Lucy McCormick
"Lucy is very diligent with both a strong eye for detail and good strategic sense. She thinks outside the box, identifying potential issues well in advance."
Legal 500 2024
- Call
- 2008
Lucy is a commercial barrister with a particular emphasis on product liability and related areas. A substantial part of Lucy’s practice concerns group actions or other multi-party litigation.
Lucy is particularly well known for her expertise in matters with a technology element. She has co-authored or contributed to The Law of Artificial Intelligence (Sweet & Maxwell 2021 & 2024), The Law and Autonomous Vehicles (Routledge 2019), and An Introduction to Technology Law (Lexis Nexis 2018).
Matters in which she has been retained over the last two years include the VW NOx Emissions Group Litigation (and the ongoing successor litigation), the AstraZeneca vaccine litigation, the Hormone Pregnancy Test litigation, the Primer Design dispute arising from £135m of allegedly defective PCR-tests, and the Covid Inquiry.
For a number of years, she has been recommended as a leading barrister by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Her rankings include Group Litigation, Product Liability, Information Technology, Environment, and Property Litigation. The directories note that she is “is very diligent with both a strong eye for detail and good strategic sense. She thinks outside the box, identifying potential issues well in advance” and that she is “an extremely diligent and intellectually rigorous junior” (Legal 500 2024). They also comment on her “significant experience in high-profile group actions” and her regular instructions in “product liability disputes arising in the automotive and healthcare sectors” as well as her “rapidly growing practice at the Technology Bar” (Chambers and Partners 2024). In 2023 Lucy won the CogX ‘Outstanding Achievements & Research’ award for her work on Tech Regulation.
In addition to her litigation work, Lucy also has extensive experience in representing clients at mediation and other forms of ADR.
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Expertise
Group Actions
Lucy is an experienced group actions specialist, both in the context of formal Group Litigation Orders and in other large scale multi-party matters. She has particular experience in the automotive and life sciences sectors.
Lucy is ranked for Group Actions by Chambers and Partners, which says “Lucy McCormick has significant experience in high-profile group actions. McCormick has acted in vehicle emissions and medical product claims, among many others” (2024). She is likewise ranked by the Legal 500, which says “Lucy is very diligent with both a strong eye for detail and good strategic sense. She thinks outside the box, identifying potential issues well in advance” (2024).
Lucy has been involved in many of the most significant group actions of the last decade, including:
- VW NOx Emissions Group Litigation
- VW NOx Emissions Group (2) Litigation
- AstraZeneca vaccine litigation
- Hormone Pregnancy Test litigation
- Re Metal on Metal Hips
Lucy has contributed the “Initial Management of the Group” chapter to the forthcoming 2nd edition of Hodge on Multi-Party Actions. Lucy also writes the ‘Group Litigation’ introduction for Chambers & Partners.
From time to time, Lucy is instructed to bring her experience of multi-party actions to bear on other large-scale matters including inquiries and inquests. Lucy is instructed in the Covid Inquiry, and was instructed in the inquest following the death of a young scout who fell off a cliff (in which there were ten separately represented Properly Interested Persons).
Representative cases
grid list-
Hormone Pregnancy Test Litigation
Instructed by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi in relation to litigation arising from use of hormone pregnancy tests during the 1950s – 1970s. HPTs were one of the medical interventions considered in the Cumberledge Review.
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Wilson & Oths v Bayer Pharma AG, Schering Healthcare Limited, Aventis Pharma Limited and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
[2023] EWHC 1282 (QB). Sole junior to Geraint Webb KC.
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VW NOx Emissions Litigation
The claims against Volkswagen revolved around allegations that “defeat device” software has been installed in certain vehicles’ engines, improperly influencing the production of nitrogen oxides during testing: Crossley & Ors v Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft & Ors [2018] EWHC 1178 (QB), [2019] EWHC 698 (QB) and [2020] EWHC 783 (QB). Lucy was instructed by VW from 2016 through to the conclusion of the case in 2022.
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VW NOx Emissions Group (2) Litigation
Lucy is instructed in this ongoing litigation arising out of fresh emissions allegations relating to different engine types. In this unusual multi-GLO litigation where claims against different manufacturers are being heard together, over 1 million claims are being brought against more than 1,000 manufacturers, suppliers and authorised dealers.
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Various v Astra-Zeneca
Representing the Government in relation to litigation relating to the Covid-19 vaccine.
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Re Metal on Metal Hips
Instructed in relation to hip replacements by a prominent manufacturer.
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Re Willenhall Town Gas Works
Instructed (as sole junior to Charles Gibson QC) in this matter in which it is alleged that residents of a housing estate built on the site of the former gas works sustained personal injuries due to environmental contamination.
