Product Liability
Our Product Liability team delivers expert, integrated legal advice on all aspects of product regulation, liability, and safety law, both in Ireland and across the EU. With deep sector knowledge, we regularly support domestic and international clients in healthcare, BioPharma, MedTech, animal health, food, and cosmetics.
We have extensive experience managing and defending mass tort and contract claims involving allegedly defective products, often with complex, cross-border elements. Our team guides clients through every stage of product crisis management, from regulatory notifications and risk assessments to recalls, investigations, and inspections.
We are leaders in crisis management, providing swift, strategic legal support for large-scale, business-critical issues. Our track record includes advising on statutory inquiries into contaminated blood products (HIV and Hepatitis C), and defending Europe’s largest meat processor in relation to the contamination by third parties of certain beef products with horsemeat and on the defence of contractual claims.
Our specialist lawyers are supported by ALG Solutions, Ireland’s largest in-house alternative legal service provider, offering advanced legal resourcing, process optimisation, technology, and project management to further strengthen our service.
Our experience
Smith and Nephew on the defence of metal-on-metal hip replacement cases and in respect of surgical devices.
Astora Women’s Health LLC and Astora Women’s Health Ireland Limited in the defence of claims concerning surgical mesh.
Baxter Healthcare and their insurer in the defence of claims under the Product Liability Directive and in negligence actions relating to the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Celvapan.
Regulatory and strategic advice to a listed Chinese Biotech company on the voluntary recall of its SARS COVID-19 antigen self-test kits from the EU market, managing a related investigation by HPRA and advising on the potential contractual dispute with a European distributor.
An international laboratory group on its response to the Scally inquiry into the Irish cervical screening services programme Cervical Check and on its contractual relationship with the Irish Health Services Executive.
An international manufacturer of Vaping products on responding to a regulatory investigation by the HSE concerning alleged violations of tobacco legislation including labelling, packaging, marketing, ingredients and registration requirements. Advising the client in relation to corrective actions including ceasing operations and product recalls. Assisting with its communications with the regulator and advising on the withdrawal from EU market.
An international tobacco manufacturer in Irish judicial review proceedings and a preliminary reference to the Court of the Justice of the EU in a legal challenge to the banning of heated tobacco products under the Tobacco Products Directive.
British American Tobacco in product liability matters and in the successful defence of the first regulatory prosecution under Irish marketing legislation.
Key contacts
Cliona Christle
Partner, Life Sciences & Healthcare
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