The Legal 500

Position

Specialist expertise in biotechnology, gene therapy and medical research issues. Advises on regulatory, commercial and liability issues relating to biotechnology and stem cells. Invited to give oral expert evidence to the House of Lords select committee on stem cells. Extensive experience of clinical negligence claims in cancer, dentistry, general practice, obstetrics, ophthalmology, surgery and other fields. Significant practices in substantial personal injury claims including catastrophic brain damage, spinal and multiple injuries, and in professional negligence claims arising out of medical claims. Significant expertise in overseas jurisdiction claims. Acts for both claimants and insurers. Cases include: Billy Knight v Basildon DGH (QBD, London) [2007] with Peter Andrews QC – acted for claimant in a 12-day trial about neonatal hypoglycaemia and catastrophic brain damage (periventricular leukomalacia) – Field Fisher Waterhouse; Jack Piper v Royal Free Hospital (QBD, London) [2007] – acted for the claimant in a bowel investigation on an autistic child – issues included parental consent and the scope of information to be given in quasi-experimental setting – settled before trial and approved – Harrowell Shaftoe; Whitehead & McLeish v Searle & Hibbert Pownall & Newton (QBD, London) [2007] (Court of Appeal) [2008] – acted for solicitors in a £1.8m claim solicitor’s and barrister’s negligence case arising out of alleged mismanagement and undervaluation of wrongful birth claim, judgement for £118,000, overturned on appeal, with Bernard Livesey QC New Square Chambers instructed by DAC.

Career

Called 1986; Lincoln’s Inn. Directorships: Gene Therapy Advisory committee since 1999 and vice chair since 2004; Human Genetics Commission, commissioner since 2004; Legal Advisory Working Group to Organ Donation Taskforce. Publications of note: dissertation on genetic information and confidentiality (as part of MA in Medical Law and Ethics, King’s College London); article on law and regulation of human gene therapy ‘Encyclopaedia of Human Genetics’ (Macmillan 2003); editor of interactive training package on consent for healthcare workers; co-author of chapter on medical ethics and genetics in fourth edition ‘Powers and Harris on Clinical Negligence’.

Member

PNBA; PIBA; Association of Personal Injury Lawyers; American Bar Association; former chair of a busy hospital research ethics committee; Human Genetics Commission.

Education

Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford (1984 MA Hons Philosophy and Theology); City University, London (1985 Postgrad Dip Law); Council of Legal Education Bar finals (1986); King’s College, London (1999 MA Medical Law and Ethics merit).

Leisure

Fly-fishing, water and snow skiing, food and wine, music and opera, art.

Practice Areas

Clinical negligence - either side; Healthcare; Personal injury - either side