Leigh Day, a firm ‘at the forefront of promoting product liability claims in the UK, particularly group actions’, has a strong track record in the realm of product safety and consumer law, covering cases related to pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer goods, bicycles and sporting equipment, among others. Michelle Victor, who is head of the firm’s food safety team, has experience of representing clients in multi-party claims and in high-profile inquests. Strong litigators Jill Paterson and Thomas Jervis , who excels in handling fatal product liability cases, are described as ‘excellent in claims involving regulatory challenges’. Tina Patel is instrumental in the group’s work on medical device claims, and the team was further bolstered by the return of Sarah Moore from Hausfeld & Co LLP in January 2024. Martyn Day remains a high-profile figure in this field.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Excellent reputation and experience in product liability matters. There are not many actions where they are not involved somewhere!’
  • ‘Sarah Moore provides real attention to detail in cases. Lots of experience, understands everything about it, and a thought leader as member of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law Product Liability Forum.'

  • 'Jill Paterson and Thomas Jervis are both excellent in claims involving regulatory challenges.’
  • ‘Leigh Day are leaders in the product liability field in my opinion. Their team have an unparalleled knowledge of the area and they are prepared to take new and untested points where appropriate. They work extremely hard for their clients and are also delightful to work with!’

  • ‘Tom Jervis is a product liability star with great instincts and a real depth of knowledge of the area.'

  • 'I consider Leigh Day to be at the forefront of promoting product liability claims in the UK, particularly those involving group actions. They have unique experience of some of the most challenging claims, many involving jurisdictional issues and overseas defendants. They are not afraid to take on large corporate interests.'

  • 'Jill Paterson is a brilliant lawyer and delightful to work with. She brings such experience to every claim.'
  • 'Philippa Wheeler is a great lawyer with an inquiring mind. She is adept at pursuing her client's best interests.’

Key clients

  • NOx Emissions Group Litigation
  • Abbott Laboratories ‘Assurity’ and ‘Endurity’ devices
  • Contaminated Blood
  • Stade De France - Group Claim v UEFA
  • Various Parties v AstraZeneca UK Ltd
  • Sarah de Lagarde v Transport for London
  • Advanced Bionics AG Cochlear Implant Claims
  • Celia Marsh
  • Inquest into the Death of James Atkinson (Deliveroo Anaphylaxis Case)
  • Susan Axelby
  • Whirlpool Tumble Dryer Fatalities
  • JF v Lynton Lasers
  • Michael McKeon v Ewood Bikes
  • Benjamin Norbury v Giant UK Limited
  • ZB v Dexcom Inc.
  • Zimmer Biomet NexGen and Attune Knee Replacement Components

Work highlights

  • Representing over 280,000 claimants against 16 defendants in Diesel Emissions litigation, the largest ever consumer group action in the UK.
  • Acts for a group of bereaved and seriously injured claimants in a claim against AstraZeneca in relation to side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Represented the family of James Atkinson at the inquest proceedings into his death following an anaphylactic reaction from food ordered on Deliveroo.

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Other key lawyers

Michelle Victor, Jill Paterson, Gene Matthews, Sapna Malik, Sarah Moore, Philippa Wheeler, Thomas Jervis, Sally Moore, Daniel Easdon, Jamie Beagent, Richard Meeran, Tina Patel