Des Collins is the Senior Partner of Collins Solicitors, specialising in civil litigation. In October 2010 he was named Law Society Gazette Legal Personality of the Year 2010 at the Law Society Awards and in November 2010 he was named 'Claimant Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year 2010' at the Personal Injury Awards 2010.

Having qualified in 1975 he has been involved in a number of substantial cases. He led his firm's representation of rail crash victims at the Public Inquiries following the Southall and Paddington disasters; and he has been involved in the Potters Bar rail crash inquest.

Des has directed his firm's involvement in the litigation following the Buncefield Oil Terminal Fire and Explosion.at the Commercial Court in October 2008; and the firm continues to represent more than 250 families affected by the blast, who are still seeking compensation

He recently led the firm’s work on the ground-breaking landmark negligence claim against Corby Borough Council in Northamptonshire. The case was brought on behalf of a number of children born with significant birth defects owing to their mothers being exposed to toxic waste and poisonous dust as a result of the demolition of the former British Steel Works in Corby. The case has been seen as the UK’s equivalent of theErin Brockovich Case. The case went on for a total of 11 years. It was named ‘Outstanding Case of the Year’ at thePersonal Injury Awards 2009.

Des is leading the firm’s work on a significant project in Scotland, relating to residents’ health on potentially contaminated land.

For further information, Des Collins can be reached on wdcollins@collinslaw.co.uk