Product Liability: Mainly Defendant
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 1
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Provided by Freshfields
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Chambers Review
Freshfields is highly regarded for its proficiency in handling substantial group actions, including those with cross-border elements. The firm is well versed in handling claims for key clients from a range of sectors, including the automotive, scientific and technology industries. It is also adept at providing advice and support to clients on product safety, recall and regulation, with notable expertise in novel areas including AI and autonomous vehicles. The team offers strong complementary expertise in environmental claims.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Freshfields handles complex and sophisticated matters, proving its worth again and again."
"Freshfields brings excellent legal knowledge and tactical acumen allied with a real client-focused approach."
"What sets Freshfields apart is its ability to advise at pace, not just on the issue at hand, but the wider strategic implications."
"Freshfields handles complex and sophisticated matters, proving its worth again and again."
"Freshfields brings excellent legal knowledge and tactical acumen allied with a real client-focused approach."
"What sets Freshfields apart is its ability to advise at pace, not just on the issue at hand, but the wider strategic implications."
Notable Practitioners
Andrew Austin provides both contentious and regulatory counsel to a broad spectrum of clients, including those hailing from the tobacco and food and beverage sectors. He is accustomed to advising on substantial group actions.
"Andrew is a fantastically skillful and perceptive lawyer. He focuses on solutions, presenting clear and direct recommendations in simple terms."
"Andrew is highly agile and can handle a lot of documentation."
"Andrew is an extremely talented, commercial and committed professional. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in regulatory matters and is very strategic and pragmatic."
John Blain is particularly admired for his handling of high-value, large group actions, and is known for skillfully co-ordinating international product liability proceedings for multinational clients.
"John provides excellent legal advice. He is the perfect adviser for complex litigation cases."
James Roberts offers notable experience in significant group actions involving automotive and consumer products.
"James is a great lawyer who is always achieving good results."
"James has the rare ability to make the incredibly complex easy for all to understand. He is also always calm and considered."
"It is James' expertise that keeps the plates spinning. He has the balance of being both thoughtful and incisive."
Harriet Hanks is a respected counsel noted for her regulatory and products disputes work. She regularly advises clients in the life sciences and automotive sectors, often tackling cross-border issues.
"Harriet is a subject matter expert in life sciences litigation. She is extremely user-friendly and efficient."
"Harriet is responsive and helpful, and can explain things well to people from a non-law background."