David Pittaway QC

David Pittaway QC

David Pittaway QC is widely regarded as a leading silk in medical law, public inquiries, regulatory and disciplinary matters, product liability and insurance law. He frequently appears on behalf of claimants and defendants in clinical negligence cases, healthcare professionals in disciplinary tribunals and acts on behalf of NHS bodies in public law related matters including the administrative court, inquiries and inquests.

He has substantial experience of large-scale litigation arising out of his involvement in The Cervical Screening Litigation, The Shipman Inquiry, The Kingsway Hospital, Derby Inquest and The Capper Pass Claims Review Scheme. He is ranked in the legal directories as a leading silk in medical law and disciplinary matters.

Email: david.pittaway@hailshamchambers.com
Phone: 020 7643 5000

 

Full CV

Further info 

  

Recent cases 

  

What others say 

Year of call: 1977 (Inner Temple); 2011 (Northern Irish Bar)

Year of silk: 2000

Specialist areas: Medical Law, Regulatory and Disciplinary, Public Inquiries and Inquests, Mediation and Arbitration.

Education: Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (MA) (Exhibitioner)

Appointments: Bencher of the Inner Temple, Deputy High Court Judge (QBD), Recorder, Chancellor of the Diocese of Peterborough, Legal Member of the MHRT, Legal Assessor to the RCVS

ADR: Fellow Ch Inst of Arb, Accredited Mediator

Committees: Past Chairman of the Professional Negligence Bar Association, Chairman of the Bar Council's Training for the Bar Committee, Chairman of the Neuberger Monitoring and Implementation Group, Member of the Bar Council's General Management Committee, Member of the Council of the Inns of Court


 

  
  • Mackin v O'Hare and Southern Board of Health and Social Care [2011 QB NI] - death of woman and child in labour following an anaphylactic shock from administration of penicillin
  • Sherwood v Sherwood Forest NHS Trust [2011 QB] - breach of duty by hospital in managing pregnancy of woman with pre-eclampsia and diabetes following which child suffered cerebral palsy
  • Inquest into death of William McEwan [2011] - death of elderly man following replacement of aortic valve by new method of inserting prosthetic valve without open heart surgery
  • Ganz v (1) Dr Childs (2) Dr Lloyd [2011 QB] - failure by GP to admit child to hospital where pneumonia had not been excluded following which child suffered from catastrophic brain damage from an encephalopathy
 

"...a 'good tactical brain, pays great attention to detail and is very good at getting to grips with issues'." Chambers UK 2012

"David Pittaway QC remains a top pick for medical and veterinary instructions..." Chambers UK 2012

"Praised for his 'very strong grasp of cases and sound strategy'." Chambers UK 2011

"...extremely approachable. Commentators describe him as 'pragmatic and good with clients'." Chambers UK 2011

"David Pittaway QC wins much support. He 'knows how to navigate a complex case and get straight to the nub of the matter'." Chambers UK 2010

"David Pittaway QC ‘combines an encyclopedic knowledge with real humanity'." Legal 500 2009

"David Pittaway QC is commended for his 'detailed medical knowledge' and has a strong profile in professional disciplinary and negligence work." Chambers UK 2009

" 'has good judgement, is a good tactician, and instinctively knows how the tribunal is thinking'." Chambers UK 2009

Following The Kingsway Hospital Inquest, Derby, the NHS Trust Board minuted his conduct of the inquest on their behalf as "outstanding".