Charles Dougherty KC > 2 Temple Gardens > London, England > Barrister Profile

‘2 Temple Gardens is known for its strength in complex personal injury‘, with notable strength in cross-border work. William Clerk and Charles Dougherty KC act on behalf of World Rugby in Popham v World Rugby Ltd, a claim brought by a group of former professionals including former Wales international Alix Popham and England 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Steve Thompson, who have been diagnosed with early onset dementia after their playing careers.  Martin Porter KC has strength in cycling claims. Meghann McTague has an established practice in foreign claims and group litigation, exemplified by her work in AA v FS Commercial, claims arising out of the UK’s largest prosecution for modern slavery. Niazi Fetto KC was made silk in the 2023 round, and Harry Trusted joined the set from Outer Temple Chambers in January 2023.

2 Temple Gardens ‘have an impressive collection of juniors and silks‘, offering both ‘both experience and some very talented up and coming barristers‘. The set has particular experience in cross-border, multi-jurisdictional work: this year, Roger Harris, Charles Dougherty KC, Benjamin Phelps, Niazi Fetto KC and Andrew Bershadski  were all involved in the case of Roberts v Various Defendants in the Supreme Court, in which the claimant, a child of a British soldier serving in Germany whose mother received care by British midwives working with German doctors, was born in a German hospital in 2000 with cerebral palsy as a result of allegedly negligent treatment; the case brings up issues relating to jurisdiction and vicarious liability. Niazi Fetto KC took silk in March 2023, and Harry Trusted joined the set from Outer Temple Chambers in January 2023.

The insurance team at 2 Temple Gardens handle all aspects of non-marine insurance and reinsurance disputes, including jurisdiction and choice of law issues, policy construction, scope of indemnity and effectiveness and scope of notifications and claims. Charles Dougherty KC, who one client noted as ‘engaging and charming,‘ is sought after for his wide experience in insurance and reinsurance claims alongside being involved in business interruption insurance litigation – he represented Allianz in Various Eateries v Allianz where he led Timothy Killen  and acted for insurers in a test case brought by the owner of Coppa Club and Nocci in relation to issues of aggregation and policy periods in respect of Covid-19 business interruption loss and what business interruption losses are covered as a result of business closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Marie Louise Kinsler KC handles cross-border insurance matters, having acted for insurers in a wide variety of claims and has expertise in contribution and recovery claims with an international element, while Neil Moody KC handles a full range of coverage disputes and is retained to advise on business interruption policy coverage issues arising out of Covid-19 lockdowns. Niazi Fetto KC and Sonia Nolten KC are 2023 silk appointments.

2 Temple Gardens is experienced in all aspects of product liability from global manufacturing and distribution, complex supply chains to contractual liability and insurance coverage. Members such as Charles Dougherty KC and Jack Harris  are well-versed in clinical negligence and personal injury cases in relation to medical devices and pharmaceutical claims. Neil Moody KC is well-known for dealing with claims arising out of fires and flood damage. Isabel Barter has moved to 4 New Square Chambers.

2 Temple Gardens act in claims both for and against professionals across the piece, with cases often overlapping with their principal practice groups, which includes insurance, property damage and other areas. Neil Moody KC acted for the defendant in the case – London & Quadrant Housing Trust v Amtrust Europe Limited, a case concerning the allegedly negligent design of tower blocks and defective cladding. Charles Dougherty KC has a strong reputation in the areas of insurance and fraud; he is acting on behalf of Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in professional negligence claims arising out of the Grenfell Tower fire and the extent to which various professionals including architects, fire safety consultants and building inspectors failed in their duty, and were responsible for the fire which occurred.

2 Temple Gardens is strong at both KC and silk level, with a growing presence in the UAE that sees the set handle insurance cases in a variety of sectors, Covid-19 related claims, and major construction and infrastructure project disputes. Frequently instructed in the DIFC and ADGM Courts, the ’eminent’ Charles Dougherty KC was active in the first insurance trial of the latter court in Global Private Investments RSC Limited v Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Limited. Timothy Killen is widely lauded as a ‘very bright and careful barrister’ who ‘is methodical, considered, well-prepared and understated in his approach, which achieves excellent results, particularly in cross-examination. Lucas Fear-Segal also provides ‘fantastic counsel’ and has a vast knowledge of the entire GCC region.