Biography
I am a Partner in the Serious Injury department, based in our Cambridge Office. I have over 20 years post qualification experience and specialise in cases concerning complex high value catastrophic injury.
I am passionate about getting our clients the rehabilitation and compensation awards they need after an injury and I have a particular passion for working with children with brain injury and ensuring that those injured in their youth reach their full potential. I also have extensive experience of spinal injury and amputation cases as well as running cross-jurisdictional and fatal accident claims. I often work alongside Deputies and I support the use of Case Managers in complex injury cases.
I am renowned for successfully running high risk cases with complex legal arguments. I have written and presented training programmes for hospital consultants, case managers, police liaison officers, victim support and bereavement volunteers and the Citizen Advice Bureaux. I have also presented at the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers annual conference.
Excellent client care and communication is paramount to me. I pride myself in being accessible, available and proactive and I consider myself to have very strong strategic planning skills which come into their own in complex injury cases.
Testimonials
"Ruth Booy is head of the catastrophic injury team at Irwin Mitchell in Cambridge. She acts on high-value RTA claims that have resulted in brain injuries and amputations."
"Ruth is hugely experienced and a real tough cookie who fights hard for her clients.
"Ruth does an outstanding job of keeping us up to date with everything" - Chambers & Partners 2024 (Leading Individual - Band 1)
‘I work quite regularly for Ruth Booy dealing with catastrophic injury cases. She is exceptional and one of the most experienced solicitors in this field across the country. Her knowledge and commitment to clients is second to none.’ - Legal 500, 2024 (Hall of Fame)
"Irwin Mitchell appointed Ruth Booy, who guided us through a very long process, through highs and lows, always truthful, professional and empathetic to our situation. Ruth kept us informed and always worked in our best interest. We would not hesitate in recommending Irwin Mitchell and then ask for Ruth Booy to act on your behalf." - 5* Trustpilot review
"She has unparalleled levels of experience and is unwavering in her commitment to clients. She has also got a superb ability to connect with defendant solicitors to get the best outcome to cases on a collaborative basis." - Legal 500, 2023
"Ruth Booy is exceptional on really difficult and challenging cases." - Chambers & Partners 2022 (Leading Individual - Band 2)
"A leader in their field" - Legal 500 2022 (Hall of Fame)
"Ruth Booy is an excellent steady hand in the personal injury team. Well used to conducting high-value and complex cases, Ruth is unrelenting in her desire to achieve an excellent outcome for her clients." – Legal 500, 2021 (Hall of Fame)
Ruth Booy is a "Leading Individual – Band 2" – Chambers & Partners, 2021
"Highly recommend. Dealt with my case sensitively and kept me up to date with everything. Unfortunately things didn't move very quickly but wasn't because of Irwin Mitchell's side. Even with COVID-19 Ruth Booy kept me up to date and can't thank enough for what has been done." – 5* Trustpilot review
"Would like to thank Ruth and everyone else that was involved in my case the service I got was excellent, supported me and my family through a very tough time! Thank you Irwin Mitchell." – 5* Trustpilot review
"I would like to say what Excellent service I got from Ruth Booy (Cambridge) and would not hesitate to recommend them. Having the best of experts looking after me. They listened and acted in our best interests. Because my Wife is disabled Ruth even visited our home on several occasions to update us and kept us fully informed on the progress of the case. Thank You... Keep up the good work" – 5* Trustpilot review
"Received the most amazing service after a serious injury [road traffic collision], that left me hospitalised with no memory of the accident and unable to work for 6 months. Irwin Mitchell especially Emma McCreath and Ruth Booy were amazing from start to finish. [They] gave a real personal, caring and reassuring service during the difficult times, especially when I could not give them any information regarding the RTC. They took all the stress out of making a claim and worked tirelessly behind the scenes without causing me any extra stress to get an admission of liability from the other party very successful higher than expected settlement from a very complex case all during COVID restrictions. Would defiantly recommend them." – 5* Trustpilot review
"Ruth was the most helpful and kind person who helped and advised me. She and her staff showed a lot of compassion which goes a long way. Would definitely recommend them. Thank you Ruth" – 5* Trustpilot review
Listed in the Legal 500 2020 Hall of Fame.
"Highly recommend. Dealt with my case sensitively and kept me up to date with everything... Even with COVID-19, Ruth Booy kept me up to date and can’t thank enough for what has been done." – Phillipa Escott, 5* Trustpilot review
"Outstanding technical knowledge, impressive communication skills, great ability to get under the skin of legal issues and excellent emotional intelligence." –
Chambers & Partners, 2019
"Described as bringing enormous experience to benefit the injured in the Cambridge region and is rightly regarded as a leader in her field" – Legal 500, 2018/19
Sources describe her as "very knowledgeable in catastrophic injury work" and note that "she always has the confidence of the client." – Chambers & Partners 2017
Ruth is "a polished practitioner and a strong advocate." – Legal 500, 2016
"Ruth Booy is a complete professional; totally passionate and dedicated to her craft." – Legal 500, 2015
"She is an impressive operator and very confident" – Chambers, 2012
"She always keeps me informed, explains things in plain language and understands my wishes." – Chambers, 2012
What Inspired You To Get Into Law?
I never actually intended to go into law, I fell into it by chance. At school I was only really interested in performing arts and I secured myself a place at drama school. However, I never actually took up my place due to the experiences of my friends and I decided to do a combined degree in law and publishing instead.
I enjoyed the law side of my degree so much that I decided to do some work experience placements with solicitors firms. I spent a week sitting in Court and it was this experience which made me realise I would like to be a solicitor. Once I qualified I began work as a general litigator but soon specialised as a personal injury solicitor. They always say lawyers are failed actors!
What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role?
The most rewarding aspect of my work is doing the best job I can for my clients, ensuring they are properly supported and able to live the most fulfilling lives possible after their accidents. I also take great pleasure in succeeding at trial, obtaining the maximum settlement possible at settlement meetings, setting case law precedents and appearing in the Court of Appeal.
What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?
I love working with people who are totally committed to doing all they can for our clients, often going above and beyond what's normally expected from a lawyer. Our clients and meeting their needs is at the core of everything we do at Irwin Mitchell and I am proud to be a part of this firm.
What Do You Do Away From The Office?
My life outside the office revolves around travel and cycling. I have been fortunate enough to have travelled extensively, spending many months at a time travelling in Europe and the USA in particular. When not travelling I love to cycle; I am passionate about both road and mountain biking. Recently I cycled 400 miles in four days from the Suffolk Coast to Aberystwyth in Wales, raising money for MAGPAS and SSAFA. I am now planning to cycle from Cambridge to Amsterdam as well as taking part in a number of long distance day events.
