Allison Knapp and Sarah White set up the medicolegal service for the Priory Hospital in Bristol in 1995 and when the Priory Group changed direction in 2003 to focus on other areas of psychiatric care, they found a gap in the market to branch out on their own.
As a result they set up MSS Medicolegal to continue providing the excellent medicolegal work of the many psychiatric experts who worked at the Priory.
Since 2003, the original panel of experts established at MSS Medicolegal has expanded and MSS intends to continue to expand both the range of expertise and the geographical area it covers.
Meet the team
Allison is passionate about everything Bristol, and is so proud of our arty and musical city. She had a varied working career before MSS, across private healthcare and sales.
Both directors cover all aspects of the business as well as focusing on the strategic and operational decisions of the company and ensuring that the company meets its statutory obligations. Allison also oversees new business opportunities.
Allison’s life is all about family, friends, travel and music. She enjoys getting away in her campervan at every opportunity, holidays, going to gigs, holidays, and, did we mention, holidays!
Sarah has worked within the psychiatric medical field for over 20 years, previous to that based within assurance services.
Both directors cover all aspects of the business as well as focusing on the strategic and operational decisions of the company and ensuring that the company meets its statutory obligations. Sarah also deals with legislation, GDPR and the financial side of the business.
Sarah is Bristolian through and through and has two gorgeous labradors who take up a large chunk of her spare time. Her other passions are live music in any format and, in common with her fellow founder Allison, lots of travel.
Zoe moved to Bristol in 2001 and joined us in 2014. She has varied past careers including research chemist, prison administrator and a crochet business!
Zoe looks after the day to day business, managing team workload and working with our consultants and instructing parties to ensure a great quality of service. She has a keen eye for detail, anticipating what information and paperwork is needed when, which streamlines the process.
Currently living with her husband and adult children, she enjoys going to concerts and musicals, experimenting in the kitchen and afternoon teas with friends.
Maria joined the team in 2013 and her role is to ensure the smooth running of appointments so that everyone involved knows when and where they need to be with all appropriate resources.
She is also responsible for prompting solicitors when fees are due for payment and providing a liaison service between solicitors and consultants to ensure payments are not missed, as well as sending remittances to consultants.
Born in Bristol, Maria spends most of her spare time running around the country for her youngest son’s football matches and occasionally keeping fit by running!
Emma Webb (Medicolegal Administrator)
Emma joined MSS in May 2023 after 7 years in the roofing department of a Facilities Management Company, where she carried out a variety of administrative tasks. Prior to that she worked for the Road Haulage Association, working alongside the compliance team.
Emma’s main role is to assist in the organising of conferences and appointments, answering the phones and working with our consultants to ensure they have what they need when they need it.
When not at work, Emma spends her time with her children and husband making the most of them being young and making lots of memories. They love their family camping trips and summer holidays. She is also a qualified freestyle dance teacher which she put on hold to raise her children.
Emily Coggon (Medicolegal Administrator)
Emily joined the team in 2024 and has lived in Bristol her whole life. As a medicolegal administrator, Emily’s main role is to ensure the process runs smoothly from instruction to confirmed appointments and beyond. She plays a key part in maintaining swift and productive communication between all parties throughout the process.
When not at work, you’ll find Emily enjoying a cosy night in, watching TV and playing games with friends and family. She also has a passion for musical theatre and enjoys playing volleyball with her local club.
Jasmine Pitchford (Medicolegal Administrator)
Originally from Portsmouth and now based in Liverpool, Jasmine joined us in 2026. She previously worked at a local CIC, managing social media and supported community engagement, as well as serving as both Secretary and Treasurer within the Aerial Dance Society while studying International Business at the University of Liverpool.
Jasmine is responsible for processing new and existing instructions including the associated paperwork, ensuring a smooth handover to the next member of the team.
Jasmine enjoys staying active through running and playing tennis, as well as travelling and exploring the city she now calls home