Region Area

Barristers

Toby Riley-Smith KC

Toby Riley-Smith KC

Work Department

Consumer law, environmental law, inquests and inquiries, health and safety, and product liability.

Position

He is a leading silk in the fields of (1) consumer law, (2) environmental law, (3) health and safety, (4) inquests/inquiries and (5) product liability. He acts for organisations and individuals in claims, prosecutions, mediations, public inquiries and/or inquests – often representing clients in all of the different processes that follow product failures, accidents or disasters. He has particular expertise in group litigation, having acted in some of the most significant group actions of the last two decades including The Tobacco Litigation, The MMR Vaccine Litigation, The PIP Breast Implant Litigation, The Bodo Oil Pipeline Litigation, The Corin Metal-on-Metal Hip Litigation, The Vaginal Mesch Litigation, the Essure Litigation and the Pan Nox Diesel Emissions Litigation.

Career

Jules Thorne scholar, Middle Temple 1994; Called 1995; CEDR accredited mediator 2000; Attorney General’s A-Panel 2012; Silk 2016; Recorder 2019; Standing Counsel (Consumer) to the Competition and markets Authority (2021)

Publications:

Contributor to / co-editor of: 'Product Liability Law and Insurance'(2000); Halsbury’s Laws of England (Consumer Credit) (2000); Halsbury's Laws of England (Practice and Procedure) (2001); Blackstone's 'Guide to Consumer Credit Act 2006' (2006); Goode: Consumer Credit Law and Practice (Looseleaf)(2007-018); Butterworths' Commercial and Consumer Law Handbook (2009-2020); The Law of Artificial Intelligence (2nd ed) (Thomson Reuters 2024).

Memberships

PIBA, COMBAR, Medico-Legal Society and Health and Safety Lawyers' Association.

Personal

Born 1969; educated Eton College; Trinity College, University of Cambridge; City University; Inns of Court School of Law. Married with three children.

Leisure

My family.

Mentions

London Bar

Financial services and fintech regulation

Leading silk3
Toby Riley-Smith KC –Henderson Chambers ‘Toby is particularly gifted in explaining complex legal matters to the client in a logical and simple manner. His tone is thoughtful and he is very knowledgeable in consumer credit.’
London Bar

Group litigation

Leading silk2
Toby Riley-Smith KC – Henderson Chambers ‘Toby has excellent experience in all the major product liability group actions over the last two decades. He has an impeccable eye for detail, a calm and sensible approach to problems and an attractive advocacy style. He is one of the currently one of the most sought after players in the field.’
London Bar

Health and safety

Leading silk1
Toby Riley-Smith KC –Henderson Chambers ‘Toby is a superb advocate. He works terrifically hard on every case and is meticulously prepared. A concise barrister with exceptionally good judgement.'
London Bar

Product liability

Leading silk1
Toby Riley-Smith KC –Henderson Chambers ‘Toby has excellent experience in all the major product liability group actions over the last twenty years. He has an impeccable eye for detail, a calm and sensible approach to problems and an attractive advocacy style. He is currently one of the most sought-after players in the field.’