Pogust Goodhead is particularly renowned for its work on large-scale group litigation, with members of the team skilled at handling environmental, consumer, and human rights class actions. The team regularly handles novel and complex litigation, often linked to public health systems and medical devices. Practice head Tom Goodhead leads on many of the most complex disputes undertaken by the team, acting against multinational corporations. Other key figures include Jeremy Evans, who focuses on cross-border litigation, and Christopher Neill, skilled at handling product liability and data protection matters. Guy Robson and Céline Barnwell specialise in environmental litigation.
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Key clients
- Municipio de Mariana and over 600,000 other individuals and businesses in Brazil as part of the Litigation against BHP (“Mariana” or “BHP”)
- M. R. F. da S. & Ors v Braskem & Ors (“Braskem”)
- The Municipality of Brumadinho & Ors.v TÜV SÜD AG (“Brumadinho”)
- Flavio de Carvalho Pinto Viegas & Ors (“Cutrale”)
- Cainquiama & Ors.v Norsk Hydro Group (“Norsk Hydro Group”)
- Stichting Rio Doce – over 77,000 individuals, circa 1k businesses, 20 churches, plus 7 municipalities vs. Vale S.A. and others.
- Over 45,000 individuals and businesses who owned/leased or otherwise acquired a Volkswagen, SEAT, Skoda, Audi or Porsche diesel vehicle in the Volkswagen NOx Emissions Group Litigation (No. 2)
- Over 280,000 individuals and businesses who owned/leased or otherwise acquired a Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz NOx Emissions Group Litigation
- Over 199,000 individuals and businesses who have purchased, leased or otherwise acquired a Vauxhall/Opel diesel vehicle, manufactured and/or supplied by Vauxhall /Opel in the Vauxhall NOx Emissions Group Litigation
- Over 179,000 individuals and businesses who have purchased, leased or otherwise acquired a Peugeot/Citroen diesel vehicle, manufactured and/or supplied by Peugeot/Citroen in the Peugeot/Citroen/DS NOx Emissions Group Litigation
- Over 40,000 individuals and businesses who have purchased, leased or otherwise acquired a Fiat Chrysler and/or Suzuki diesel vehicle, manufactured and/or supplied by Fiat/Chrysler or Suzuki in the Fiat/Chrysler/Suzuki NOx Emissions Group Litigation
- Over 115,000 individuals and businesses who have purchased, leased or otherwise acquired a Jaguar or Land Rover diesel No vehicle, manufactured and/or supplied by Jaguar Land Rover in the Jaguar Land Rover NOx Emissions Group Litigation
Work highlights
Representing over 640,000 claimants (including municipalities, individuals, businesses, utilities, faith-based organisations and indigenous tribes) in a landmark litigation against two entities of the BHP group which at the time of writing is still dually listed in England and Australia. At the heart of this matter is the 2015 ‘Fundão Dam collapse’ in South-eastern Brazil, involving 50 million cubic metres of iron ore tailings being washed into the Doce River with massive human, environmental, and economic cost.
Representing more than 1,500 Brazilian orange farmers in a landmark case stemming from the Defendants’ admitted cartel conduct in the Brazilian orange market. This includes manipulating demand and artificially fixing purchase prices, which caused substantial harm to the claimants.
Instructed by hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses who owned, leased or otherwise acquired diesel vehicles in their claims against almost every major car manufacturer, associated finance entities and authorised dealerships (“Pan-NOx Emissions Group Litigation”) (colloquially known as “Dieselgate”).
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Christopher Neill
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Pete Gallagher
Practice head
Tom Goodhead
Other key lawyers
Jeremy Evans; Christopher Neill; Guy Robson; Céline Barnwell