SILK PROFILE

James Purnell KC

UK Bar 2026

Henderson Chambers

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Group Litigation

All Circuits

3 years ranked

Health & Safety

London (Bar)

5 years ranked

Product Liability

London (Bar)

15 years ranked

About

Provided by Henderson Chambers

Practice Areas

Product Liability, Health & Safety and Environmental, Personal Injury, Employment, Regulatory Law, Public & Administrative Law.

Career

Middle Temple Queen Mother Scholar 2001, Called to Bar 2002, Attorney General's Panel of Counsel 2009 - , Specialist Regulatory List Advocate in Health & Safety and Environmental Law 2012 - . Experienced in group litigation and multi-party actions such as: Fetal Anti-Convulsant group litigation, Metal on Metal Hip group litigation, Pelvic Organ Prolapse litigation, Stress Urinary Incontinence litigation, Iraqi civilian litigation against MoD, Cyprus emergency litigation against MoD/FCO, environmental damage litigation.

Professional Memberships

HSLA, COMBAR, ELBA, PIBA, ELA, BILA.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Group Litigation - All Circuits

New Silks

Individual Editorial

James Purnell has a strong group litigation practice that sees him handling injury-focused claims. He has considerable knowledge of medical device claims.

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Product Liability - London (Bar)

New Silks

Individual Editorial

James Purnell is a highly regarded junior who is frequently involved in high-profile group actions involving medical devices, including metal-on-metal hip implants and gynaecological meshes. His broad product liability practice also encompasses claims relating to electrical devices and motor vehicles. He is particularly adept at defending manufacturers against allegations involving defective products.

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Health & Safety - London (Bar)

New Silks

Individual Editorial

James Purnell is routinely called upon to assist defendants in investigations and prosecutions. He also has notable experience of advising regulatory bodies, including the HSE and ORR.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

James is very good and knows his stuff inside-out. He is incredibly hard-working, and he turns things around quickly.
Product LiabilityUK Bar
James is very likeable and commercial. He understands the clients' needs.
Product LiabilityUK Bar
James Purnell is very good at providing very complex technical advice in an uncomplicated manner.
Product LiabilityUK Bar
He is very good, he knows his stuff inside-out and he is incredibly hard-working.
Health & SafetyUK Bar
He's really responsive and really lovely to work with.
Health & SafetyUK Bar
James is excellent.
Health & SafetyUK Bar