Cécile Burgess

'Cécile Burgess is a standout star in the product liability field. She combines a fine intellect with strong commercial instincts. She's superb to work with.’ - Legal 500 (2024)

Partner, Co-head of Consumer, Head of Product Safety & Disputes
London, UK

Expertise

Cécile Burgess is a Product Litigation Partner in AG's London Commercial Disputes team, where she heads up the Product Safety and Product Disputes practice. Cécile has over 11 years' experience of acting for global product manufacturers in relation to product liability claims and risk management. Cécile focuses on Life Sciences (pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and medical devices), and also has extensive experience of the Automotive and Retail & Consumer sectors. She acts on a wide variety of disputes, including both contractual and tortious claims, and has a strong record of handling high profile product liability group actions in both single defendant and multiple defendant claims.

In addition to her litigation and dispute resolution work, Cécile advises on regulatory, product safety and compliance issues, including complex cross-border product recalls and safety incidents. She regularly supports clients on emerging product risks and governance issues affecting product manufacturers, most recently in relation to ultra-processed foods (UPFs), PFAS and other chemical risks, evolving battery regulation and AI-enabled technologies.

Cécile is a dual qualified Solicitor of England & Wales and French lawyer, with first-hand experience of the interaction between the French and English civil litigation systems.

Experience

Cécile's recent experience includes:

Acting for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), defending over 100 claims brought against GSK in the English High Court under a GLO in respect of the use of GSK's antidepressant Seroxat. Obtained victory for GSK, along with an award for costs, in part on an indemnity basis.
Advising on complex emergency vaccine-related injury claims for public sector and life sciences clients, including strategic handling of sensitive, high-profile multiparty litigation.
Acting for a leading global pharmaceutical CDMO on complex commercial and product liability disputes, most recently advising on the negotiated exit of a major long‑term auto‑injector development and supply agreement.
Acting for 70 past and present BMW/MINI authorised dealerships in the defence of diesel emissions group claims being brought on behalf of over 168,000 potential claimants.
Acting for a manufacturer of electronic component parts, defending a multi-million pound product liability TCC claim brought against it by a number of claimants, in relation to the supply of allegedly defective components supplied and used in airbag control units sold to third party OEMs.
Advising a leading automotive manufacturer on a substantial portfolio of product liability and consumer claims, including fire incidents linked to electric vehicle battery modules.
Supporting a global automotive business on a board-level, multi-jurisdictional regulatory review of electric battery activities across the full product lifecycle, from design and manufacture to transport, recycling, disposal and compliance systems.
Managing complex consumer product safety incidents and recalls, most recently advising major UK brands on end‑to‑end response strategies for asbestos contamination in children’s products and cadmium breaches in jewellery lines, including regulatory engagement and coordinated stakeholder communications.

Publications

"COVID-19 and Vaccine Development: Navigating the UK Regulatory Landscape and Beyond", Product Liability Laws and Regulations 2021, International Comparative Legal Guide
Drugs & Medical Device Litigation 2021, England & Wales, International Comparative Legal Guide
"Medicinal Cannabis and CBD Products – Navigating the UK Regulatory Landscape", Product Liability 2020, International Comparative Legal Guide
Drugs & Medical Device Litigation 2020, England & Wales, International Comparative Legal Guide

Languages

French (native)
English (fluent)

Professional Memberships

International Consumer Product Health & Safety Organisation
Product Liability Forum, British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Testimonials

Cécile is a force to be reckoned with - I'd always rather have her on my side than be against her. She is also incredibly organised and plans cases meticulously. - Product Liability: Mainly Defendant: Chambers UK 2026
Cécile Burgess is head and shoulders above her peers. In addition to a razor-sharp litigation sense, she’s superbly practical and an exemplary team player. - Product Liability: Defendant: Legal 500 UK 2025
Cécile Burgess is incredibly smart and detail-orientated in her work. Excellent across all technical issues and has great client management skills as well. Collaborative and great to work with. - Product Liability: Defendant: Legal 500 UK 2025
Cécile Burgess is a formidable head of the product liability team. Cool under pressure and experienced in all aspects of product liability work. - Product Liability: Defendant: Legal 500 UK 2025
Cecile is an excellent and responsive partner to the business and provides invaluable assistance when we need it. She is hugely impressive. - Product Liability: Mainly Defendant: Chambers UK 2026
Cécile Burgess is excellent – very knowledgeable and good with clients. - Life Sciences: Product Liability: Chambers UK 2026
Cécile is a real product liability expert. She's phenomenally organised and is an absolute machine. -Product Liability: Mainly Defendant: Chambers UK 2024
Cecile Burgess is a superb lawyer, great tactical skill and is superb to work with. - Product Liability: Defendant: Legal 500 UK 2023
Exceptionally bright and dedicated to her clients' interests, with deep experience in product liability litigation and product safety work, including recalls. - Product Liability: Defendant: Legal 500 UK 2022

NEW for 2020: ICLG – Drug & Medical Device Litigation

Louisa Caswell, Mark Chesher, and Cécile Burgess, all three litigators at AG, recently contributed the England & Wales chapter to the first edition of the International Comparative Legal Guide – Drug & Medical Device Litigation.

Drawing on their extensive experience and knowledge of product liability and safety issues in the Life Sciences sector, Louisa, Mark and Cécile provide insight into litigation considerations critical to the industry in the UK, including from a regulatory and commercial perspective.

Read the article