Dr Michael Powers KC BSc MB BS DA FFFLM LLD (hons) General Information Dr Michael Powers KC is the leader of the Clinical Negligence Group at Clerksroom and acts on behalf of both claimants and defendants. He has had 40 years of experience at the bar in all areas of medico-legal practice focusing on medical, scientific and legal causation. He has published, lectured and broadcast widely on medical negligence. As a strong supporter of the NHS, Dr Powers advocates constant attention to standards of practice and an open system of accountability when things go wrong. For many years, he campaigned for “Robbie’s Law” – a legal duty of candour in the NHS. His other main interests as a medical negligence QC relate to the investigation of deaths (coroners and other inquiries). He has represented the Fire & Rescue Service at inquests, the pharmaceutical industry with regard to product liability and licensing and all types of cases (civil and criminal) where scientific principles are involved. He lives up to his Chambers & Partners recognised reputation as being “first-rate on technical evidence.” As a trained and accredited mediator, he mediates principally in professional negligence matters, though he has experience mediating in marine and aviation cases. As an arbitrator, he has recently concluded a 2-year international commercial arbitration which involved a substantial dispute on technical matters. Education in medicine and the law is vitally important to Dr Powers. He remains a Registered Medical Practitioner and is a lead examiner for the Primary Membership of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians. For many years, he has been a grade A advocacy trainer/tutor trainer, and he seeks to improve the skills of advocacy of young barristers in England, Wales and abroad. Areas of law Medical Negligence Pharmaceutical Litigation Professional Negligence Coroners' Inquests Judicial Review Civil & Criminal Aviation Law 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: Benzodiazepine multiparty litigation for manufacturers Combined oral contraceptive multiparty litigation for manufacturers Carbon disulphide group litigation Dr Powers acts in cases relating to general product liability, licensing and judicial review. Other Areas of Practice 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 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 Memberships 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 Education London BSc (Hons Biochem) MB BS (Lon) DA (RCS), FFFLM, LLD (honoris causa) Personal Interests Lecturing, broadcasting and reading on specialist topics, shooting, flying (holder of PPL(H) and has held ratings on R22, R44 and EC120 helicopters), piano playing and photography. A long interest in wine led Dr Powers to being intronisé vigneron d’honneur by la Jurade de Saint-Emilion in September 2012, which ensures regular visits to the Bordeaux region.