Stewarts Soundbites

Local Authority funding for Claimants with personal injury awards: lessons learned from judgment in R (CGT) v West Sussex County Council

In this episode of Soundbites we focus on a seminal High Court judgment handed down in February 2026: R (CGT) v West Sussex County Council. The decision considers whether a local authority may refuse Care Act 2014 social care funding, or seek to recover previously paid care costs, on the basis that an injured claimant has funds held in a personal injury trust. Our returning guest Rachel Burley Stower, who was instructed by CGT in the case, joins host Emma Lyons to reflect on the judgment and its wider implications. Drawing on her direct involvement in the proceedings, Rachel provides practical insight into what the ruling means for claimants, trustees, deputies and advisers supporting individuals with substantial personal injury awards. In the discussion Emma and Rachel explore: • The High Court’s reasoning and key findings in R (CGT) v West Sussex County Council • How personal injury trusts should be treated for Care Act funding assessments • Practical lessons for those supporting injured clients in securing and retaining local authority funding • The broader implications for future recovery actions by local authorities. This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm [https://wwww.zencast.fm]

Stewarts Soundbites: Through stormy seas - Justen's journey back to adventure

In this episode of soundbites, Hayley Symington speaks with client Justen Bersin to explore what life looks like after a spinal cord injury. Justen provides valuable insights on rebuilding identity, adapting to new realities and finding independence again. In their conversation, Hayley and Justen discuss: * His life and outlook beyond injury * Returning to travel and adventure and the adjustments that made it possible * The physical and emotional realities of rehabilitation * Why having the right equipment is so important * How a spinal cord injury can redefine partnership within a marriage ---------------------------------------- This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm [https://wwww.zencast.fm]

A practical guide to maximising social care provision for brain injury survivors

TBA ---------------------------------------- This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm [https://wwww.zencast.fm]

Marking World Meningitis Day 2025

In this episode of Soundbites, Amy Goldman speaks with Sue Rogers, Director of Support, Information and Research at Meningitis Now. 5 October marks World Meningitis Day, aimed at raising awareness and driving meaningful change to create a future free from meningitis. In this episode, Sue covers: * The signs and symptoms of meningitis and what to do if you think you have meningitis. * Meningitis Now’s awareness raising campaigns including ‘No plan B for Men B’ and their contribution to the World Health Organisation’s mission to eradicate bacterial meningitis by 2030. * The meningitis vaccination programme. * What support Meningitis Now offer to people who have been impacted by meningitis. * Details of Meningitis Now’s volunteers and the benefit that volunteering can have for those impacted by meningitis. ---------------------------------------- This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm [https://wwww.zencast.fm]

Managing stress during serious injury litigation

In this episode of Stewarts Soundbites, Emma Lyons and Dan Herman, Head of Personal Injury at Stewarts, discuss stress experienced by claimants involved in the litigation process. The claimants we represent are already coming to terms with life changing injuries and often find themselves having to juggle the usual demands of family life, ongoing intensive rehabilitation across a number of disciplines, and an unfamiliar and potentially frightening litigation process. Of course, every individual’s circumstances are different, but managing these competing instances often leads to stress. This can make things difficult for the claimant, their family and all the professionals involved. Understanding the process and the pressure points of litigation can be crucial in providing successful support, which may ultimately have an impact upon engagement and outcomes. In this episode, Dan explores the likely stressors in the litigation process, flagging key stages which are bound to lead to higher levels of stress than others. He will offer practical advice for claimants, families and professionals in helping to successfully navigate such times. ---------------------------------------- This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm [https://wwww.zencast.fm]