Patrick Sadd has extensive experience in a variety of complementary areas where he has a reputation for an empathetic approach with clients as well as recognised expertise.

He has expertise in historical and present day abuse claims stemming from a wide variety of settings including religious institutions and groups, schools, care and foster homes, football clubs, youth and scouting groups and family settings, as well as acting for vulnerable adults in long-term residential or psychiatric care.

Patrick was Lead Counsel in both the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (2013-2016 ) and in the IICSA investigation into the sexual abuse of children in the care of the Nottingham Councils (2017-2019).

He acts for both claimants and defendants in clinical negligence and personal injury claims. He is instructed in sensitive cases involving still-birth and neo-natal deaths, as well as in inquests including those arising out of clinical treatment and psychiatric care.

In his long-standing personal injury practice he specialises in catastrophic injury as well as acting for bereaved families in fatal accident claims.

His experience extends to medical device litigation and group actions including the Leicester Epilepsy claims, Trilucent Breast implant, PIP litigation and De Puy litigation.

In contrast, Patrick is recognised as one of the leading experts in European road regulatory law and is regularly instructed on behalf of haulage and coach operators in public inquiries, the Upper Tribunal and the Administrative Courts. Only recently, he acted for the Secretary of State for Transport in a recent test case on large goods’ vehicles and emission control, Midland Container Logistics Limited & Others v Secretary of State for Transport [2020] UKUT 0005(AAC).

Expertise

Over the last five years Patrick has been lead into two inquiries, as counsel to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (2013-2017) looking at abuse of children in care in the island and an as lead counsel in the Nottingham Councils Investigation, a part of the national Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse chaired by Professor Alexis Jay.

Complimenting his public inquiry and clinical negligence practice, Patrick is instructed in inquests for families following neonatal deaths, child deaths when in medical care, and deaths involving psychiatric care.

Patrick has a long-established practice in representing claimants in historical abuse claims as well as vulnerable adults abused in care, currently advising the Official Solicitor on a series of claims in the wake of the Supreme Court decision in GN v Poole (2019) as well as footballer claims. He has acted for claimants in group actions and for Irish citizens claiming redress for childhood abuse in Industrial Schools. He was instructed in the Savile litigation. He has written on abuse claims and appeared on BBC News and radio.

Instructed in claims relating to still-births and neo-natal deaths, birth injuries, mis-diagnoses and surgical negligence. He provided mediated advices in the Leicester Epilepsy Litigation looking into the negligent diagnosis of over 600 children. He acted in the Gosport Hospital deaths inquest. He has been instructed in medical device litigation – in the Trilucent Breast claims he was appointed damages assessor in disputed claims. He advised in the PIP breast implant cases.

Patrick is recognised as one of the leading barristers in the UK in European road transport regulation appearing regularly at public inquiries and in the Upper Tribunal, advising national transport operations on all aspects of road haulage and passenger regulation, and operators’ licensing – most recently he acted for the Secretary of State for Transport in a series of appeals on heavy goods’ vehicles emission controls – see here.

Related updates

Patrick Sadd is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.

“Patrick has the best client care skills I have ever come across in a barrister. The feedback I have received from my clients is superb. He is really prepared and knows every inch of the notes and expert evidence.”

Inquests & Public Inquiries, Chambers and Partners 2023

"Patrick has a huge amount of empathy and sincerity while delivering difficult advice on extremely sensitive cases. He has a forensic eye to detail and an impressive questioning skill that he uses with medical experts to put them at ease but at the same time ensuring they fully address all the medico-legal aspects. Clients have nothing but praise for him in relation to the emotional support he offers them at inquest; and his questioning of the clinicians at Inquest is extremely effective."

Inquests and Inquiries, Legal 500 2023

"Patrick is one of the leading barristers in the country dealing with child abuse litigation. He is completely on top of the complex developing areas of law."

Personal Injury, Industrial Disease and Insurance Fraud, Legal 500 2023

"Excellent knowledge of the law in complex child abuse cases - he is brilliant with vulnerable clients and sensitive to their needs."

Personal injury, Legal 500 2022

"Patrick gains an accurate understanding of complex and voluminous case material in the inquiry, handles the material with care and sensitivity, and approaches witnesses, taking them through their evidence, in the same way."

Inquests & inquiries, Legal 500 2022

"Fantastic with both lay clients and expert witnesses – a true expert in the field."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2021

"Has a brilliant understanding of the effect of trauma on clients, and a kind and courteous manner."

Inquests & Public Inquiries, Legal 500 2021

"He's excellent – he has really good client care skills and is very astute and calm under pressure."

Inquests & Public Inquiries, Chambers & Partners 2020

"He's not only knowledgeable but also very responsive as well."

Inquests & Public Inquiries, Chambers & Partners 2020

"He is an expert in his field especially child abuse litigation."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2020

"Regularly instructed as counsel to major public inquiries and investigations. He is also sought after to represent bereaved families in sensitive inquests into deaths in hospitals and care homes."

Inquests & Public Inquiries, Chambers & Partners 2020

"He's held in very high esteem for his work and his ability to marshal a vast amount of material and make it manageable and effective in oral hearings."

Inquests & Public Inquiries, Chambers & Partners 2020

"He's very thorough, sympathetic and smart."

Inquests & Public Inquiries, Chambers & Partners 2020

"He was really good with vulnerable witnesses and great on his feet."

Inquests & Public Inquiries, Chambers & Partners 2020

"His strengths are dealing with clients and medical experts."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2019

"He is able to work his way through very difficult causation cases."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2017

"He is well-known for his knowledge in cases involving psychiatric injuries."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2016

"Patrick has an eye for detail which is crucial on liability issues in stillbirth and neonatal death cases. I have been nothing but impressed with the sensitive way he deals with clients, whilst confidently advising and guiding them through the litigation process."

Claire Stoneman, Partner, Foot Anstey LLP

"Superb with clients even in the most hostile of situations, and he really comes into his own at trial."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2015

"Very highly regarded for tackling difficult medical expert reports."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2014

"A sharp mind and tactical nous."

Personal Injury, Legal 500 2012

"A rare talent."

Legal 500 2010

To find out more, contact Paul Barton on +44 (0)20 7427 4907 or Chris Rowe on +44 (0)20 7427 4911 for a confidential discussion.

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