Heather Arlidge

Call 2009
Telephone 020 7831 0222 | Email [email protected]

Heather Arlidge

Call 2009
Telephone 020 7831 0222 | Email [email protected]

Heather is a specialist public inquiry and medical law practitioner, practising in personal injury, clinical negligence, and inquests & inquiries. She also practices in broader public & administrative law, particularly in matters regarding prisons and the secure estate.

Heather’s practice is currently dominated by the Eljamel Inquiry, a Scottish public Inquiry investigating the professional practice of Mr Eljamel, a consultant neurosurgeon, and the governance systems, or lack thereof, that were in place to protect patients. Heather is First Junior Counsel to the Inquiry. She 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 extensive experience of acting as Counsel to the Inquiry, and Counsel for Core Participants in a number of high profile public inquiries.

She is currently First Junior Counsel to the Inquiry in the Eljamel Inquiry, chaired by Lord Weir.

Heather was junior counsel representing Haemophilia Scotland, the Scottish Infected Blood Forum, and approximately 200 individual core participants from 2020-2026.

Heather was senior junior to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in Module 2A from 2023 to 2025.

In 2025-2026, Heather was junior counsel to the Inquiry in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Direct Access

Heather is authorised to accept instructions direct from members of the public. She encourages clients who are considering this route to contact Chambers and discuss their problem.

In suitable cases, Heather can provide client conferences, written advices and representation at court. Heather accepts public access work across Chambers’ areas of expertise.