Richard Meeran joined Leigh Day in 1990 to work on the firm’s pioneering case against the Sellafield nuclear plant.
He was made partner in 1991 and was instrumental in developing the firm’s ethos to make multinational corporations accountable for their exploitation of workers. After a four year stint with Slater and Gordon in Australia, Richard rejoined the Leigh Day partnership in 2008.
Richard pioneered claims against UK based multinationals, Cape PLC for 7,500 South African asbestos and Thor Chemicals for South African workers poisoned by mercury. This included two landmark jurisdiction victories in the House of Lords, Connelly v RTZ Corporation Plc [1997] 3 WLR 373 and Lubbe & Others v Cape Plc 2000 1 WLR 1545.
More recently he represented 31 Peruvian torture victims in case against Monterrico Metals plc, which was settled (without admission of liability) in July 2011. The obtaining of a worldwide freezing injunction for the claimants broke new ground, Tabra & Others v Monterrico Metals Plc [2009] EWHC 2475; [2010] EWHC 3228.
Since 2004, Richard has been working with the South African Legal Resources Centre and Legal Aid South Africa on
silicosis claims against Anglo American by former South African gold miners. He is also acting for former South African gold miners in a UK silicosis class action against Anglo American.
Richard was the winner of the Liberty/Justice “Human Rights Lawyer of the Year” award (2002).
Articles and publications
Tort litigation against multi-national corporations City University of Hong Kong Law Review Volume 3:1 Fall 2011 pp 1–41