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Re Medomsley Detention Centre
Instructed in relation to case management issues arising from claims arising out of the abuse of trainees by custodial staff at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961 and 1987.
Product Liability
Lucy undertakes a variety of product liability work, with particular expertise in the automotive and life science sectors.
She has been ranked by the directories for Product Liability for several years. Chambers and Partners says “Lucy McCormick is regularly instructed in product liability disputes arising in the automotive and healthcare sectors. She is noted for her expertise in group actions” (2024). Legal 500 says that she is “very diligent with both a strong eye for detail and good strategic sense. She thinks outside the box, identifying potential issues well in advance” (2024).
Her litigation and advisory work has included:
- Vaccines
- PCR tests
- Hormone Pregnancy Tests
- Vehicle software
- Automated vehicles
- E-scooters and micromobility
- Automated motorway technology
- Industrial machinery
- Building materials
- Vinyl coatings
- White goods
Lucy is particularly known for her expertise in relation to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Automated Vehicles (AVs), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). She is an author of The Law and Autonomous Vehicles (Routledge 2019) and contributes the ‘Liability for Physical Damage’ chapter to The Law of Artificial Intelligence (Sweet and Maxwell 2021 & 2024). Please see the Tech Law section of her profile for more details.
She also has experience in inquests and inquiries (including the Covid-19 Inquiry).
Representative cases
grid list-
Various v Astra-Zeneca
Representing the Government in relation to litigation relating to the Covid-19 vaccine.
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Hormone Pregnancy Test Litigation
Instructed by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi in relation to litigation arising from use of hormone pregnancy tests during the 1950s – 1970s. HPTs were one of the medical interventions considered in the Cumberledge Review.
-
Wilson & Oths v Bayer Pharma AG, Schering Healthcare Limited, Aventis Pharma Limited and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
[2023] EWHC 1282 (QB). Sole junior to Geraint Webb KC.
-
VW NOx Emissions Litigation
The claims against Volkswagen revolved around allegations that “defeat device” software has been installed in certain vehicles’ engines, improperly influencing the production of nitrogen oxides during testing: Crossley & Ors v Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft & Ors [2018] EWHC 1178 (QB), [2019] EWHC 698 (QB) and [2020] EWHC 783 (QB). Lucy was instructed by VW from 2016 through to the conclusion of the case in 2022.
-
VW NOx Emissions Group (2) Litigation
Lucy is instructed in this ongoing litigation arising out of fresh emissions allegations relating to different engine types. In this unusual multi-GLO litigation where claims against different manufacturers are being heard together, over 1 million claims are being brought against more than 1,000 manufacturers, suppliers and authorised dealers.
-
Re Metal on Metal Hips
Instructed in relation to hip replacements by a prominent manufacturer.
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James Hall & Company Holdings Limited v Highways England Limited
Instructed for the government (as sole counsel) in an action arising out a fatal seven-vehicle motorway collision. The case revolved around various items of motorway technology, including the capabilities of VMS (“Variable Message Signs”), MIDAS (“Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling”) and ANPR (“Automatic Number Plate Recognition”) systems.
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DHSC v (i) Primer Design (ii) Novacyt
Instructed in relation to a £135m dispute arising from allegedly defective diagnostic products purchased for use in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. Led by Adam Heppinstall KC. Lucy was the senior junior, managing three other juniors.
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G v B (parties confidential)
Advised the insurers of a major provider of household goods on limitation issues arising out of the CPA 1987.
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X v J (parties confidential)
Advised a leading confectionary manufacturer on causation issues and expert evidence in relation to the breakdown of several items of production line machinery.
Tech Law
Lucy undertakes a variety of contentious and non-contentious tech work, particularly that relating to AI and automated vehicles.
Lucy has been ranked by Chambers and Partners for ‘Information Technology’ for several years, with the directory saying “Lucy McCormick has a rapidly growing practice at the Technology Bar, with a particular focus on automotive and telecoms infrastructure matters. She is experienced in acting in group action and multi-party litigation and in any related reputation concerns” (2024).
She is on the Consulting Editorial Board of Lexis Technology, Media and Telecoms (2017-present). In 2023 Lucy won the CogX ‘Outstanding Achievements & Research’ award for her work on Tech Regulation.
Lucy’s publications in this area include contributions to:
- The Law and Artificial Intelligence (Sweet & Maxwell, 2021 & 2024)
- The Bar Council’s response to the Law Commission Automated Vehicle Consultation
- The Law and Autonomous Vehicles (Routledge, 2019)
- An Introduction to Technology Law (1st ed) (Lexis Nexis, 2018)
She lectures nationally and internationally on tech topics, including at the European Robotics Forum, the Future of Transportation World Conference, the Society for Computers and Law, the UK’s Government Legal Department, and London International Disputes Week.
