Biography
I was the head of Irwin Mitchell's International Travel Litigation Group for 23 years, since it was founded in 1997 until 2020. During that time, the team and I successfully represented many thousands of clients with illness or injury claims arising in virtually every part of the world. I now support the team as a consultant.
I've acted in a number of cases involving record awards of damages for my clients, and I've been fortunate enough to act in a number of precedent setting legal decisions. I specialise in high-value claims including fatal accidents and acting for clients who've suffered severe brain or spinal injury.
I've also represented thousands of UK and foreign victims in around 200 group actions in the UK and overseas. This includes group claims arising from:
- Several aviation and maritime disasters
- Around 20 separate coach crashes
- A number of terrorist incidents (including the Manchester city centre bombing and 9/11)
- Many group action illness claims, including outbreaks of legionnaire disease, E-coli and salmonella.
In August 2019, I was presented with the Tom Henderson Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Association of Justice (AAJ).
Testimonials
“Clive Garner is an exceptional lawyer who really cares for the well-being of his clients. He simply is excellent, passionate and trustworthy, and is well connected to litigation lawyers around the world. No case is too difficult for him.” - Legal 500 2022 (Leading Individual and Hall of Fame)
"Extremely knowledgeable, especially when it comes to international law, and he strives to get the best results for the clients even in very complicated cases. He is effective in his representation of clients." - Chambers & Partners 2022 (Senior Statesperson)
"The king of cross-border litigators is Clive Garner... He won the most difficult cases for his often severely injured clients and he really cares about them." – Legal 500, 2021 (Leading Individual)
"He is very knowledgeable and can communicate very complex situations very clearly in an understandable way... He knows the law inside out and does not rest until he secures the best results for his clients." – Chambers & Partners, 2021 ( Leading Individual – Band 1)
"Since I met Clive Garner and Jennifer Lund I only received support, empathy and an astonishing display of professionalism and bravery as they dealt with such a convoluted case. They were always on top of every little detail of the process and make sure that I was following along with them.
"They were never short of long phone calls and emails to provide endless explanations and all the information possible available to me, which it turn out to be the only way that I could have survived all these years. I really would like to emphasise that besides all the knowledgeable and capable people that I met, it is their remarkable kindness that makes the real difference. Once they accept you and help you during these hard times in your life, I can reassure you that you will be in best hands possible." - 5* Trustpilot review
"He is 'able to pursue claims worldwide and he is caring and empathetic towards his often severely injured clients' and 'he is an encyclopedia of international travel law." – Chambers & Partners, 2020
"Clive Garner has the crucial ability to analyse complex, technical legal material and effectively and successfully argues difficult, high value cases. He gives regularly achieves amazing results for his clients." – Legal 500, 2020
"Clive Garner brings his deep understanding of the global aviation industry to bear in addressing legal issues involved in making compensation claims. He is a strategic thinker with a clear focus on achieving the best result for his clients within the shortest possible time." – Chambers & Partners, 2019
"The godfather of travel" and "a colossus of claimant personal injury work", Clive is "very knowledgeable, and the interests of his clients are always at his heart." – Chambers & Partners, 2017
"A senior lawyer with extraordinary skills" and clients appreciate that he is "very familiar with cross-border cases; he knows the EU and US jurisdictions like the back of his hand." – Chambers & Partners 2016
Has "a well-deserved and leading reputation as one of the foremost international personal injury lawyers in the country". – Legal 500, 2018/19
A "lateral thinker and solves problems through an indirect and creative approach’; he ‘knows international and supranational law like the back of his hand’". He has "extremely good strength in depth that few others match" and "has a well-deserved and leading reputation as one of the foremost lawyers in this area" – Legal 500, 2017
Clive Garner is a "game changer, who knows foreign and international law like the back of his hand" and "always aims to get the best possible result for his clients" – Legal 500 2015
Publications
- Author of the Travel Law chapter of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers' Guide, "Personal Injury Law, Practice and Precedents"
- Contributor to and Co-Editor of “Personal Injury Compensation In Europe", and “Fatal Accidents and Secondary Victims"
- Author of a number of published articles in England and the USA on a range of topics relating to claiming damages following personal injury or death
What Inspired You To Get Into Law?
My father was very seriously injured in a road traffic accident when I was a young boy. His life and the lives of every member of my family were radically changed overnight and were never the same again. I went into the law to help people who had been through similar experiences.
What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role?
I am very lucky, as a lot of my clients have been truly incredible people and have been a real inspiration to me. The most rewarding part of my role is achieving the best results possible for all of my clients and helping them get their lives back on track.
What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?
I have been a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell for nearly 20 years now and I never cease to be amazed by the fantastic results that my Partners and colleagues achieve for their clients every single day. I am very proud to be a partner in a firm where I am surrounded by so many exceptionally talented and dedicated lawyers.
What Do You Do Away From The Office?
I probably don't do enough out of the office but I try and keep relatively fit and enjoy music, cinema and travel.
