Product liability and product safety

• Consumer electronic devices
• Furniture
• Imaging products
• Textiles/apparels (sports and fashion)
• Toys/children’s products
• Wearables
• Whitegoods/home appliances.

• Cannabis
• Cosmetics
• Drinks (including alcohol)
• Food (including GMOs).

• Automotive
• Aviation
• Biocides
• Chemicals
• Construction products
• Machinery
• Marine.

• Pharmaceuticals
• Medical devices

Providing strategic management of manufacturer’s international portfolio of individual product liability claims, up to thousands of claims at a time, across global businesses.

Successfully defending multi-jurisdictional, large product liability matters including successfully defending a landmark group litigation action (300+ claimants) in respect of to DePuy’s Pinnacle ULTAMET® Metal-on-Metal Articulation hip prostheses on behalf of the manufacturer. This case clarified the legal test for all defective products under consumer protection legislation in Europe. Handling over 7000+ product liability claims across EMEA in respect of an allegedly defective medical device.

Successfully defending global manufacturers in a 4-year criminal investigation undertaken by safety authorities for alleged breaches of EU product safety laws.

Acting for core participants in high profile, sensitive issue public inquiries, to include the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the IMMDS (Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety) Review and the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Acting for clients in inquests which allege product-related deaths.

Routinely managing international product launches and market entry due diligence, in 40+ countries at a time, in consumer electronics, cosmetics, medical devices, cannabis, food and drink including in respect of new and innovative technologies.

Advising clients on ad-hoc regulatory compliance obligations, across a broad range of sectors, including in respect of Brexit-related issues and legislative change.

Advising on legality of product claims, including ‘green claims’ in particular and responding to or initiating complaints to relevant advertising bodies in respect of anti-competitive practices.

Regularly advising companies on product supply chains, design and disposal relating to environmental and ethical corporate social matters.

Acting as liaison between companies and product safety authorities in respect of ad-hoc queries, regulatory investigations or for proactive relationship-building purposes.

Advising manufacturers in respect of consumer rights, including in respect of warranties and ongoing obligations in the event of insolvency and end of product life issues.

Routinely coordinating some of the largest global product recalls and supply chain withdrawals undertaken, in respect of 100+ jurisdictions at a time, including in respect of home appliances, cosmetics and consumer electronics (lithium-ion batteries), medical devices and textiles.

Acting for clients in policy work, including in respect of submissions and input into prospective legislation and legislative reform.

Drafting product safety, product recall and product liability international processes for global companies.