Industrial Disease
Rory has a broad ID practice and deals with a variety of work-related conditions.
He has experience of matters relating to asbestos-related disease, occupational asthma, HAVS, WRULD, COSHH, and NIHL.
He advises on all aspects of litigation including limitation, liability, and quantum, either at conference or in writing. He appears at show cause hearings, CCMCs and at Trial. His cases regularly involve the drafting of detailed schedules and counter schedules of loss. He delivers seminars on a range of topics. He has experience of working in-house and on secondment to assist with drafting statements of case.
He is instructed by several of the major insurers on a repeat basis and also regularly carries out work for various Local Authorities.
Examples of Rory’s work include:
- J v BP (2022) – Living mesothelioma claim where unorthodox claim for loss of services raised. Claim settled shortly before Trial.
- M v F (2022) – Fatal silicosis claim involving s.33 point where previous claim under Pneumoconiosis Worker’s Compensation Act Scheme previously made.
- T v O (2020) – Acting for a manufacturer faced with various occupational asthma claims which involved complex issues of medical causation.
- D v N & N (2020) – Acting for a Local Authority in respect of allegations of asbestos exposure whilst non-employees worked at housing estates.
- H v DA (2019) – Acting for a manufacturer whose processes allegedly gave rise to occupational asthma.
- L v S2 & F & T (2019) & others – Acting for a defendant in a NIHL claim.
- F v S& P (2018) – Acting for co-Defendants in a HAVS claim.
- B v RNT (2017) – Acting for a defendant in a stress at work claim following alleged racial harassment in the workplace, which overlapped with previous employment tribunal proceedings.
Selected Cases
View full profile »Awards
- Erasmus Scholar (2005)
- St John’s College Cambridge, McMahon Post-graduate law scholarship (2007, 2008)
- Middle Temple Lord Diplock Scholar (2008)
- Pegasus Scholar (Singapore) (2013)
Articles
- Rory Holmes’ observations on the recent COA judgment in Griffiths v TUI
- Case note on Cameron v Liverpool Victoria Insurance Co Ltd
News
- Rory Holmes obtains strike out/summary judgment of workplace assault claim
- Habib Khan (Respondent) v General Pharmaceutical Council (Appellant) (Scotland)
Qualifications
- Modern and Medieval Languages BA (Hons) (Cantab) (2003-2007)
- La Universidad de Complutense, Madrid (2004-2005)
- GDL (City University) (2007-2008)
- BVC (City University) (2008-2009)
- BVC-LLM (City University) (2010)
- MA (Cantab) (2010)
Before coming to the Bar, Rory read Modern and Medieval Languages at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and at La Universidad de Complutense, Madrid.
In 2013 Rory was seconded to the commercial department of Rajah & Tann, Singapore, as a Pegasus Scholar.
Languages
Spanish and French.
Memberships
- PIBA
Recommendations
“Rory is very forensic in his approach and his attention to detail is excellent. He knows the cases inside out and can identify the key issues in a case.”… “He is excellent in court and quick at turning things around.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Rory is always calm, collected and highly effective. He is a brilliant advocate and a joy to watch when on his feet.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Rory is a pleasure to deal with. He is excellent with clients and he always goes the extra mile.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“Rory is always up for the challenge of taking on technically complex procedural arguments.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“Rory is very capable and exceptional on his feet.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“Rory is unflappable and provides clear and concise advice at all times.”
Legal 500, 2023
“A soft-spoken but robust advocate, who is very good at drawing out technical legal points from complex cases and is very reliable too.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“He has a first-rate mind, pays great attention to detail and produces first-rate drafting. He is in a class of his own when it comes to difficult multiparty negotiations.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
