For 22 years, Moosa-Duke Solicitors has been the only firm in Leicestershire which specialises exclusively in medical negligence claims. The firm has recovered significant sums in compensation for its clients while holding health professionals and hospital trusts accountable. And unlike many other law firms in the country, the firm was founded by lawyers who defended the NHS, GPs and other health professionals. This experience provides the firm with invaluable knowledge, setting it apart in its ability to represent Claimants when pursuing a claim for medical negligence.

Let’s take a look at how the journey began!

Moosa-Duke Solicitors was founded by Mehmooda Duke, who is a Partner at the firm. Mehmooda trained as a solicitor in London and worked for three national law firms, the Medical Defence Union, and an East Midlands Hospital Trust. She spent ten years of her legal career defending health professionals.

In 2002, Mehmooda Duke had her ‘lightbulb’ moment and decided that the time had come to act for victims of medical negligence.

In December 2002, Mehmooda moved from London to Leicester and on 12 May 2003, she opened the doors to her own law firm, Moosa-Duke Solicitors. She started on her own in a rented flat on London Road, a key route into the city. She had not a single client and being new to the city, she knew barely anyone in Leicester.

By July 2003, the first team member joined the firm, and by September 2003, Mehmooda received accreditation from the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel. This accreditation allowed clients to identify her as a legal practitioner with proven competency in medical negligence law.

In 2006, Krishna Kotecha, a former colleague of Mehmooda from a national law firm, joined Moosa-Duke Solicitors. Like Mehmooda, Krishna brought a wealth of experience defending hospital trusts against medical negligence claims. Krishna had previously been involved in the defence of a multi-party action (involving more than 300 Claimants) as well as a variety of multi-million-pound claims arising out of negligent medical treatment. Krishna remains with the firm and is now a Partner.  

In 2012, the firm relocated from London Road to De Montfort Street, a charming side street that cuts through New Walk, one of Leicester's picturesque spots.  

Engagement with the Wider Community

In 2015, Mehmooda Duke became the President of the Leicestershire Law Society. During her presidency, funds were raised for two nominated charities: Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign and Spark Art for Children, which promotes theatre, dance, and music for children and families, often in deprived areas. £12,000.00 was raised for the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign through a fundraising walk in the Peak District.

In 2017, Mehmooda accepted a position as Board Advisor at the Leicestershire County Cricket Club, and by 2019, she became the club's first female Chair.  

In May 2019, Mehmooda was awarded an MBE for her services to the legal profession and female entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, at the end of 2019, the firm acted for a Claimant in a 3-week trial in Leicester, the first in the firm's history.  It was one of the longest civil trials seen in Leicester in recent years, lasting 15 days and securing compensation of more than 1.5 million for a Claimant who had suffered life changing injuries due to Cauda Equina Syndrome.  

In September 2021, the firm was awarded Small Law Firm of the Year by the Leicestershire Law Society. The firm was recognised as a niche clinical/medical negligence firm, with a national reputation for medical negligence cases and in particular Cauda Equina Syndrome cases.  

In 2022, Mehmooda became the High Sheriff of Leicestershire. During her tenure, she read out the proclamation of the new sovereign, King Charles III, in September 2022 at Town Hall Square.  

During her time as High Sheriff, she also engaged in various charity projects, including:

• Cauda Equina Run challenge  

• Leadership Training in Beirut

• Healing little Heart’s Camp in Malaysia

In late 2024, Moosa-Duke Solicitors launched its new website, which is visually appealing to the modern user and designed to ensure a user-centric web experience and the firm continues to provide a tailored service to its clients to ensure access to justice and accountability wherever possible.

22 years after Mehmooda established Moosa-Duke Solicitors, the firm continues to serve and look after clients all over the country with legal excellence and compassionate care.  

Trainee Solicitor, Yusuf Takoliya, observes: “As Moosa-Duke Solicitors looks forward to celebrating its 22nd anniversary on 12 May 2025, it reflects on the journey that began with Mehmooda starting alone—with no clients, staff, secretary, or receptionist. Now, in 2025, the firm has grown to include nine practicing solicitors, one trainee solicitor, three consultant paralegals, one legal assistant, and one practice manager. What a difference 22 years make!”

MDS is a specialist medical negligence law firm. We specialise in claims involving cancer, maternity, and cauda equina syndrome. Our expert solicitors represent clients all around England and Wales, and we are dedicated to helping people who have been injured by medical negligence. 

If you would like to read more about Moosa-Duke Solicitors, what makes the firm unique and learn more about the firm’s expert lawyers, please select the following link: https://www.moosaduke.com/about-us .

If you are concerned about any care that you or a member of your family has received, please contact our experienced team on 0116 254 7456 or email: enquiries@moosaduke.com. You can also enquire online by clicking here.