Product Liability | UK Bar

Henderson Chambers offers an unrivalled level of expertise spanning a wide range of product liability disputes. The set houses an impressive bench of senior and junior barristers who are frequently sought after to act for major manufacturers across the transport, pharmaceutical, food and drink, and medical devices sectors, among others. Particular highlights include the set's ongoing representation of VW and other companies with respect to the NOx emissions litigation. Members are regularly called upon to represent their clients in complex and high-profile litigation and have considerable experience handling multiparty claims. Sources highlight: "Henderson always provides insightful, practical and commercial advice, often at short notice, which is hugely appreciated especially under pressured situations" and "its barristers are invariably instructed on the most high-profile and heavyweight product liability work."

The barristers at 2 Temple Gardens are regularly called upon to represent both claimants and defendants in complex product liability claims on both a domestic and international scale. The set's members bring their expertise in complementary areas such as property damage, clinical negligence and personal injury to bear when acting for and advising their clients on disputes involving medical devices and household products alleged to have caused fires or floods. The team is also adept at handling claims involving automotive products and heavy industry equipment. Several members recently acted on a case involving a serious fire allegedly started by a defective Slush Puppie machine. It included the untested question of whether the territorial scope of Section 41(1) of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and/or The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 extended to a foreign manufacturer.

7BR is noted for its impressive representation of claimants in the full range of product liability cases. Members are regularly called upon to act on high-profile and high-stakes instructions involving defective medical devices, pharmaceuticals and household consumer goods and are experienced in the handling of both individual and multiparty claims. 7BR acted for the claimants in the PIP breast implant litigation. Cases arising from automotive failures are also a key area of strength for the team. Recent highlights include acting on a group action relating to the contaminated blood scandal.

Crown Office Chambers houses a strong bench of barristers experienced in the handling of a wide range of product liability claims. The set's members are well versed in complex and high-value medical device and pharmaceutical cases, drawing on the set's recognised expertise in personal injury and clinical negligence law. Additional areas of strength for the team include cases involving catastrophic damage caused by faulty mechanical and electronic products. The set is highly regarded for its handling of high-profile group actions as well as individual claims. One commentator notes that "Crown Office has strength in depth and the experience, knowledge and capacity to handle large, complex and sophisticated matters." Members recently acted for Renault in the NOx emissions litigation.

4 New Square Chambers continues to enjoy a strong reputation for its representation of defendants in both individual product liability claims and high-profile group actions. Its barristers receive a wealth of instructions in pharmaceutical claims and disputes concerning defective medical products, including acting on behalf of over 100 claimants against multiple manufacturers regarding their pelvic organ prolapse devices. Members are also experienced in the handling of cases arising from major fires. The team is able to draw on the set's broader strengths in construction and insurance to complement its product liability offering. Members acted for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in their recovery claims against a cladding supplier as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Fountain Court Chambers is noted for its expertise in product liability cases arising in the aviation, marine and industrial sectors. Its barristers are regularly called upon to act in disputes concerning alleged defects in the design and manufacture of aircraft and helicopters. Additional areas of strength for the team include claims arising from defective household goods, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Fountain Court is experienced in the handling of both individual claims and large group actions. Members acted for the Department of Health and Social Care in a group litigation that alleged that hormone pregnancy tests in the 1960s and 1970s had caused or materially contributed to adverse outcomes in pregnancy.

Drawing on the set's recognised strength in clinical negligence law, the barristers at Serjeants' Inn Chambers offer considerable expertise in the handling of high-profile product liability claims involving defective medical devices and pharmaceutical products. Members are regularly instructed in large group actions and act for both claimants and defendants. Interviewees note that "they communicate effectively with clients." Recent highlights include acting in the Oculentis litigation on behalf of the claimants.