian speaking service to our client.
How we can help
Osbornes Law specialises in complex road traffic accident claims where the claimant has sustained fatal, catastrophic or serious injuries including accidents where those involved in the accident are not permanent residents of the UK.
To speak with one of our personal injury solicitors, contact us by:
- Filling in our online enquiry form; or
- Calling us on 020 7485 8811
Share this article
Contact us today
Call us 020 7485 8811
For all new enquiries, please submit your details via the contact forms on our website. This will ensure your query reaches the right team and is handled promptly.
Exceptionally professional and efficient, whilst also being sympathetic to mum’s physical and mental recovery following the accident.
I had absolute confidence in Siobhan’s ability to deliver a result that would reflect the horror of what mum went through. I had no idea what a great result we would end up with as a result of Siobhan’s hard work.
Siobhan was recommended to me by a friend and I’m very grateful that they did so. Similarly, I would have no hesitation in recommending Siobhan to anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in a similar situation and searching for justice.The team offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims and regularly acts for foreign nationals.
It has considerable experience in cases arising from motor accidents and accidents at work.
Osbornes has a well-regarded personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims, including fatalities and severe injuries regarding the brain and spinal cord.
Osbornes have expert leadership. They are very client-centred and provide great communication.
They have got a team of strong partners who are experienced and capable, and their lawyers have a can-do attitude and don't seem to be fazed by anything.
They grasp complex and sophisticated matters quickly.
From partners to associates, the lawyers are committed to ensuring a successful outcome for every client.
They have intelligent, experienced lawyers who advise their clients very carefully.
Osbornes deal with their clients in a very professional manner, attempting to get the best results at all times.
Ben Posford, head of catastrophic injury, is well-known for spinal cord and cauda equina claims, including high-profile fatality work.
Osbornes fields a specialist personal injury team with standout expertise in catastrophic trauma, regularly securing multimillion-pound settlements in spinal, brain, and amputation cases.
Excellent firm with a good insight into and prosecution of catastrophic PI work handled by an experienced team.
Without doubt, Osbornes are the firm to watch in London.
This team is growing in profile all the time. The firm now has many of London's leading personal injury solicitors.
The file handlers I have worked with are experienced and expert personal injury practitioners who can be relied upon to achieve excellent outcomes for the client.
They are very supportive of their clients and are willing to take on difficult cases.
This team is very well organised and approach their cases with great attention to detail.
They have particular expertise in dealing with Eastern European clients who speak little or no English as they have native speakers within their team.
Osbornes is a excellent firm for high value and complex personal injury work.
Osbornes Law is a really strong team with a lot of depth.
Osbornes work professionally as a team, responding diligently to emails or telephone calls.
Their team includes bright, hard-working solicitors dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for their clients from partner level to paralegal. Their client care is exceptional.
They are a team who are highly respected in the PI sector.
This is an excellent PI team doing a broad range of PI work.
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims, with notable strength in acting for European clients for whom English is not a first language.
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims.
Ben Posford is fiercely bright, with an unrivalled passion for his clients’ cases. His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things PI is second to none. His foresight and commercial nous have propelled Osbornes into the highest echelons of the market where they rightly belong.
The firm has an excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants, managed by recruiting paralegals with multi-language skills – an impressive route for expansion of the caseload.
Great expanding team with expertise and respect in the sector. Led by a commercially savvy and business minded team.
A really excellent group of PI solicitors, notable for their individual quality.’
A niche firm that punches well above its weight in the catastrophic injury sector, borne out by the quality of work they obtain.
This combination of experience and diligence reaps massive rewards for clients, Osbornes being well known in the industry as a fantastic firm.
The Osbornes personal injury team now comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business.
Excellent coverage of personal injury, and traumatic brain injury. There is a real specialism in claimants who do not speak English as a first language.
The group is noted for its expertise in matters relating to cycling injuries, and is the official legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign charity.
To complement its strong reputation for high-value and complex personal injury work, the firm continues to develop its 'excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants'
"Osbornes comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business"
"Your advice has given me belief that the legal system can and does favour those who have suffered loss and injury - both physically and mentally. I hope that you continue to have a long and successful career in your field, as you have been a great listener and friend throughout proceedings."
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team at Osbornes who have really helped me to overcome such a difficult time following the accident. You in particular have made it a painless exercise in dealing with all matters, and through responding and communicating so well."
Siobhan has done me very proud and I would recommend Osbornes any day. Thank you so much for all you’re hard work.
Siobhan is a very good lawyer, she is very professional. I was lucky to have my case with her.
Siobhan is a very professional lawyer, quick response, always happy to explain everything and helpful.
Related InsightsVIEW ALL
- 3.7.2026
Case Study: Cyclist broke both elbows and jaw...
Greg Simmons, 36, was cycling in Edmonton, North London in February 2025 when his wheel struck a plastic lane divider in a...
