Gene Matthews
Partner and joint head of human rights
Gene specialises in consumer law, product liability and data protection claims mainly brought as group claims/ multi-party actions
Gene joined the firm in 2001 and qualified in 2003. He was appointed a partner in 2010. Gene became joint head of human rights in 2023.
He specialises in consumer law, product liability and data protection claims mainly brought as group claims/ multi-party actions. Gene has particular expertise in consumer law and clinical trials.
Historically, Gene represented over 200 British military veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents, allegedly without their informed consent, at the Porton Down military laboratories from the 1940s -1980s.
In 2009, he successfully resolved the claims of four of the clinical volunteers who suffered life threatening injuries as participants in the infamous TGN1412 drug trial at Northwick Park Hospital.
He has worked on a number of the firm’s high-profile international group claims, including claims for Peruvian citizens who suffered significant harm during a public protest regarding the impact of the mine on their local community. He gained extensive experience of the metal-on-metal hip litigation, having acted as lead solicitor in one group claim and assisted on a number of others.
What the directories say
Gene is extremely good and very well regarded.
Chambers and partners 2024
Legal expertise
Gene is currently instructed in a wide variety of group and individual claims; these include:-
- A group claim against Nissan and Renault on behalf of car owners who allege ‘defeat device’ were fitted on some of their diesel cars in order to artificially reduce emissions to pass regulatory tests. It is alleged that software used in vehicles is unlawful;
- A group claim against TalkTalk on behalf of clients who were affected by the unauthorised disclosure of their personal information as a result of data breaches;
- A group claim against easyJet on behalf of clients who were affected by the unauthorised disclosure of their personal information as a result of data breaches;
- A group claim against Carphone Warehouse on behalf of clients who were affected by the unauthorised disclosure of their personal information;
- A group claim on behalf of NHS patients who received blood transfusions contaminated with the Hepatitis C virus in a group action against the Secretary of State for Health.
- A number of individual claims against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of volunteers and patients who were injured having participated in clinical drug trials.
- A group claim against Galliard Construction Ltd and Roamquest Ltd on behalf of leaseholders which relates to ACM cladding used in the construction of their homes. The claimants allege breach of contract and breaches of the Defective Premises Act.
Publications
Post Brexit crystal ball gazing: What the future holds for Phase I Clinical Trials in the UK Clinical Risk 6.4.17
Lawyers repeat call for a public inquiry (sheep dip controversy) Farmers Mart Magazine August/September 2016
What the directories say
Gene Matthews is one of my absolute standouts. Not only has he got experience of pure product liability work, but he has also built up a significant practice in clinical trials work. They are very difficult and complex cases.
Chambers and partners 2023
What our clients say
I am so happy that Leigh Day agreed to take on my case. I would not have been able to endure the difficult process without the ongoing help and support provided by Gene Matthews.
Jannette Vincent
Accreditations
Human rights lawyers warn cutting edge neurotechnology could change people’s sense of personal responsibility
Human rights lawyers have warned that advances in neurotechnology, a science which connects people’s nervous system with electronic devices, could change what it means to be responsible for our own actions, as leaders in the field met with academics and legal professionals in London.
Lawyers representing families affected by the infected blood scandal welcome interim compensation payments
Lawyers representing families of those infected by contaminated blood have cautiously welcomed the government’s announcement that the estates of people who died as a result of the Infected Blood Scandal can now apply to receive an interim payment of £100,000.
Infected blood compensation scheme is welcome but lawyers raise concerns for HCV victims
Human rights lawyers at law firm Leigh Day representing victims of the contaminated blood scandal cautiously welcomed the government’s compensation scheme but raised concerns that the proposals appeared to not address the long fought against disparity of those infected with mono-HCV and mono-HIV.