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Hendersons - Barristers' Chambers

Andrew Kinnier KC

“Calm, unflappable, straight talking. One of my go-to leaders on complex cases because he is intellectual and strategic”.

Legal 500 2022


Call
1996
Silk
2018

Andrew Kinnier KC is recognised as a leading silk and advocate in the fields of Product Liability, Group Actions, Inquests and Inquiries, Public Procurement, Administrative and Public law and Health and Safety.

He is recommended as a “first rate advocate”, “bright, able and fearless”, “a silk who fights his client’s corner”, “phenomenally committed to the cause of the client” and “those that instruct him comment on his accessibility as well as the experience, knowledge, leadership and insight he brings to bear on a matter”. This “efficient and focused barrister” displays an “amazing attention to detail” and a “fine understanding of difficult and tricky concepts”. Andrew is recommended as “an expert on very technical and scientific points” and “those that instruct him comment on his accessibility as well as the experience, knowledge, leadership and insight he brings to bear on a matter”.


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Expertise


Product Liability

Andrew is a clear, forceful and utterly charming advocate. He reads the Court very well and quickly builds an effective rapport with the bench”.

“Calm, unflappable, straight talking. One of my go-to leaders on complex cases because he is intellectual and strategic”.

 “A very bright and charming silk, who is great with judges and clients. Unassuming but with a core of steel. He recognises that sometimes the fight is what you have to do to achieve your strategic goals”.

 Andrew is a leading specialist in defence-side product liability work and has been recommended by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 for more than 15 years. His product liability practice includes many of the largest and most high-profile cases of the past few decades including NOx emissions, Asbestolux/Marinite, Seroxat, Metal-on-Metal hip implants, combined hip prostheses, pelvic mesh, PIP breast implants and vaccines. He is described as a “rising star” and “a leading figure in defence work” who receives very high praise for his involvement in complex product liability cases, particularly those concerning defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals. He is also recommended as “a very stylish advocate. He is confident, articulate and persuasive”.

He is a contributor to the “International Product Law Manual” published by Kluwer.

Representative cases

grid list
  • NOx emissions litigation

    Acting for a major diesel car manufacturer in group litigation regarding NOx emissions.

  • The Seroxat Group Action

    A claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 in which it is alleged that the claimants were unable to discontinue their use of the antidepressant Seroxat.

  • In the matter of a vaccine

    Acting for manufacturer of a vaccine for the treatment of influenza during a pandemic in relation to hundreds of claims brought by those alleging injury due to inoculation.

  • Concept 70 Limited & ors v. Cape Intermediate Holdings PLC

    Acting for the manufacturer of asbestos products in lead claims brought by insurers to recover outlay in relation to thousands of historic asbestos claims.

  • Cape Distribution Limited v. Cape Intermediate Holdings PLC [2016] EWHC 1119 QB

    Insurance proceedings brought by insurers to recover outlay in relation to thousands of historic asbestos claims.

  • Bailey & Others v GSK [2016] EWHC 178 (QB); [2016] EWHC 1975 (QB)

    Consideration of the question whether a stay should be lifted on group litigation.

Group Actions

Genuinely faultless. He is always well prepared, calm and pragmatic.”

A skilful advocate

Andrew is an excellent silk who makes time for clients and gives clear advice

Andrew is a rarity among KCs, he is ultra-approachable with clients and queries. Yet, when it comes to the court he is a goliath of an advocate. During cross-examination, he can gain the trust of a witness, only to unleash a serrated edge when the next witness in line is obstructive.

Andrew is a highly experienced defence-side advocate in group actions. He has been involved in the major group actions of the past 20 years including the Seroxat litigation; the Metal-on-Metal Hip litigation; the Combined Hip Prostheses litigation; the PIP breast implants litigation; the Miners’ Knee litigation; the British Coal Respiratory Disease litigation; the Coke Workers litigation and the Phurnacite litigation.

Andrew also has extensive experience of mass tort claims particularly those alleging human rights violations inside and outside the United Kingdom. His practice in this field includes Kesabo v. Africa Barrick Gold PLC, the Mau Mau litigation and the Cornwall Partnership Trust litigation.

Representative cases

grid list
  • NOx emissions litigation

    Acting for a major diesel car manufacturer in group litigation regarding NOx emissions.

  • The Seroxat Group Action

    A claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 in which it is alleged that the claimants were unable to discontinue their use of the antidepressant Seroxat.

  • In the matter of a vaccine

    Acting for manufacturer of a vaccine for the treatment of influenza during a pandemic in relation to hundreds of claims brought by those alleging injury due to inoculation.

  • Concept 70 Limited & ors v. Cape Intermediate Holdings PLC

    Acting for the manufacturer of asbestos products in lead claims brought by insurers to recover outlay in relation to thousands of historic asbestos claims.

  • Cape Distribution Limited v. Cape Intermediate Holdings PLC [2016] EWHC 1119 QB

    Insurance proceedings brought by insurers to recover outlay in relation to thousands of historic asbestos claims.