Representative cases
grid list-
VW NOx Emissions Litigation
The claims against Volkswagen revolved around allegations that “defeat device” software has been installed in certain vehicles’ engines, improperly influencing the production of nitrogen oxides during testing: Crossley & Ors v Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft & Ors [2018] EWHC 1178 (QB), [2019] EWHC 698 (QB) and [2020] EWHC 783 (QB). Lucy was instructed by VW from 2016 through to the conclusion of the case in 2022.
-
VW NOx Emissions Group (2) Litigation
Lucy is instructed in this ongoing litigation arising out of fresh emissions allegations relating to different engine types. In this unusual multi-GLO litigation where claims against different manufacturers are being heard together, over 1 million claims are being brought against more than 1,000 manufacturers, suppliers and authorised dealers.
-
James Hall & Company Holdings Limited v Highways England Limited
Instructed for the government (as sole counsel) in an action arising out a fatal seven-vehicle motorway collision. The case revolved around various items of motorway technology, including the capabilities of VMS (“Variable Message Signs”), MIDAS (“Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling”) and ANPR (“Automatic Number Plate Recognition”) systems.
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Re e-scooter trials (parties confidential)
Advised the insurer of a major e-scooter operator in relation issues arising from a public trial of e-scooters. Involved consideration and analysis of position in relation to geo-fencing and GPS, parking and tip sensors, and related issues.
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Re in-car app (parties confidential)
Advising major OEM in relation to launch of new in-car app.
Property Damage
Lucy is well-known for her expertise in property damage matters.
She has particular experience in the transport sector, including autonomous vehicles, e-scooters and micro-mobility, bridge strikes and damage to the highway. Increasingly she is acting in cases with an environmental flavour where waste has caused property damage. She also has extensive experience in more traditional property damage claims arising out of fire, flooding, storms, pests, gas tampering and industrial accidents.
Property damage claims typically involve complex issues that span a number of specialisms. In such cases, Lucy is able to bring to bear her complementary expertise in property law, product liability and mass torts.
She is co-author of the “Liability for physical damage” chapter in The Law of Artificial Intelligence (Sweet & Maxwell 2021 and 2024).
Representative cases
grid list-
Highways England Company Limited v (1) Auto Renovations & Garage Services Limited (2) Aviva Insurance Limited
This high profile ‘bridge strike’ case involved a truck which had been overloaded making contact with an M20 motorway bridge during an August bank holiday, triggering the declaration of a ‘major incident’. Lucy was instructed in the civil action by Highways England to recover the costs of replacing the footbridge from his employer’s insurers.
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T v P (parties confidential)
Advised on damage to industrial plant during loading of wind farm components.
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X v J (parties confidential)
Advised a leading confectionary manufacturer on causation issues and expert evidence in relation to the breakdown of several items of production line machinery.
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A v B (parties confidential)
Acting for a brick manufacturer in a case in which a delivery of contaminated ash led to issues with bricks utilised across a number of major building projects.
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S v A (parties confidential)
Advised on a substantial Water Industry Act flooding claim arising out of the failure of a pumping station.
Property
Lucy’s practice covers the full spectrum of property law, with a particular emphasis on real property.
She is recognised by the Legal 500 as a leading junior in Property Litigation, , where she was described as “an extremely able barrister, impressive with the lay client and meticulous upon her paperwork. She has a way of exuding confidence and quickly grasps the key elements of the case. She is an incisive and determined advocate“ (2022). She is also ranked in the related field of Agriculture.
Her practice includes:
- Real Property (including adverse possession, boundary disputes, easements, mortgages, options and rights of pre-emption, overage, and restrictive covenants).
- Commercial Property
- Residential Landlord and Tenant
- Co-ownership and trusts of land
In 2014/15, Lucy was seconded to HSBC as part of the FCA’s review of the alleged mis-selling of interest rate hedging products. Her role focused on assessing a number of claims made by property developers and agricultural businesses for loss of profit. In 2016, she sat on the Estates Committee of Middle Temple. As such, she has valuable practical insight into the property and agricultural sectors.
Lucy is Secretary to the Henderson Chambers Property Group.
Representative cases
grid list-
T Ltd v S & Ors (parties confidential)
Dispute concerning an alleged conspiracy between a number of local residents to obstruct a property developer’s access to a shared passageway over which it held a right of way.
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Ellis v (1) Fitton (2) Newman
Four-day trial over the beneficial ownership of agricultural land.
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Radiosite Limited v O’Connor
Dispute about access to a telecommunications tower, leading to an application for an injunction.
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F Ltd v X (parties confidential)
Successful strike out application in an unusual case involving on the one hand a contractual/chancery dispute about mooring rights and on the other allegations of a breach of the Gender Recognition Act 2010 and the Data Protection Act 1998.
