Product Liability

Product liability is an ever-growing area of legal practice, and area of risk for companies involved in the manufacture and supply of products, particularly consumer goods, all around the world.

In today’s international economy, product liability issues are necessarily cross border. It is critical for such companies to have a working knowledge of the laws on product liability across the jurisdictions into which their products or component parts reach.

Product liability laws or the practical application of those laws can vary greatly across jurisdictions – even across jurisdictions one would ordinarily expect to be aligned or coordinated. Further, governments around the world continue to grapple with the challenges posed by and regulation required around class actions and litigation funding, balancing the interests of plaintiffs to be compensated for their loss and damage, and the interests of manufacturers and suppliers, for whom awards of damages (never mind the costs of conducting such actions) may be devastating.

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Annette Hughes is known for her commercial and strategic advice and cool head in high stakes, critical regulatory and commercial litigation and dispute matters.

She provides that advice on matters ranging from risk management and regulatory compliance (including regarding corruption and bribery, product liability, trade practices) to complex and critical investigations, inquiries and commercial disputes.

Annette has acted on matters involving Amcor, Billabong, BHP Billiton, Coles Group, Dulux Group, Kraft, Fujitsu, Plantronics, and Rio Tinto. However, whether she is acting for multi-national entities or well-known Australian brands, Annette’s knowledge and approach inspires the ultimate trust in her solutions and advice.

Rod Freeman is an experienced product liability lawyer based in Hogan Lovells London office. He has been involved in most of the major product liability issues in recent times, including those involving products such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, asbestos, tobacco, silicone breast implants, cosmetics, cars and automotive equipment, electrical and electronic products, machinery and sporting equipment.

He also advises many of the world's leading suppliers of consumer goods on EU product safety regulation, risk management and product recalls. Rod has particular expertise in complex multiple-claimant litigation, and in cases raising international issues.