Oliver Campbell KC > Chambers of Charles Gibson KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Henderson Chambers is reputed for established expertise in fatal and serious injury trials and HSE prosecutions. Prashant Popat continues to be instructed on behalf of many large UK organisations and companies, such as National Highways, and was recently instructed by Siemens in a Health and Safety at Work Act prosecution following a fatality at a rail depot. Expert for corporate manslaughter prosecutions Oliver Campbell KC has been representing Branston Site Services in HSE v Tarmac and Branston Site Services, a high-profile prosecution arising out of a fatal accident in the largest quarry in the country. Tim Green KC is prosecuting for the HSE in a case arising from the death of a construction worker whilst unloading glass from pallets.

Henderson Chambers has particular expertise in handling environmental litigation. Multiple members of the set continue to act for various parties in the high-profile Volkswagen emissions litigation, alongside advising on complex environmental damage claims arising from pollution and large-scale oil spills. Oliver Campbell KC is ‘incredibly approachable‘ and ‘adept at advising on complex group litigation matters‘. Prashant Popat KC is sought after for his strength in handling regulatory issues in the environmental arena. The senior end of the team was bolstered by the elevation of Kathleen Donnelly KC to silk in March 2023.

Reputed as ‘go-to set for group litigation’, members of Henderson Chambers‘ areas of expertise include product liability, environmental, consumer and financial group actions, as well as handling claims arising from injuries, death or human rights abuse. A number of the set’s barristers, including Charles Gibson KC, Prashant Popat KC, Geraint Webb KC, Kathleen Donnelly KC and Lucy McCormick , continue to represent members of the Volkswagen Group in the ongoing group actions regarding the emissions of their diesel cars. Leading Adam Heppinstall KC, Oliver Campbell KC is acting as opposing counsel for claimants in these high-profile cases. At the same time, Campbell KC handles a group action by over 30,000 claimants against Easyjet in relation to a mass data breach involving financial and other data. Malcolm Sheehan KC represents Mercedes-Benz in other “dieselgate” litigation. Toby Riley-Smith KC  is acting for Bayer plc in over a hundred claims being brought under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, alleging that the permanent contraceptive device Essure has caused them a range of different personal injuries.

Henderson Chambers is recognised as one of the pre-eminent sets in product liability claims and multi-party litigation. The chamber is experienced in leading unitary claims and group actions for injuries and losses caused by defective products such as PIP breast implants and metal on metal hips. Charles Gibson KC acts on major pharmaceutical cases, while Prashant Popat KC, Geraint Webb KC, Oliver Campbell KC and Malcolm Sheehan KC  are other silks in chambers who are notable in group actions in this space.

Henderson Chambers is a ‘go-to set for inquests and inquiries‘. Members are well known for representing clients from the transport, manufacturing and construction sectors, to name a few areas. Prashant Popat KC is currently acting for Studio E Architects in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry; Oliver Campbell KC represented cladding manufacturer Siderise. Junior James Purnell represented BMW UK in an inquest into the death of a police officer whose car caught fire due to an engine fault. Abigail Cohen‘s practice includes cases touching on health and social care.