Product liability, personal injury, insurance, general product and pharmaceuticals regulations UK and EU, sale of goods, health and safety and environment, clinical negligence, fire claims, mass tort claims involving group actions, major accident and disaster claims and inquiries, railways.

Barrister with a speciality in product liability, product safety, personal injury, sale of goods, insurance; commercial disputes; mass tort claims involving group actions; major accident and disaster claims and inquiries; railways; health and safety; and environment. Most of his court work has been in the Queen’s Bench Division, the Commercial Court, the Technology and Construction Court and the Court of Appeal. He has also appeared at public inquiries; in arbitrations and mediations. Reported cases include railway inquiries (Clapham, Cowden and Severn Tunnel), product liability group actions (Opren, Benzodiazepine, Lariam, Pertussis, Tobacco, Benzene in Co2, MMR, Fetal Anti-Convulsants). Other notable reported cases include: National Trust v Haden Young [1993] (the Uppark fire claim) CA; McCafferey v Datta [1996] CA, the state benefits scheme and its effect on compromise; B v John Wyeth & Roche Products Ltd [1996] CA, striking out claims for abuse of process; Powell v Boladz [1997] CA, striking out a medical negligence claim; Hodgson and Others v Imperial Tobacco Limited and Others [1998] in the Court of Appeal, conditional fees – personal liability of solicitors for costs and publicity in relation to proceedings in chambers; Watson v Huddersfield FC QBD [1998]; Parker v PFC Flooring Supplies Ltd – personal injury – employer’s liability, CA; Bass Britvic/Bacardi Martini v Terra Nitrogen [2002] CA, liability for contamination of drinks; Sayers v Smithkline Beecham & ors [2002] CA, cost sharing ordering in group actions; the Competition Commission inquiry into domestic bulk LPG 2004/05; Viasystems v Thermal Transfer [2005] CA, vicarious liability for temporary employees; and R v Cemex [2007] CA – environment agency prosecution; Farraj v King’s College Medical Trust [2008] QBD and [2009] CA – wrongful birth claim; Collet v Middlesbrough FC [2008] QBD and [2009] CA – damages for a professional footballer; Network Rail v Conarken [2010] QBD (TCC); Omega Proteins v Aspen [2010] QBD (Commercial); Valentine v Transport for London [2010] CA; Vaile v London Borough of Havering [2011] CA; Chong v Funafloat (Personal Injury) [2012]; Sylvestre v MOD [2012] (injury on active service); Raggett v Preston Catholic College [2012] QBO (claim for injury caused by childhood sexual abuse); Gilman v UPS and Network Rail [2013] TCC; Salat v Barutis [2013] CA (credit hire); Re Cunningham deceased [2014] (Red Arrows inquest).

Called 1975; QC 1995; 1976 to 1978 practised from Chambers at 4 Kings Bench Walk prosecuting and defending London crime; 1978 moved to 2 Harcourt Buildings; since 1986 engaged almost exclusively in commercial and common law work; moved to 1 Temple Gardens (now Temple Garden Chambers) 2009; assistant boundary commissioner; CEDR accredited mediator; legal assessor Nursing and Midwifery Council.

London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association; CEDR; Personal Injury Bar Association; Commercial Bar Association.

Marlborough College; Southampton University (LLB Hons).

Sailing, travel, theatre, music.