Stuart Warmington

Stuart is a senior associate in the international and group litigation department specialising in domestic and international group claims often involving vulnerable individuals who have been harmed by the activities of multinational defendants.

What people say

Ranked as an Associate to Watch in Chambers 2024 (Product Liability: Mainly Claimant)

"Stuart is very efficient and effective in his support."

"Stuart is reliable and provides clear communications and advice."

Legal expertise

Stuart has extensive experience of working on high-profile group actions in a number of areas:

International corporate accountability

Stuart was part of the team at Leigh Day which brought claims on behalf of 273 artisanal miners and local villagers from the area surrounding Montepuez Ruby Mine in Northern Mozambique. The claim was pursued against Gemfields Limited and involved allegations of serious human rights violations, physical assault and property damage. A settlement was agreed under which financial compensation was paid to each claimant, the provision of community agricultural projects and training and the establishment of an Operational Grievance Mechanism aimed at providing further access to justice.

Stuart is currently acting for a group of around 130 Burmese migrant factory workers who allege they were subjected to forced labour, false imprisonment and unlawful wage payments and other injuries while working in clothing factory in Thailand. The groundbreaking claims allege that two British multinationals: Tesco, on the basis that the harm was suffered while the claimants were employed within their global supply chain and Intertek, which was tasked with auditing the factory in question.

Stuart also represented the family of an Iraqi individual who died from cancer and alleged that this had been caused by living in the vicinity of flaring emissions released from an oil field in which British multinational was involved.

Product liability

Stuart successfully settled a group action involving an orthopaedic medical device brought on behalf of approximately 150 individuals, recovering damages in excess of £1m for the group.

Stuart was also part of the team which pursued Gee & Others -v- DePuy International Limited (The DePuy Pinnacle Metal on Metal Hip Litigation) [2018] EWHC 1208 (QB) to trial. Involving some 300 claimants, the case is a leading authority on the interpretation of “defect” under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. 

He was also part of the team which pursued hundreds of similar claims involving the DePuy ASR hip system.

Stuart has acted for a number of individuals who were seriously injured while participating in clinical trials and pursued damages against the trial sponsors.

He has also represented a number of other individuals who have been seriously injured following provision of various medical devices or pharmaceuticals including implantable Deep Brain Stimulation devices and breast implants associated with causing cancer.

Property claims

Stuart was part of the team that represented a large group of leaseholders affected by the presence of aluminium composite panels (ACM) in the wake of the Grenfell Tower cladding scandal [Naylor and others -v- Roamquest Ltd and another].

Stuart also acted for a family who alleged they had suffered respiratory and psychiatric injuries as a result of a faulty ventilation system being installed in their newbuild home.

Abuse

Stuart represented for a large group of gymnasts who pursued claims against British Gymnastics, as the governing body for the sport, for injuries allegedly caused by abusive coaching and competitive practices during their careers. The case was widely reported in the media and included a number of Olympians within the claimant group.

Equalities and disability rights

Stuart has acted in several matters involving the Equality Act 2010 (and related legislation) and advised on complex issues relating to reasonable adjustments.

Further experience

Stuart joined Leigh Day in 2011 and spent a number of years specialising in product liability claims. He then completed his solicitor training with the firm and spent time in the international department working on a corporate accountability group action. On qualification, he remained with the firm as an associate solicitor until 2021.

Stuart then joined Hausfeld & Co LLP, a specialist litigation and competition practice and worked on a range of matters within their environmental and product liability team until the end of 2023.  

Stuart re-joined Leigh Day in January 2024 as a senior associate in the international and group claims department.

Education

Northumbria University, Law (Exempting) LLB (Hons) 2009

Membership

Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

London Irish Lawyers Association

Accreditations

Associate to Watch: Chambers & Partners 2024

In the news

• Public Inquiries and product liability: Mind the (accountability) gap New Law Journal 28.7.23
• The new product liability directive: Fireworks or fizzle? New Law Journal 4.11.22
• Product liability: More David, less Goliath? New Law Journal 6.5.22
• Product liability and the 'Peter Parker Principle' New Law Journal 2.7.21
• Product liability: into the unknown New Law Journal 17.3.21