  • Bailey & Others v GSK [2016] EWHC 178 (QB); [2016] EWHC 1975 (QB)

    Consideration of the question whether a stay should be lifted on group litigation.

Public Inquiries and Inquests

“Andrew is old-fashioned in his scalpel-like focus, assessing what matters and what doesn’t. He is exceptional at managing people.”

“He is polished as an advocate and has good judgment.”

A strong advocate. He is intelligent, reasonable and professional.”

Andrew is one of the most able silks operating in this field. He is fiercely clever and is very good at getting to grips with complex facts and technical issues and distilling them into clear advice and strategy.”

Andrew is also “highly regarded by his peers for his fair but firm approach and an extremely effective lawyer with a keen intellect. He combines a deep knowledge of the law with a pragmatic approach and excellent judgement, which make him highly sought after for inquests and public inquiries.”

 Andrew has been retained in many high-profile public inquiries and substantial inquests including starting with the Ladbroke Grove Inquiry and the Joint Inquiry into Train Protection Systems. Since 2017, Andrew has been one of the three leading counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. He is also leading counsel for the Welsh Government in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Andrew has broad experience of significant inquests, particularly in relation to deaths involving members of the Armed Forces, workplace deaths and high-profile incidents such as the railway accidents at Ufton Nervet, Potters Bar and Greyrigg.

Representative cases

grid list
  • The Grenfell Tower Inquiry

    One of three leading counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry into the circumstances leading up to and including the fire on 14 June 2017 in which 71 residents of Grenfell Tower lost their lives.

  • The UK Covid-19 Inquiry

    Leading counsel for the Welsh Government in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry into national response to and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • Re Roberts & Scott

    Inquest following fatalities sustained in a helicopter crash in Kabul, Afghanistan.

  • Re Laco

    Inquest following a fatality during the construction of the Francis Crick Institute.

  • Re Gilbert & Singh

    Inquest following two fatalities during the construction of Heathrow’s T5 terminal.

  • Re Ufton Nervet, Potters Bar and Greyrigg

    Inquests following railway accidents.

Public Procurement

His knowledge and application of the procurement rules is impressive.”

“A first-rate advocate who exudes a calm assurance when advising clients. He has excellent attention to detail and is quick to understand technical issues. Although he has a first-rate understanding of procurement cases, his breadth of experience helps him keep a clear eye on the overall risks and prospects of the case.”

Andrew has a well-established and broad public procurement practice and is recommended as “a highly valued and very practical advocate” and a “fantastic team player who’s incredibly bright and insightful” with a “first rate knowledge of procurement law”. He is recommended as a leading silk in public procurement law (Legal 500) and a global leader in government contract law (Who’s Who Legal).

Andrew has particular experience in defence, maritime and transport-related procurement as well as disputes arising from NHS contracts (including PFI agreements) and large-scale regeneration projects. He also has expertise in the procurement and state aid aspects of European Structural Funds and related issues arising from the United Kingdom’s EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Andrew is a member of the Procurement Lawyers Association.

Representative cases

grid list
  • MSI-Defence Systems v. Secretary of State for Defence

    Acting for the Secretary of State in a challenge to the award of a contract for the provision of a naval gun system.

  • Blue Water Recoveries Ltd v. Secretary of State for Transport

    Acting for the Secretary of State in a challenge to the award of a contract for the salvage of silver bullion.

  • In the matter of various rail franchises

    Advising the Secretary of State for Transport on the merits of various challenges to the award of certain rail franchises.

Administrative and Public Law

“He is an intellectual powerhouse.”

 His broad practice provides him with a very broad perspective when advising on public law matters and as a result provides very sensible advice on strategy and prospects. Andrew is fiercely bright and picks up issues very quickly”.

 Described as “academically and intellectually strong; forceful in Court” and “exceptional in his advice and in his attitude. He is enormously good to deal with, prompt, positive and fun”.  Before taking silk, Andrew was Junior Counsel to the Crown (A Panel) and a member of the Welsh Government’s Public Law A Panel. He is now a member of the Welsh Government’s KC Panel and is regularly instructed by the Government Legal Department.

Representative cases

grid list
  • The Queen (Kingston-upon-Hull City Council) v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills [2016] EWHC 1064 (Admin)

    Consideration of the lawfulness of advice given under the primary authority scheme.

  • The Queen (Wilson) v Secretary of State for Transport [2015] EWHC 2330 (Admin)

    Challenge to the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention into domestic law.

  • The Queen (Main) v Minister for Legal Aid [2007] EWHC 742 (Admin)

    Availability of legal aid for inquests.

  • The Queen (Western Riverside Waste Authority) v London Borough of Wandsworth [2005] EWHC 536 (Admin)

    Waste collection authority’s power to fix tariff.

  • The Queen (Hancock) v Welsh Ministers

    Challenge relating to power to recover overpayments made to dentists.

  • The Queen (Leavesley) v UKBA

    Challenge to decision to award contract for storage of seized goods.

Health & Safety

He is very competent, concise, focused, clear and analytical.”

“A silk who fights his client’s corner”.

