Infected Blood Inquiry - Heather Arlidge
Sir Brian Langstaff’s long-awaited report into the Infected Blood Scandal will be handed down today at Westminster Central Hall
Published: 20th May 2024
Heather is a specialist medical law practitioner, practicing in personal injury, clinical negligence, and coroners’ inquests. She also practices in public law, particularly in matters regarding prisons and the secure estate.
Heather’s practice is currently dominated by the Covid-19 Public Inquiry, in which she is instructed as junior counsel to Module 2A, investigating the core decision making and political governance in and concerning Scotland. Heather was heavily involved in the high-profile oral hearings in Edinburgh in early 2024; her involvement in the Inquiry continues.
Heather is also currently instructed as junior counsel on behalf of the Scottish infected and affected core participants in the Infected Blood Inquiry, which is frequently referred to as the UK’s largest ever public inquiry into the NHS’ biggest treatment disaster.
Away from public inquiries, Heather continues to accept instructions across her practice areas.
Prior to joining Chambers, Heather worked for two well-known insurance law firms in London, where she was instructed in almost every conceivable type of claim that might be expected in a defendant insurance practice. Although the focus of her practice is now medical, her broad common-law experience means she continues to receive instructions in matters such as construction claims and contractual disputes.
Clinical Negligence Law
Heather is the head of the Clinical Negligence Team at 42BR Barristers.
She acts for both Claimants and Defendants (both in the public and private healthcare sectors). She particularly enjoys dealing with matters concerning complex medical issues, and has been instructed in a broad range of claims against, for example, GPs, surgeons, midwives, dentists, and NHS Trusts.
Heather frequently advises on paper and in conference across the range of her clinical negligence practice. She has a busy multi-track court practice, and regularly drafts Statements of Case in claims pleaded significantly in excess of £1m (for both Claimants and Defendants).
She has particular experience in dealing with cases concerning cosmetic surgery and the specific issues that arise in such cases regarding patient expectations and consent.
Recent cases
- Acting for the Claimant (via her litigation friend) in respect of a claim arising from a hypoxic brain injury following surgery. The Schedule of Loss exceeded £1.5m. (concluded 2021)
- Acting for the Defendant in a claim against a private cosmetic surgeon in respect of blepharoplasty treatment
- Acting for the Defendant in a claim brought in respect of bladder injuries sustained by the Claimant in the course of an unplanned caesarean section.
Inquiries
Heather has experience of acting as Counsel to the Inquiry, and Counsel for Core Participants.
She is currently instructed in 2 high-profile and long-running inquiries.
- Infected Blood Inquiry (Sir Brian Langstaff): representing Haemophilia Scotland, the Scottish Infected Blood Forum, and approximately 200 individual core participants. Sir Brian’s final report is expected in May 2024; the Inquiry has attracted considerable political and media attention.
- Covid-19 Inquiry (Baroness Heather Hallett): counsel to the inquiry, module 2A. Heather was heavily involved in the oral hearings in early 2024 and continues her work as part of the team investigating political and administrative governance and decision making in and concerning Scotland.
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