Our Expertise

4 New Square is recognised as a leading set in the Legal 500 for Product Liability.  We are home to a number of barristers with experience of differing aspects of product liability law, from contractual disputes between commercial entities about defective goods to multi-party or single claimant actions concerning consumer products.

‘4 New Square continues to enjoy a strong reputation for its representation of defendants in both individual product liability claims and high-profile group actions. Its barristers receive a wealth of instructions in pharmaceutical claims and disputes concerning defective medical products. Members are also experienced in the handling of cases arising from major fires, and several of the set’s tenants have recently appeared in the high-profile Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The team is able to draw on the set’s broader strengths in construction and insurance to complement its product liability offering.’  – Chambers & Partners, 2022

‘A “good set with a broad range of talent”‘ – Legal 500

Individuals appeared in the leading case in England & Wales on the interpretation of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and the European Product Liability Directive, but members of Chambers have also appeared in a wide range of product liability cases apart from that. There is a wealth of experience and expertise in dealing with pharmaceutical or medical related product liability litigation, as well as members of Chambers conducting and defending claims relating to other types of consumer products, foodstuffs and industrial products or equipment, particularly claims arising out of fires.

Work done by members of Chambers includes:

• the Atomic Veterans litigation
• the BSE litigation
• the Buncefield litigation
• the Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease litigation
• the foot and mouth epidemic
• the hepatitis C litigation
• the HIV-Haemophilia litigation
• the Porton Down litigation
• the tobacco litigation
• claims relating to pharmaceutical or medical products such as Aspirin, Benzodiazepam, dopamine agonist drugs (for Parkinson’s disease), foetal anti convulsants, MMR, Myodil, Opren, Seroquel, TGN1412, Valium, Vigabatrin, Vioxx, Zyprexa, pacemakers, prosthetic joints, skin fillers, surgical glue