Henderson Chambers has an excellent reputation for handling the full range of product liability claims. Charles Gibson KC is 'an undisputed heavyweight champion of the product liability arena'. Prashant Popat KC has an established track record in acting in complex, high-profile commercial product liability claims. At the junior end of chambers, James Purnell is sought after for his expertise in acting for defendants, often in multi-national cases, and brings extensive experience in handling claims involving medical products. George Mallet is instructed by the defendant in a case involving two claims concerning allegedly defective Covid-19 testing equipment.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Work Department
Product liability, negligence, contract, health and safety, inquests/inquiries.
Position
In the field of product liability his substantial group action experience encompasses litigation concerning: the NOx Emissions issue; Covid-19 vaccine; metal-on-metal hip implants; PIP breast implants; Benzodiazepines; Norplant; blood transfusions; MMR; Sabril; and Seroxat. His commercial product liability practice includes litigation and arbitrations concerning products ranging from gastric bands to fuses and fire appliances to helicopters to motor vehicles. He has been involved in leading reported cases in this field, including appellate and CJEU decisions. Over 3 decades he has also represented defendants in major manslaughter and health and safety cases (and associated inquiries and inquests) arising from incidents such as the railway disasters at Southall, Ladbroke Grove, Hatfield, Potters Bar and Lambrigg, the explosion at the Buncefield oil depot, the Pembrokeshire Oil Refinery, the Atherstone upon Stour fire and the Glesion Mine flooding and the helicopter crash at the Leicester City FC ground. He represents interested persons in connection with ongoing investigations, including the Didcot power station collapse, the Grenfell fire, the Covid Inquiry and the Cranston Inquiry. He has previously been nominated for, and twice recognised as, the Chambers UK “Health and Safety Silk of the Year” and also awarded the Legal 500 award for “Corporate Crime” silk of the year.
Career
Called 1992; Silk 2008; Bencher of Gray’s Inn; University scholar, Baker and McKenzie international scholar; Gray’s Inn scholar; judicial assistant to the Master of the Rolls; publications: ‘Civil Advocacy: A Practical Guide’ (Cavendish Publishing Ltd); contributing editor ’Halsbury’s Laws Civil Procedure’; ‘International Product Law Manual’ (Kluwer).
Memberships
Health and Safety Lawyers Association; COMBAR.
Education
Oxford (1990 MA First Class Honours).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerking team are very friendly and helpful. Daniel Kemp stands out.' 'Daniel Kemp is excellent. He is very polite and dedicated to his team and their clients.' 'The clerks are very helpful and quick to respond to queries. ' 'Henderson Chambers have a strong reputation in product liability work.' 'Henderson have an excellent range of barristers.' 'Henderson are the leading set for product liability, acting for both claimants and defendants.' 'Specialists in group claims and product liability.'