Product Liability

Ranked as one of the top sets in this field by Chambers & Partners, our reputation for handling the most complex product liability actions continues to grow.

Members are currently instructed in the most high profile group actions in this field including Seroxat, DePuy ASR hip implants, Medtronic defibrillators, PIP breast implants, Pertussis vaccine, Cervarix vaccine, HIV / haemopohilia blood products and Audi.  

Previous instructions include MMR, Dopamine agonist claims, Bogle & Ors v McDonald's Restaurants (the "hot coffee" cases), O'Byrne v Aventis Pasteur (the only case under the EC Directive ever to have reached the House of Lords/Supreme Court), and the Organophosphate group actions.

We have considerable experience of handling large group actions and can assist with all aspects of case management including bespoke database systems to assist with screening and managing claims in multi-party litigation.   Members are often instructed by several firms in relation to the same product, and are then able to facilitate effective collaboration between firms whilst preserving and respecting each firm’s commercial interests.

Instructions are received both in this jurisdiction and beyond.   Recent international instructions in 2010 include instructions to assist US attorneys in multi-district litigation in Pennsylvania involving the Avandia product, and instructions to provide comprehensive risk management advice to an international medical device manufacturer.   Members have also recently appeared at the European Court of Justice in product liability litigation.

We also welcome instructions in individual claims and these cover a diverse range of medical and non-medical products.   Recent instructions on individual claims include agricultural machinery causing fatal accidents, children’s clothing, Ferrari motorcars, aviation, furniture and consumer electronics.

Current group litigation:

Members are instructed in the following group actions at present.   If you wish to contact any of the barristers involved, click on the case name and follow the links.

• Audi
• DePuy ASR hips
• Medtronic defibrillators
• PIP breast implants
• Pertussis vaccine
• Cervarix vaccine
• HIV/haemophilia blood products