David Weir : Watmores Solicitors

David Weir Having qualified in 1995, David joined the firm in 2002 and became a partner in 2004.

Health & Safety/Regulatory

David heads up the firm’s Health & Safety/Regulatory practice. He acts for a variety of public and private sector clients from local authorities, hospitals and other providers of acute, community and psychiatric care to public transport companies, specialist consultants/advisors, construction/demolition companies, manufacturers, fun fairs and leisure organisations.

Cases of fatality or serious injury form the core of his practice but he also handles matters relating to industrial disease/COSHH as well as less serious injuries and “near misses”.

He provides advice and support for initial investigations and improvement/prohibition notices as well as subsequent PACE interviews, inquests and prosecutions, which may range from “technical” regulatory to gross negligence/corporate manslaughter charges. Publicity/containment issues, often of key concern to clients, inform strategy as appropriate.

Public authority/Insurance Litigation

David handles employers, public and product liability cases for public authorities and private sector insurers. In particular he handles construction and manufacturing cases and has extensive experience of healthcare litigation, acting for acute, community and psychiatric organisations.

He also handles bullying/harassment/stress claims.

Fatal Incidents

Fatal incidents may have widespread consequences. Clients may face criminal charges with the potential not just for significant “corporate” fines but also for custodial sentences. There may also be a number of civil claims, not just from the estate/dependents of the deceased, but from other individuals/employees involved in or witness to the fatality as well. Each has the potential to prejudice the other. The consolidated management of all proceedings is, therefore, crucial.

David provides such a consolidated service in cases of fatality. He will engage with the client following the incident to indentify potential charges/claims and determine an overall strategy. He will then handle all criminal and civil proceedings as they may arise, ensuring they are mutually informed and strategically coordinated for mutual benefit. Particular attention is paid to publicity/containment issues.

Contact: dweir@watmores.co.uk

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Recent News

Trigger Litigation

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the EL Trigger Litigation appeal. Judgment is expected within two or three months.

An end to expert witness immunity

In the landmark case of Jones v Kaney, the Supreme Court by a majority of five to two has held that expert witnesses can now be sued for negligence in respect of evidence they give to a court.

Contract : a dispute over jurisdiction

In this case, in which Watmores represented the successful party Haitoglou Brothers SA, an English court has ruled that the courts of Greece have priority under the Judgments Regulation. The dispute must therefore be litigated in the courts of Greece.

Supreme Court supports LAML

The Supreme Court has now vindicated those who set up the London Authorities Mutual Ltd (LAML) by affirming that the tendering procedure was not flawed and local authorities were entitled to enter into insurance arrangements with LAML.

David Weir