Angus Withington KC
"Angus is a really effective advocate; he has a good eye for detail and clients love him."
Chambers UK 2024
- Call
- 1995
- Silk
- 2021
Angus Withington KC is an experienced common law and commercial barrister, who has been recognized in the legal directories for a number of years as a leading practitioner in the fields of health and safety and personal injury.
His practice also encompasses the full range of work undertaken in Chambers, notably product liability and group actions, inquiries and inquests, insurance and commercial work.
He is currently noted by Chambers and Partners (2025) to be “… a fantastic advocate. His meticulous attention to detail allows him to get to the heart of the issues and advocate persuasively and effectively. He is confidence-inspiring and very likeable” and as a “go-to barrister for matters with criminal or regulatory and civil components because of his ability to deal excellently with both. The quality of his advice and support is second to none.”
He has also been described in the Legal 500 as “a comprehensive and persuasive advocate, who has a fantastic manner with clients”, “an excellent negotiator” and the provider of “quick, concise advice” who “achieves great results.”
He is a Recorder of the Crown Court and County Court and is also the Chairman of the Appeal Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
For more information about the way barristers at Henderson Chambers work, including our terms of engagement, fee transparency statement and our complaints process, please click here. Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
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Expertise
Personal Injury
Angus has a strong personal injury practice, which covers the full range of accidents. He is particularly noted for his work relating to catastrophic work place accidents and in cases where there are difficult issues of medical causation, expert evidence and allegations of fraud and fundamental dishonesty.
He is regularly instructed by Defendants in large multi-million pound claims, arising from high profile accidents and often involving multiple Claimants. He is a successful trial advocate but is also adept at resolving cases by way of joint settlement meetings and mediations.
He has been recognised as a leading practitioner in personal injury law by the Legal 500 for many years. The 2025 edition states that, “He is technically brilliant and very knowledgeable. He is excellent with clients from all walks of life and his advice is always clear and straightforward.”
Representative cases
grid list-
Drummond v Keolis Amey Docklands Ltd [2023] EWHC 853 (KB)
Successful defence of a multi-million claim by a trespasser struck by a train on the Docklands Light Railway.
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Harrison v Big Bang Productions [2021] EWHC 2396 (QB)
Successful defence of a claim by a participant in a Bear Grylls survival race.
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Allen v Two Four Broadcast Limited and others [2021]
Acting for the Austrian company responsible for constructing the ski jump in the claim pursued by Beth Tweddle as a result of injuries sustained whilst filming the TV show, “The Jump”.
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Crooks v Hendricks Lovell Limited [2016] EWCA Civ 8
Decision by the Court of Appeal that Part 36 offers expressed net of CRU are to be assessed after any challenges to the certificate had been undertaken.
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MacLeod v Commissioner of the Metropolis [2015] EWCA Civ 688
Acting for the successful Claimant, who was catastrophically injured by a police car responding to an emergency call.
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Smithurst v Sealant Construction Services Limited [2012] Med LR 258
The Court of Appeal upheld a decision that a Claimant’s damages should be limited to a two year acceleration period.
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Grant Couzens v T McGee & Co Ltd (now t/a McGee Group Ltd) (2009) PIQR P14
The Court of Appeal determined that a makeshift tool did not amount to “work equipment” under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 where an employer had not given either express or implied permission for its use.
Health & Safety
Angus has considerable experience appearing in all courts up to and including the Court of Appeal in the defence of health and safety prosecutions. He has successfully defended companies and individuals facing the most serious health and safety charges arising from high-profile accidents. He has also acted in a number of prosecutions brought by local authorities, fire authorities and for offences under the Environmental Protection Act.
His recent work includes successfully securing the acquittal of a company following a fatal accident at a steel works and the acquittal of a site supervisor in respect of a fatality at a construction site.
He is experienced in all aspects of health and safety work, including advising in relation to the investigations undertaken following an accident and successfully challenging prohibition notices.
He is listed as a Leading Silk in Health and Safety law by Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
Representative cases
grid list-
HSE v QinetiQ (2025)
Prosecution arising out of an accident at a defence testing range.
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HSE v Materials Movement Ltd (2024)
Prosecution arising out of a fatality at a construction site.