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Whittle v Western Power Distribution Limited
Dispute concerning placement of electrical/telecoms cables in agricultural land.
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Trustees of St Mary’s Church House Trust v Bollen
Claim for possession under the now rarely encountered Rent Act 1977. The matter raised capacity and Equality Act issues and involved cross examination of a vulnerable witness. Represented the landlord at a number of interim hearings and full day trial.
Finance & Consumer
Lucy has particular expertise in the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (and its successor the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024) arising from her work in the VW NOx Emissions Group Litigation and successor emissions litigation. She also has experience in claims arising from the Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work Regulations 2008 and other distance selling legislation.
She is regularly instructed in consumer credit matters (including unfair relationships claims, secret commission allegations and mortgage disputes) and has represented a large number of major banks and lenders (including Santander, GE Money, Moneybarn, Mercedes-Benz FS, VWFS and FCE Bank).
In 2009, Lucy spent several months assisting the Financial Markets Law Committee at the Bank of England. In 2014-15, she was seconded to HSBC to work on the FCA’s Interest Rate Hedging Product Review.
Representative cases
grid list-
VW NOx Emissions Litigation
The claims against Volkswagen revolved around allegations that “defeat device” software has been installed in certain vehicles’ engines, improperly influencing the production of nitrogen oxides during testing: Crossley & Ors v Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft & Ors [2018] EWHC 1178 (QB), [2019] EWHC 698 (QB) and [2020] EWHC 783 (QB). Lucy was instructed by VW from 2016 through to the conclusion of the case in 2022.
-
VW NOx Emissions Group (2) Litigation
Lucy is instructed in this ongoing litigation arising out of fresh emissions allegations relating to different engine types. In this unusual multi-GLO litigation where claims against different manufacturers are being heard together, over 1 million claims are being brought against more than 1,000 manufacturers, suppliers and authorised dealers.
-
Gibbs Gillespie (a partnership) v (1) Sturch (2) Sturch Estate Agents
Established that a commonly used clause in the estate agency industry was an unenforceable penalty clause, and successfully argued in favour of a novel application of the Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work Regulations 2008.
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SMG v (1) Vanchhawng (2) Nakarintrakupt
Acted in a complex claim by a mortgage broker arising out of a dispute with investors over the re-mortgage of their portfolio.
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Aktiv Kaptial Portfolio AS Zug Branch v Hackett
Claim for substantial credit card debt, raising issues of validity of assignment and CCA 1974 s.78 issues. Successful at trial, additionally obtaining rare order under CPR 31.22 for commercially sensitive documentation used at trial to be kept confidential.
What the directories say
"Lucy is an extremely diligent and intellectually rigorous junior."
Legal 500 2024
"Lucy is a personable and down-to-earth expert who provides practical and pragmatic advice. Her written work is clear and concise."
Chambers UK 2024
"Lucy McCormick is personable and down to earth. She is a true expert, who provides practical, focused advice."
Chambers UK 2024
"Lucy McCormick is an excellent barrister and a very experienced litigator."
Chambers UK 2024
“She is phenomenal at communicating with clients - she really cuts through complex cases in an incisive way and gets her point across.”
Chambers UK 2023
News and articles
Legal 500 2025 Guide – Top Tier Rankings for...
Out now: The Law of Artificial Intelligence (2nd...
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Settlement reached in Covid-19 PCR testing dispute
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- Advocacy Tutor, Middle Temple (2017 to present)
- Consulting Editorial Board, Lexis Technology Media and Telecoms (2017 to present)
- Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown, C Panel (2016-2022)
- Judicial Assistant to Mummery LJ, Royal Courts of Justice (2008-9)
- Contributor to Hodge on Multi Party Actions (OUP; forthcoming 2025)
- Contributor to The Law of Artificial Intelligence (Sweet & Maxwell; 2021 & 2024)
- Co-author of The Law and Autonomous Vehicles (Routledge; 2019)
- Contributor to An Introduction to Technology Law (Lexis Nexis; 2018)
- Commercial Bar Association
- Health and Safety Lawyers’ Association
- Personal Injury Bar Association
- Property Bar Association
- Society for Computers & Law
- Bar Vocational Course, ICSL (2007-8) awarded Queen Mother’s Scholarship (BVC), Middle Temple
- Graduate Diploma in Law, Oxford Brookes (2006-7) awarded Queen Mother’s Scholarship (CPE), Middle Temple
- Modern History, Somerville College Oxford (First class) (2003-6) awarded Cecil Roth Thesis Prize, Eugene Lee Hamilton Prize, Mary Somerville Prize, Coombs Exhibition
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For more information about the way barristers at Henderson Chambers work, including our fee transparency statement and our complaints process, please 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: 53425
VAT Registration Number: 110 163 968
Legal Status: Barrister
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