Medical Negligence
Major medical negligence actions for both claimants and defendants, including: - Cerebral palsy - Anaesthetic brain damage - Neuro/cardiac surgery - Group litigation involving medical treatment such as excess irradiation cases (e.g. Exeter and RAGE)
Pharmaceutical Litigation
Examples cases include: Dr Powers acts in cases relating to general product liability, licensing and judicial review. He also covers: - Benzodiazepine multiparty litigation for manufacturers - Combined oral contraceptive multiparty litigation for manufacturers - Carbon disulphide group litigation - Cases where significant medical causation issues arise, such as chemicals used in industrial processes - Professional negligence associated with the conduct of medical cases - Prosecution of Medical Practitioners before the General Medical Council for the GMC and ABPI - Significant Coroners' Inquests, particularly helicopter tragedies and deaths alleged to have been caused by drugs or chemicals - Judicial review - As a former helicopter pilot, Dr Powers is instructed in civil and criminal aviation cases
Memberships & Appointments
- Examiner for the Fellowship of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians - Legal Advisor to CORESS, the Charity improving standards of safety in surgery in the NHS - Royal Society of Medicine - Professional Negligence Bar Association - Society of Doctors in Law - Medico-Legal Society of London - Elected Fellow of the Faculty of Forensic Law & Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians
Publications
- "Hydroxylations of aromatic amino acids mediated by a tetrahydropterin" Biochimica et biophysica acta {Biochim-Biophys-Acta} 1970 Dec 29, VOL: 222 (3), P: 606-10, ISSN: 0006-3002. - Co-Author of "Thurston's Coronership: The Law and Practice on Coroners" (1985) Longman Law, Tax and Finance - Specialist Editor: Coroner's Law in the Justice of the Peace Reports (1985-1990) - Chapter in "Consciousness Awareness and Pain in General Anaesthesia" Butterworths (1987) - Co-Author of "Casebook on Coroners" Barry Rose Publications (1989) - Chapter in "General Anaesthesia" Butterworths 5th edn (1989) - General Editor of "Powers & Harris: Medical Negligence" Butterworths (1990) - Record Keeping in Anaesthesia: what the law requires Br. J. Anaesth. 1994:73:22-24 - The Coroner's Inquest: Br. J. Anaesth. 1994; 73; 78-82 - Introduction to Medical Negligence Law Clinical Risk (1995) 1, 37-39 - Foreseeability and Remoteness Clinical Risk (1996) 2, 85-87 - Chapter in "Rehabilitation of the Physically Disabled Adult" Stanley Thornes (1997) - Chapter in "General Anaesthesia" Butterworths 6th edn (1997) - Chapter in "Emergency Anaesthesia" Arnold (1997) - Chapter in "Drug Induced Automatism in Medicine, Medical Devices and The Law" Greenwich Medical Media Limited (1999) - Co-Author of "Sources of Coroners Law" (1999) Barry Rose Law Publishers Ltd - General Editor of "Powers & Harris: Clinical Negligence" Butterworths (1990 - 2005) - Chapter in "Risk Management and Litigation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology" Royal Society of Medicine (2001) - Chapter in "Acquired Damage to the Developing Brain" Arnold (2002) - Communicating risk in the United Kingdom. BMJ 2003 Sep 27 327(7417) 735-6 - Past Consulting Editor: Clinical Risk published by Churchill Livingstone - A Quantum Leap for Investment in Patient Safety: A Legal and Moral Duty. Published privately Simon John and Michael Powers QC September 2011 - Opinion on the Crash of Chinook ZD 576 on Mull of Kintyre 2nd June 1994 - Co-Editor in Chief: "Rix's Expert Psychiatric Evidence 2nd Edn 2021" published by Cambridge University Press
Testimonials
I have worked with Dr Michael Powers QC over the last 8 years or so on a number of difficult and challenging cases. Both I and my clients have always been most impressed with the service that we have received. Whilst clearly Dr Michael Powers is an eminent KC he is always approachable.
'The 'sharp-minded' Michael Powers KC wins accolades for his medical background and prowess.
Michael has represented several of my clients at lengthy and difficult Inquests. During these he has shown enormous sensitivity to the families. He is a first rate advocate. His attention to detail is “second to none”.
Privacy Notice
This privacy notice explains how, why and for how long Dr Michael Powers KC KC will process or retain your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
If Dr has been instructed by you, your litigation friend, your solicitor or agent, or through a pro bono referral, it is necessary to process your personal data in order to provide legal services. This may include advising on the prospects of litigation, advising on the value of a claim, representation at hearings or trial, and reviewing legal issues or evidence.
Recipients of your data
Depending on the nature of your case, data may be shared with courts and tribunals, your solicitors or agents, witnesses, experts, other legal representatives, ombudsmen or regulators, education and examining bodies, and current, past or prospective employers.
Special categories of data
Some matters require processing special category personal data, including information about health, ethnicity, religion, trade union membership, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal allegations and convictions. Such data will only be processed where necessary to represent you or advise on your claim.
Retention
Your personal data will be retained for no longer than necessary and, where possible, anonymised. In general, records relating to cases are retained for at least six years to comply with professional obligations under the Bar Code of Conduct and tax record-keeping obligations.
Once your case has concluded and any fees have been paid, only the personal data necessary for regulatory compliance, conflict checking, defence of complaints or fee disputes, and reference in future similar cases will be retained.
Your rights
You may request confirmation that your personal data is being processed, request a copy of that data, request rectification of inaccurate data, object to certain processing, request restriction of processing, or request erasure where the GDPR permits it. Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time, although doing so may mean Dr can no longer provide the legal services requested.
Security
Appropriate physical and technical measures are taken to safeguard your personal data and prevent unauthorised access, accidental loss, misuse or disclosure.
Complaints or queries
If you have any questions about this privacy notice, or how your personal data is used, please email clerking@thebarristergroup.co.uk or the clerks at clerking@thebarristergroup.co.uk, or call 01823 247 247.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Further information is available at ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/.
Work with Dr
Send us your details and a member of the clerking team will be in touch. Or call us now on 01823 247 247.