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 Chambers is a full-service chambers with excellent individuals who are also able to deliver brilliantly as a team" and "their knowledge and expertise in this area are unmatched."

Jason Housden is chambers director.

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 for Ford in the NOx emissions case.

Lee Tyler is the set's senior clerk.

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 in which the claimants allege defective textured breast implants were supplied, causing a rare type of cancer.

Albie Barton is the senior civil clerk.

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 very deep and wide experience of product liability and related areas of law." Members recently acted for Paulo Studios Limited in a case where a substantial fire, allegedly caused by an electric heater, occurred in photographic studios.

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. 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 HP Inc UK Limited against a claim by The London North West NHS Trust that a laptop caused a fire in a hospital.

Lizzy Stewart is senior clerk and CEO.

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 are instructed on behalf of the Vauxhall defendants in litigation involving around 160,000 claims by consumers in relation to liability allegations founded on a claim that the vehicles in question contained defeat devices.

Alex Taylor is the set's senior clerk.

Outer Temple Chambers covers a spectrum of product liability work, including medical device and drug litigation, domestic appliance litigation and various commercial claims. Its expertise in clinical negligence, personal injury and health and safety lends favourably to its product liability practice. Sources note: "Outer Temple Chambers is excellent in handling the most complex and high-value product liability litigation cases." Members are instructed on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care in group litigation brought by survivors of the infected blood scandal and their families in which patients were given defective blood products contaminated with HIV/Hepatitis A-C.

Paul Barton and Nicholas Levett are practice directors.

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 are more than capable of handling complex matters." Recent highlights include acting for a group of claimants in the JJML pelvic organ prolapse litigation.

Paul Eeles is the Director of Clerking.