Paul Paxton, head of the personal injury department at Stewarts Law, acted for Callum Cross, 9, who was accidentally run over by his father on a family day out in 2002 when he was 2½ years old. Callum was awarded a compensation package by Mrs Justice Swift in the High Court worth £8.1 million (a lump sum of £2.5 million and annual payments of £220,000), a record amount for a court-approved award for a spinal injury.

What were the main challenges in this case and the possible implications?

Callum’s age meant that predicting future needs and life expectations were complicated. These challenges were surmountable because of the constructive approach adopted by the defendants, Callum’s father’s insurer Co-operative Insurance Services, which was represented by Berrymans Lace Mawer, who readily made available substantial interim payments. The case showed the value of being able to award annual payments for life.

What was your worst day as a lawyer?

Two spring to mind: causing Manchester Crown Court, judges and all, to be evacuated having left an overnight bag in the corridor, and listening to my father-in-law, Fred, accuse a potential client of cheating on the 1st hole at Wentworth.

What was your most memorable experience as a lawyer?

Winning the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers’ annual golf tournament.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

My Jesuit teachers for instilling the expectation, my mother for instilling the aspiration and my managing partner, Cahill, for insisting on the perspiration.

Why did you become a lawyer?

A quest for champagne socialism. My father Alick was a keen trade unionist while my pals were from professional parentage; the idea of being a community lawyer therefore sat nicely in both camps.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?

Don’t become a corporate lawyer — marry one. My wife Helen is at Baker & McKenzie. While she is my lawyer of the week every week, the hours are ridiculously long and you don’t have time to spend the rewards.

If you had not become a lawyer what would you have chosen and why?

A psychologist for the Ministry of Defence, in order to implement my hypnosis dissertation.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Alongside the owner Mohamed Al Fayed on the board at Fulham Football Club. If not there, then seeking another re-election as department head but perhaps this time in our New York office.

l_tsang@hotmail.co.uk

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