Peter Hodson

Practice

Occupational diseases and injuries (Personal Injury)

Concentrates on claimant matters involving occupational injuries and diseases and has a particular interest in claims arising from asbestos exposure, post-traumatic stress and accidents suffered in the course of employment including those relating to Health & Safety at work. Undertakes work throughout England & Wales and has a wealth of experience in running and quaitifying claims.

Other Personal Injury

Experienced in a wide range of cases arising from occupiers liabilities and defective premises, road and other traffic accidents, product liability, catastrophic and fatal accident claims and assessment of damages and infant settlement.

Criminal law

Full range of criminal defence work, including offences against the person, kidnap and false imprisonment, offences under the Theft Acts, fraud, large scale public order offences, drugs offences and car crime including death by dangerous driving. Has been junior counsel in attempted murder, kidnap and conspiracy to supply drugs cases. Experienced before District and General Courts Martial on behalf of those subject to Military Law.

Other areas of work

Professional and clinical negligence, including cases arising out of the alleged negligence of solicitors. Also undertakes work involving employer's liability, occupier's liability and highways.

Notable cases

Rolls Royce Industrial Power (India) Ltd v Cox [2007] EWCA Civ 1189 (mesothelioma; minimum duration of exposure to asbestos) > judgment , news item

R v Rush [2007] (conspiracy to import drugs)

Appeared for Javaherifard in Javaherifard and Miller, described by Blackstones Criminal Practice 2006 as "a leading case on the construction of s. 25 of the Immigration Act 1971" (2005)

Recent cases include significant damages awarded in the cases of Openshaw v British Coal (2002) and Jackson v British Coal (2003) - PTSD claims against British Coal following a mining disaster.

Barber v Barrow, Nottingham and Exeter Councils is believed to be the first case where substantial damages were recovered on behalf of the estate of a Building Control Officer exposed to asbestos in the course of his duties and sets date of knowledge in respect of building control officers.

Wright and others v British Coal and UK Coal in which Peter appeared as Junior Counsel on behalf of a series of claimants seeking damages for non-disabling pneumoconiosis against British Coal and UK Coal.

Other Activities

Teaches a range of skills including Advocacy and Professional Conduct on the Bar Vocational Course at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Registered Pupil supervisor

Professional Associations

Association of Personal Injuries Lawyers

Personal Injury Bar Association

Background and personal profile

Before being called to the Bar, worked as a Welfare Rights Officer for Newcastle City Council.