Band 1
Band 1
Band 2
About
Provided by Michael Rawlinson KC
Practice Areas
Personal Injury, Disease Litigation, Aviation and Inquests. Significant reported cases include:
Acting for c. 100 firefighters within the ‘Grenfell Tower’ litigation.
Lipton v City Flyer Ltd [2021] EWCA CIV 454 – compensation for delayed flights pursuant to EU Reg 261. Appeared for appellants: first appellate judgment given in respect of retained EU law following UK withdrawal. The Respondents sought and have obtained permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Mather v MOD [2021] EWHC 811 (QB) – claim that exposure to organic solvents caused MS. Settled at a high proportion of the pleaded case after completion of evidence.
The Queen (on the application of Gerard Joseph Parkinson) v HM Senior Coroner for Kent v Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, Sameer Hijazi [2018] EWHC 1501 (Admin) – first Judgment to consider the applicability of ECHR Art 2 to deaths in hospital following the ECtHR decision of Lopes Sousa Fernandes v Portugal.
Whiting v Keolis [2018] EWCA Civ 4 - nature of duty owed to intoxicated passengers in rail stations by train operators;
Bussey v Anglia Heating [2018] EWCA.l Civ 243; [2018] 3 All E.R. 354; [2018] P.I.Q.R. P11; (Clarification of the law on breach/foreseeability in mesothelioma cases;
The “Nimrod” and “Snatch Land Rover” inquests: both large losses-of-life events in Afghanistan. I acted for the families in both.;
Fairchild v Glenhaven “Fairchild” – seminal case on the law of causation in the context of mesothelioma;
Sowden v Lodge;
Grieves v Everard ('The Pleural Plaques ‘test litigation');
Thompson & Rice v Secretary of State for the Department of Trade & Industry;
Career
University: Manchester LLB (Harry Street Tort Prize, Lawson Prize and Dauntsey Scholarship). Inner Temple (Major scholarship). Called in 1991 and took silk in 2009
Professional Memberships
Northern Circuit Medical Law Association. PIBA.
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Michael Rawlinson KC is a highly respected silk who acts for claimants and defendants in a variety of complex claims, including military and industrial disease cases. He is adept at contending with high-profile claims brought by single and group litigants, and has expertise in a variety of areas, including illnesses caused by asbestos and radiation exposure. He has experience handling aerotoxicity claims.
Michael Rawlinson KC is a renowned silk with a dual focus on industrial disease claims along with injuries sustained during military service. He acts mainly on behalf of claimants though he also advises insurers on legal strategy, particularly in relation to asbestos liability. Many of his cases have an international or human rights element.
Michael Rawlinson KC of Kings Chambers has been instructed by families in a variety of inquests related to military, police and healthcare matters, often connected with Article 2 and mental health aspects. He has garnered acclaim for his specialist knowledge of industrial disease cases.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Excellent on complex cases against the biggest defence teams with exceptionally deep pockets."
"An excellent KC. Encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. Excellent on his feet as an advocate, knows exactly how to get the judge on side - a skilled negotiator. Accommodating and accessible to clients."
"I can't sing Mike's praises more. He is formidable on his feet and he brings so much to the table. I trust him implicitly in inquest work."
"Michael has exceptional patience, skill and accuracy in approach. There is no mind in law that operates quite like his."
"Michael has an encyclopedic knowledge of the law, but he's also good at dealing with clients and explaining difficult legal concepts simply."
"Michael continues to be at the forefront of asbestos disease litigation. He displays a fierce insight in complex areas and looks to explore new concepts."
"Michael is an exceptional barrister in his field - innovative, approachable and thorough."
"Michael is a force of nature. He is excellent with clients, robust and never afraid of a challenge!"
"Excellent on complex cases against the biggest defence teams with exceptionally deep pockets."
"An excellent KC. Encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. Excellent on his feet as an advocate, knows exactly how to get the judge on side - a skilled negotiator. Accommodating and accessible to clients."
"I can't sing Mike's praises more. He is formidable on his feet and he brings so much to the table. I trust him implicitly in inquest work."
"Michael has exceptional patience, skill and accuracy in approach. There is no mind in law that operates quite like his."
"Michael has an encyclopedic knowledge of the law, but he's also good at dealing with clients and explaining difficult legal concepts simply."
"Michael continues to be at the forefront of asbestos disease litigation. He displays a fierce insight in complex areas and looks to explore new concepts."
"Michael is an exceptional barrister in his field - innovative, approachable and thorough."
"Michael is a force of nature. He is excellent with clients, robust and never afraid of a challenge!"
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London (Bar)
Midlands (Bar)
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