Samantha Silver
Profile
Samantha leads our products law and life sciences team. She has over 22 years of experience and became a partner in the London office in 2015. She advises on recalls, public inquiries and product liability claims (including group litigation orders), with a focus on the pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer sectors. The claims she handles are often of a commercially sensitive nature.
She represents insurers and manufacturers in some of the largest and most high-profile matters, overseeing claims in the UK and internationally. Notably, Samantha has led hugely significant cases which have shaped the development of product liability law in Europe. She has headed not only the team which successfully defended the DePuy ULTAMET Metal on Metal Hip Litigation, a complex product liability group action culminating in a landmark judgment in the High Court (Gee & Others v DePuy International Limited) but also the team which successfully defended medical device manufacturers in the UK Supreme Court in the case of Hastings v Finsbury Orthopaedics Ltd (1) and Stryker UK Ltd (2).
Qualifications and admissions
- Qualified in England and Wales in 1999
Market recognition
- Notable practitioner (Band 1) for 'Life Sciences: Product Liability (UK-wide)'
"Samantha Silver is a superstar in the product liability team. I like her for a lot of reasons, including that she is very easy to work with, has a good grasp of the law combined with a commercial approach which clients really appreciate".
"Samantha Silver is incredibly effective at managing cross-border product liability matters for clients. They have managed the claims well over the years and we have had some good recent results with them".
"Working with Samantha Silver has been an excellent experience. The knowledge she has over the claims being brought and the particular client involved instils confidence in all claims being handled. Sam is very approachable and always willing to provide assistance on whatever issue is put in front of her".
Chambers UK 2024 - Notable practitioner (Band 1) for 'Product Liability: Mainly Defendant (UK-wide)'
"Samantha Silver is very easy to work with, and she has got a very good grasp of the law combined with a commercial nous, which clients really appreciate".
Chambers UK 2024 - Leading individual and recommended lawyer for 'Product liability: defendant (London)'
"Samantha Silver is intelligent, insightful and a brilliant lawyer. She has very good instincts, and is brilliant at leading a team through complex litigation".
The Legal 500 UK 2024 - Notable practitioner (Band 1) for 'Life sciences: product liability (UK-wide)'
"Samantha Silver is decisive, thorough and a great team leader."
"I could sing her praises for days. Samantha has excellent judgement and achieves fantastic results."
Chambers UK 2023 - Notable practitioner for 'Product Liability: Mainly Defendant (UK-wide)'
Chambers UK 2023 -
Leading individual and recommended lawyer for 'Product liability: defendant (London)'"Newly in charge, Sam Silver, brings a wealth of experience in large-scale and high profile product litigation with a stable of premier clients. She exudes common sense and tactical nous. She is really a top player in the field".The Legal 500 UK 2023
- Notable practitioner for 'Product Liability: Mainly Defendant (UK-wide)'
"She is very efficient, a savvy operator."
Chambers UK 2022 - Recommended lawyer for 'Product liability: defendant (London)'
"Samantha Silver has know-how in medical devices, consumer products and pharmaceuticals cases."
The Legal 500 UK 2022
Awards
Work highlights
- Successfully defended the DePuy ULTAMET Metal on Metal Hip Litigation, a complex product liability group action culminating in a landmark judgment in the High Court (Gee & Others v DePuy International Limited [2018].
- Successfully defended medical device manufacturers in the UK Supreme Court in the case of Hastings v Finsbury Orthopaedics Ltd (1) and Stryker UK Ltd (2) [2022].
- Successfully represented the defendant insurance market in the reported Outokumpu Stainless Ltd v (1) AXA Global Risks (UK) Ltd and ors [2007], a High Court case regarding an insurance coverage dispute arising from a multi-million pound radioactive contamination claim.
- Acted on behalf of Beko Plc in litigation in respect of fridge-freezer fire which resulted in the tragic death of Mr John Wilson.
- Providing strategic management of manufacturers’ international portfolios of product liability claims.
- Acting for interested parties in public statutory Inquiries including the Infected Blood Inquiry.
- Advising pharmaceutical companies in relation to claims arising from clinical trials.