Read more - 19.6.2026
Case Study: Brachial Plexus Injury After a Motorcycle...
A short ride to work changed our client’s life in seconds. As an experienced motorcyclist made his way along...
Read more - 15.6.2026
Six Figure Settlement After Machinery Accident
Securing a six figure settlement for a Romanian worker following a devastating machinery accident Our client, Mr D, a Romanian...
Read more - 5.3.2026
Six-Figure Settlement for Pedestrian Struck at Zebra Crossing
Eloise Mears, a personal injury solicitor at Osbornes Law, recently secured a six-figure settlement for her client, Mr S, following...
Read more - 2.3.2026
7-figure Settlement in Fatal Cycling Accident Claim involving...
Devastating loss after a fatal road traffic collision Losing a loved one in a sudden road traffic accident is overwhelming....
Read more - 25.11.2025
£800,000 Compensation for Injured Construction Worker
£800,000 compensation secured for injured construction worker after career-ending hand injury When a hardworking 35-year-old construction worker suffers a life-changing injury...
Read more - 5.11.2025
Case Study: £12 Million Compensation for Paralysed Motorcyclist
Summary: In October 2025, a motorcyclist received £12 million in compensation for life-changing injuries sustained in a 2020 accident that left him tetraplegic....
Read more - 27.10.2025
Forest Bike Accident Sparks Calls for Insurance Law...
Forest bike crash prompts calls for insurance reform A cyclist who was eight hours from death after colliding with a...
Read more - 21.10.2025
Industrial Bread Machine Crushes Woman’s Arm
Woman suffers life-changing workplace injury after arm is crushed in bread machine Nicola Hall is supporting a young woman in...
Read more - 22.9.2025
Young Mum Secures 7-Figure Payout After Workplace Accident
A young mum who was left with life-changing injuries after her scalp and ear were ripped off in a horrific...
Read more - 9.7.2025
Warehouse Worker Fights Aldi’s False Dishonesty Claims
Aldi’s worker suffers ‘mental torture’ after the supermarket giant falsely accuses him of lying In a shocking case that...
Read more - 19.6.2025
Osbornes Law Secures £200K for Injured Cyclist
Osbornes Law secures a six-figure settlement for a cyclist injured following a violent collision Andrew Middlehurst, a lawyer in the...
Read more - 6.2.2025
Bus Injury Compensation Claim: £7,800 Awarded to Injured Passenger
Client receives compensation for injury due to bus driver negligence Compensation was recently secured for a passenger on a bus...
Read more - 31.1.2025
Six-figure settlement for mum knocked over by a...
Six-figure settlement for young mum on school run knocked over by a motorcyclist Siobhan McIvor, Partner in the Personal Injury...
Read more - 17.1.2025
Student Makes Electrocution Compensation Claim
Student’s heart stopped after electrocution in London’s St James’ Park A university student had a heart attack and...
Read more - 19.12.2024
Seven-figure Settlement for Car Accident in Spain
Background to the Accident Isidoro Bonilla recently represent his client who sustained serious injuries following a car crash in Spain....
Read more - 19.12.2024
Claim for Car Accident in Croatia
Background to the accident Isidoro Bonilla recently advised his client who sustained serious injuries in a car accident. His client,...
Read more - 22.10.2024
£75,000 Settlement for Head Injury at College
Accident During a College Class Eloise Mears, Personal Injury Solicitor at Osbornes Law, represented a student who sustained a head...
Read more - 22.10.2024
£150k for Pedestrian Knocked Over By Learner Driver
Accident Involving a Learner Driver Eloise Mears, Solicitor at Osbornes Law, acted for a successful young professional who was severely...
Read more - 22.10.2024
Client Case Study: Slip & Fall at Church
£60k Settlement for Slip & Fall at a Church Premises Eloise Mears, Solicitor specialising in slip & fall claims at...
Read more - 6.8.2024
Case Study: £25,000 Settlement for an E-Scooter Accident Claim
Pedestrian hit by an e-scooter rider claims £25,000 This case study highlights how Osbornes Law secured a £25,000 settlement for a client...
Read more - 25.7.2024
Cycling Claim Examples: Real Client Cases
Summary: Explore examples of real-life cycling accident cases handled by Osbornes specialist cycling team including the payouts clients have received...
Read more - 25.7.2024
Claim By Cyclist Hit By Car at Junction
Payout for Cyclist Who Was Knocked Off Her Bicycle Cycling accident lawyer, Phoebe Walliss recently settled a claim for a...
Read more - 29.4.2024
£75k Payout For a Cyclist Knocked Over By...
Claim settled for a cyclist who was struck by a car Laura Swaine recently settled a claim for a cyclist...
Read more


































