Compass Chambers (rated Band 1 for Product Liability in Chambers and Partners) has provided the highest number of Advocates involved in product liability cases in recent years, both for pursuers and manufacturers.
Robert Milligan QC, Andrew Smith QC, Clare Connelly, Kate Bennett and Emma Toner were the counsel principally instructed for the pursuers in the recent Vaginal Mesh litigation whilst Astrid Smart QC and Lesley Shand QC acted for the main manufacturers. Richard Pugh was instructed for the CLO in the same litigation.
In the metal on metal hip litigation, Robert Milligan QC, Clare Connelly and Craig Murray acted for the pursuer in the case of Hastings v Finsbury Orthopaedics 2019 SLT 1411, the biggest proof under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 in Scotland. The reclaiming motion is due to be heard in December and an appeal to the Supreme Court is all but inevitable.
Andrew Smith QC and Craig Murray also acted for the pursuers in the Celebrex and Vioxx litgations. Craig Murray also acted for the pursuer in the lead case in Vioxx and Lesley Shand QC and Graeme Middleton for the defenders in Celebrex (see Richards v Pharmacia Ltd t/a Pfizer 2018 SLT 492. Robert Milligan QC also acted for the defenders in Vioxx.
Back in 2012, Robert Milligan QC and Calum Wilson successfully acted for the defenders in the case of McGlinchey v General Motors UK Ltd [2012] CSIH 91.
- "Compass Chambers houses a strong bench of advocates and impressive expertise in complex product liability disputes. The stable's tenants have considerable experience of acting on behalf of both pursuers and defender manufacturers in claims involving medical devices. Several members of the team have recently been involved in the high-profile vaginal mesh litigation." - Chambers UK 2021
Product Liability Advocates
- Andrew Smith KC
- Lesley Shand KC
- Robert Milligan KC
- Astrid Smart KC
- Amber Galbraith KC
- Graeme Middleton KC
- Catherine Smith KC
- Richard Pugh KC
- Preston Lloyd
- Malcolm McGregor
- Kenneth Christine
- Gordon Balfour
- Robin Cleland
- Yvonne Waugh
- Craig Murray
- Emma Toner
- Clare Connelly
- Grant Markie
- Kate Bennett
- David Swanney
- Gregor Rolfe
- Carla Fraser
- Hugh Masters
- Elaine Smith
- Mark Nicholson