James Purnell > Chambers of Charles Gibson KC > London, England > Barrister Profile
Henderson Chambers Offices
Henderson Chambers
2 HARCOURT BUILDINGS, TEMPLE
LONDON
EC4Y 9DB
England
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James Purnell
Position
Barrister specialising in commercial and public law, with expertise in group actions, product liability, health and safety, personal injury, environment, inquests and employment.
Career
Called 2002, Middle Temple (Queen Mother Scholar); pupillage Henderson Chambers 2002-2003; Attorney General’s C Panel (2009 – 2014); Attorney General’s B Panel (2014 – ); List of Specialist Regulatory Advocate’s for the EA, HSE and ORR (2012 – ); registered Direct Public Access practitioner; qualified pupil supervisor from 2010. Notable cases: Fetal Anti Convulsant Group Litigation (2008 – 2011); Iraqi Civilian Claims against MOD (2013 – ); defective hip implant group litigation (2014 – ). Recent reported cases: Ferguson v British Gas [2010] WLR 785 (harassment); Network Rail v Conarken [2011] 2 CLC 1 (consequential loss); Secretary of State for Justice v Bowling [2012] IRLR 382 (discrimination); Secretary of State for BIS v McDonagh [2013] ICR 1177 (employer insolvency).
Languages
French, Spanish.
Memberships
Health and Safety Lawyers Association; Personal Injury Bar Association; Employment Lawyers Association; List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates for the EA, HSE, ORR.
Education
The Oratory School; Edinburgh University; City University
Leisure
Football fanatic; piano man.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Product liability
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 1James Purnell –Henderson Chambers ‘James is able to very quickly assimilate large volumes of information, and is pragmatic and able to appreciate the commercial issues which may be at play for clients. He always adapts his approach appropriately depending on the value or reputational importance of the case.’
London Bar > Group litigation
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 2James Purnell – Henderson Chambers ‘James is the consummate senior junior. He is very hard working and has excellent judgement combined with a persuasive oral style.’
London Bar > Inquests and inquiries
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 4James Purnell –Henderson Chambers ‘James is extremely knowledgeable in both health and safety law and inquests.’
With ‘an impressive array of specialist barristers at all levels‘, Henderson Chambers ‘is in the forefront of the field of inquests and inquiries’. Prashant Popat KC is instructed for AstraZeneca in module four of the Covid-19 inquiry, investigating vaccines and therapeutics, alongside extensive inquests work. Oliver Campbell KC acted for Siderise, manufacturers of part of the cladding system, in the Grenfell Tower inquiry. James Purnell regularly acts for companies and public bodies in inquests, while Abigail Cohen is experienced in healthcare and health and safety inquests
London Bar > Health and safety
(Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 3James Purnell –Henderson Chambers ‘He is cogent in court and has extensive knowledge of health and safety law.’
London Bar > Personal injury
(Personal injury - Leading Juniors)Ranked: Tier 5James Purnell –Henderson Chambers ‘He has always been able to very quickly assimilate large volumes of information and is pragmatic and able to appreciate the commercial issues which may be at play for clients.’