Andrew is an excellent advocate, presenting his oral arguments with great clarity”.

“He’s very, very knowledgeable in health and safety law and has a lot of experience”.

 Andrew is recommended as a “silk who fights his client’s corner” and is described as having “an eye for detail and really gets to the heart of the issue”; “he puts his clients at ease, and never fails to impress them with his insightful advice and commercial approach” and “calm and thorough, and good with clients”. Although he has particular experience in the mining, construction, rail and road transport and food industries, Andrew is instructed on a range of employer’s liability and related health and safety claims and prosecutions. He is also regularly retained in claims relating to industrial diseases as well as claims arising from accidents at work, mesothelioma, asbestosis and hazardous claims, fatal accidents and inquests.

Andrew was appointed as one of the lead counsel to the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry and is leading counsel acting for the Welsh Government in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Representative cases

grid list
  • The UK Covid-19 Inquiry

    Leading counsel for the Welsh Government in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry into national response to and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • Grenfell Tower Inquiry (2017-)

    Andrew is one of the lead Counsel to the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry.

  • AgChemAccess Ltd v Health & Safety Executive

    Claim for damages arising from the withdrawal of enforcement notices.

  • GRW Ltd v Health & Safety Executive

    Claim for judicial review relating to advice given to the Secretary of State for Transport.

  • Amazing Ventures Ltd v Covent Garden Market Authority

    Multi-million civil claim relating to asbestos exposure.

  • Office of Rail Regulation v Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

    Acting for the company in respect of a collision between track maintenance equipment and a high speed train in the approach to Paddington station.

Environmental Law

Andrew has been recommended in environmental law as “an insightful and practical advocate” and “a first-rate barrister; he is able to see the key issues and clients absolutely love his approach”. Andrew advises on all regulatory aspects of environmental legislation, in particular the obligations of waste disposal and collection authorities, as well as acting for public bodies and companies in civil and criminal proceedings arising from the use of land, including the contamination of land. Andrew has also represented public authorities in relation to infraction proceedings brought by the European Commission in environmental matters.

Representative cases

grid list
  • The Queen (Western Riverside Waste Authority) v London Borough of Wandsworth [2005] EWHC 536 (Admin)

    Waste collection authority’s power to fix tariff.

  • The Queen (West London Waste Authority) v Mayor of London

    Challenge to Mayor’s failure to consult under the Greater London Assembly Act 1999.

  • Environment Agency v Abbey Metal Finishing Ltd

    Prosecution of company arising from pollution of river Anker by cyanides following a fire.

  • Environment Agency v Railtrack PLC

    Prosecution relating to diesel pollution of river.

  • Environment Agency v Elite Hotels

    Prosecution of hotel chain in respect of recycling of packaging.

  • Environment Agency v FD Todd & Sons

    Prosecution of waste carrier relating to deposit of food waste.

 

What the directories say


"He has a natural and friendly charisma about him that allows people to feel at ease."
Chambers UK 2025

"Andrew enchants clients and courts."
Chambers UK 2025

"He has such a lovely way of dealing with witnesses and is very good on the advocacy."
Chambers UK 2025

"Andrew Kinnier is very efficient, effective and good at getting to the heart of issues."
Chambers UK 2025

"He is highly accessible and user-friendly."
Chambers UK 2025

Instructing Andrew Kinnier KC

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Appointments
  • Deputy High Court Judge (2023)
  • King’s Counsel (QC 2018)
  • Lead Counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (2017)
  • Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown, A Panel (2011-2018)
  • Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown, B Panel (2008-2011)
  • Welsh Government KC Panel (2018)
  • Junior Counsel to the Welsh Government (A Panel – Public Law) (2012-2018)
  • Junior Counsel to the Welsh Government (Public Law Panel) (2009-2012)
Publications
  • Contributor to Halsbury’s Laws of England (Volume 37)
  • Contributor to Bullen & Leake & Jacob’s Precedents and Pleadings (15th-19th editions)
  • Contributor to Kluwer’s International Product Law Manual (1st and 2nd editions)
Memberships
  • ALBA
  • Bar European Group
  • Procurement Lawyers’ Association
  • South Eastern Circuit
  • Health & Safety Lawyers’ Association
  • Personal Injuries Bar Association
Education
  • Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge: Whittaker Scholarship; College Tripos Prizes (History and Law); Evan Lewis-Thomas Law Scholarship and Akinjide Prize
  • University of Cambridge: BA (First Class Honours); MA
  • Middle Temple: Queen Mother-Fox Major Scholarship
Regulatory Information

All members of Chambers are registered with the Bar Standards Board of England and Wales. For our standard contractual terms click here.

For more information about the way barristers at Henderson Chambers work, including our fee transparency statement and our complaints process, please click here.

Bar Council Number: 35678

VAT Registration Number: 701582265

Legal Status: King’s Counsel

Professional Insurance: All members of Chambers have professional liability insurance provided by the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund Ltd. Territorial coverage is world-wide and subject to the term of the Bar Mutual. Click here for details.

Regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

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