Charles has an established practice in clinical negligence and gained a wide exposure to complex clinical negligence work.
He appears for both Claimants and Defendants at all stages from interlocutory hearing through to trial in cases up to 3 million. He has been led on several cases.
Recent and ongoing cases include:
- Acting on behalf of a Claimant who suffered a delayed diagnosis of slipped femoral epiphysis. The claim will likely exceed £2million in value.
- Acting on behalf of a Claimant suffering from severe brain damage alleged to be the result of negligently performed cardiac surgery. The claim will likely exceed £5million in value. Being led by Chris Melton KC.
- Acting on behalf of a Claimant who suffered an injury to his brachial plexus as a result of shoulder dystocia.
- Acting on behalf of a Claimant who suffered Cauda Equina Syndrome due to negligently performed surgery.
- Representing the Defendant at a JSM where the Claimant was pleaded in excess of £1.4million.
- Representing the Defendant at a JSM where the Claimant pleaded his claim at £900,000.
- Acting for the Defendant on a Fatal Accident Act claim pleaded in excess of £1million.
EDUCATION
LL.M. The University of Cambridge (Pembroke College)
BVC – Very Competent
SCHOLARSHIPS
Hubert Greenland Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
Sir Thomas More Bursary, Lincoln’s Inn
PUBLICATIONS
‘The writing’s on the wall… the legal consequences of signatures’ In Brief (August 2016.)
‘She should have died hereafter: when is death caused in law by breach of duty?’ Clinical Risk (2015) Vol 21, Issue 5 pp. 87-91.
APPOINTMENTS
Welsh Government NPS Panel.
CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE
Charles has a growing practice in clinical negligence and appears for both Claimants and Defendants at all stages from interlocutory hearing through to trial. Prior to completing his pupillage Charles gained a wide exposure to complex clinical negligence work and assisted on several matters which reached the Court of Appeal.
Charles’ experience includes case of delayed diagnosis, delay in surgical treatment, consent to treatment and vaginal mesh implants. Charles also undertakes inquest work associated with clinical negligence.
Charles is currently junior counsel on a group litigation involving oral pregnancy tests which were prescribed in the 1950-1960s.
Charles is able to call upon his previous experience as a College Tutor at the University of Cambridge focusing on tort law and Researcher at the University of Oxford. Charles’s strong academic background allows him to quickly absorb complex material and its interrelation to any given legal framework. As part of this work, Charles co-authored the following article ‘She should have died hereafter: when is death caused in law by breach of duty?’ Clinical Risk (2015) Vol 21, Issue 5 pp. 87-91, which focused on instances where an admitted breach of duty cannot be considered causative of a patient’s death.
PERSONAL INJURY
Charles practises in all aspects of personal injury and has experience in a broad range of areas including road traffic accidents, accidents at work and occupier’s liability. He undertakes advocacy at all stages from interim hearings to appeal. He has a busy paper practice and is regularly instructed to prepare advices (both as to liability and quantum), particulars of claim and schedules of loss.
Rubner v Sajjad (Manchester County Court before HHJ Main QC): Charles successfully represented the Claimant on an appeal against a strikeout in which it was argued that the court acted ultra vires in removing the case from the portal due to the retrospective nature of the decision in Philips v Willis.
INDUSTRIAL DISEASE
Charles has a growing practice in industrial disease with a particular focus on asbestos related illness up to and including mesothelioma. Charles is experienced in both written advices and court representation. Charles is keen to expand this area and undertakes both Claimant and Defendant work.
COMPANY AND COMMERCIAL
Charles undertakes a broad range of commercial chancery work including advisory, drafting and advocacy. He has appeared in multiple trials, applications and case management hearings. He has experience in a number of areas that fall within the ambit of commercial chancery including, breach of contract, unjust enrichment and restitution, fiduciary obligations, consumer law, construction, insolvency, bankruptcy, and tort based liabilities including negligence, nuisance and conversion. He also has experience in the more traditional areas of chancery including, easements, profit-à-prendre, injunctions and trespass.
Act on Carbon v Freedom Renewables Ltd & Suffield (Nottingham County Court before HHJ Godsmark QC): Charles acted for the Defendant on a two-day multi-track claim in which the Claimant alleged fraudulent misrepresentation on behalf of the Defendant. The claim centred around the Green Energy Initiative and contracts entered into to provide cavity wall insulation.
Charles D C Austin
Bar Council Membership No: 55732
VAT Registration: 235129816
ICO: ZA174477
For further practice details of Charles please contact Claire Labio or Emma Wall.