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HSE v FP McCann (2021)Capital Karts (2024)
Prosecution arising from a fatal accident at a go-karting circuit.
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HSE v Liquid Leisure Ltd (2024)
Prosecution arising from a fatal accident at an outdoor swimming facility.
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R v Timmins Waste Services (2023)
Prosecution alleging corporate manslaughter following an accident at a waste processing facility.
Inquiries and Inquests
Angus is also experienced in acting for interested persons at Public Inquiries (eg. Grenfell Inquiry) and Inquests. His recent Inquest instructions have included representing:
- A scout leader arising from the death of a scout during a trip to North Wales
- A security company following a fatal incident at a petrol station
- A company whose contractor died whilst working remotely at a reservoir
- A company operating an open water swimming area in which a child drowned
- A medical device manufacturer following the death of a patient after complications during surgery.
Chambers and Partners (2025) list Angus as a leading practitioner in Health and Safety. Its review notes, “He is extremely knowledgeable in assisting with the defence of prosecutions brought by the HSE and in offering advice and support to clients during the inquest process. He is a pleasure to work with.”
Product Liability
Angus is regularly instructed in relation to product liability claims, both individually and as part of larger teams of Counsel. He has developed a particular expertise in PPE and medical devices used as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His principal areas of work include:
- Medical Devices (eg. Metal on Metal Hip Litigation, Endovascular Devices, Cardioverter-Defibrillators)
- Vehicles (eg. emissions, electrical fires, tyres, tow bars, airbags)
- Workplace and Commercial equipment (eg. lifts, cranes, hydraulic crushers, bead seaters)
- Fairground rides
- Construction materials (eg. insulation, cement, adhesives)
- Clothing
Angus has also advised on a number of national and international product recalls.
Commercial & Insurance
Angus undertakes general commercial and contractual litigation, particularly in relation to insurance, guarantees and the sale of goods. He has notable experience in insurance coverage disputes and in particular as to the operation of condition precedent clauses.
Representative cases
grid list-
Makin v Protec Security Group Ltd [2025] EWHC 895 (KB)
Acting for Insurers who successfully resisted a claim by reason of a breach of a condition precedent by its Insured.
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Maison Blanc Ltd v Active Commercial Interiors Limited & Others [2013] BLR 244
Successful breach of contract claim providing a full indemnity for damages payable to Claimants injured by the collapse of a shop frontage.
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Omega Proteins Ltd v Aspen Insurance UK Ltd [2011] Lloyd’s Rep IR 183
Whether a judgment for breach of contract against an Insured prevented a Third Party pursing a subsequent claim based upon negligence under the Third Party (Rights against Insurers) Act.
Professional Discipline
Angus is highly experienced in the field of professional discipline and regulatory law. He is Chairman of the Appeal Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
He also has particular experience in relation to proceedings before the Institute of Structural Engineers, the Architects Registration Board, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, the General Medical Council and the General Osteopathic Council.
Employment
Angus undertakes a full range of employment work and he has extensive experience in representing clients before the EAT, Tribunals and the civil courts in relation to such claims. He has particular experience in unfair dismissal, discrimination, restrictive covenants and injunctive relief. He is regularly consulted at an early stage by public authorities and employers who seek tactical advice as to how to resolve difficult workplace issues.
What the directories say
"He is really good at adapting and putting clients at ease."
Chambers UK 2025
"Angus is great with clients, from a one-man band to a corporate."
Chambers UK 2025
"The quality of his advice and support is second to none."
Chambers UK 2025
"Angus is our go-to barrister for matters with criminal or regulatory and civil components because of his ability to deal excellently with both."
Chambers UK 2025
"He is confidence-inspiring and very likeable."
Chambers UK 2025
News and articles
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Instructing Angus Withington KC
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- King’s Counsel (QC 2021)
- Recorder (Crown and County Courts)
- Health & Safety Lawyers’ Association
- Personal Injuries Bar Association
- Inns of Court School of Law (Outstanding) (1995)
- Diploma in Law, City University (1994)
- Prince of Wales Scholarship, Gray’s Inn (1994)
- Karmel Award, Gray’s Inn (1993)
- BA Hons, University of Durham (1993)
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: 34406
VAT Registration Number: 681518815
Legal Status: King’s Counsel
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Regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
