National recognition for ‘Brockovich’ lawyer (From The Northern Echo)

National recognition for ‘Brockovich’ lawyer

11:13am Tuesday 24th November 2009

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A LAWYER from a North-East Chambers has been nationally commended for his work on a landmark contamination case which has been likened to the UK version of Erin Brockovich.

David Wilby, joint head of Chambers at Parklane Plowden, acted on behalf of 16 claimants in Corby, Northamptonshire, which established that reclamation of a former steelworks site in the Eighties and Nineties, which saw toxic dust pollute the air over a 4km radius, caused birth defects.

It received international media coverage, and has been described as “the worst child poisoning case since thalidomide”, and has also been likened to Erin Brockovich, whose fight to construct a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in California in 1993 was made into an Oscar-winning film.

In recognition of Mr Wilby’s work on the case, which was concluded at London’s High Court of Justice in July, Parklane Plowden – which has Chambers in Newcastle and Leeds – won the outstanding case of the year award at the national Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards.

Mr Wilby said: “This landmark decision was most probably the first time in the world that a judge has accepted that birth defects can be caused by airborne toxic chemicals.

“To receive the award is testament to the hard work and endeavour of a dedicated team.”

The verdict in Corby Group Litigation v Corby Borough Council was historically significant as the first in the world to establish a link between atmospheric toxic waste and birth defects – all previous cases have involved water pollution.

The decision also holds implications for other council reclamation programs and the methods of conducting reclamation in England and Wales.

More than 350 personal injury professionals, including solicitors, barristers, insurers and claims management companies from across the UK attended the awards, which are held to showcase high standards of practice.

Parklane Plowden was also shortlisted for personal injury chambers of the year, but was beaten by a major London law firm.

Jeremy Freedman, joint head of Chambers, said: “The success for David in ‘outstanding case of the year’ is a huge endorsement of the strength and quality of Parklane Plowden in the field of personal injury litigation.”

Parklane Plowden was formed on October 1, 2007, following the merger of Park Lane Chambers, in Leeds, and Plowden Chambers, in Newcastle.

Michael Stubbs, senior clerk in Newcastle, said: “The success and recognition Chambers has achieved since our merger maintains our growing reputation as a leading set, particularly in the field of personal injury locally and nationally.”

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