Burges Salmon LLP‘s ‘excellent reputation‘ in the health and safety sphere stems from a sizeable and highly regarded team with ‘strength across the board from partner to trainee level‘. The firm is particularly well known for its work in the rail sector; the arrival of senior associate Ben Davies from the Office of Rail and Road in May 2022 further highlighted the group’s commitment in this field. Ann Metherall heads up the practice, as well as overseeing the firm’s disputes offering. Charlotte Whitaker, who was promoted to partner in May 2023, has particular expertise in handling multi-fatality incidents, another area of expertise for the department. Senior associate Sam Aldous ‘embeds himself in every case he does‘.
Health and safety in South West
Burges Salmon LLP
Praxisleiter:
Ann Metherall
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Chris Jackson; Guy Bastable; Charlotte Whitaker; Sam Aldous; Ben Davies
Referenzen
‘Hugely efficient and experienced team, with strength across the board from partner to trainee level. A go-to firm.’
‘Ann Metherall – brilliant brain, great judgment, complete commitment. Charlotte Whitaker – excellent, superb at managing a case and identifying key strengths and weaknesses.’
‘Charlotte Whitaker always has both a great rapport with her client and an eagle eye for the detail. Guy Bastable is the original health and safety lawyer, never misses a trick and knows the law inside out.’
Kernmandanten
The Crown Estate
FirstGroup PLC
John Lewis Partnership plc
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting for a transport operator, following a multi-fatality accident, during investigations by the police, safety regulator and coroner.
- Representing a recycling operator during an HSE investigation following a fatal accident at its site.
- Acting for an energy company in relation to a multi-fatality incident during investigations by the police, safety regulator and coroner.
DAC Beachcroft LLP
With expertise spanning the construction, real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, leisure, transport and utilities sectors, DAC Beachcroft LLP is regularly instructed to handle the gamut of health and safety cases, including those with an environmental element. The team is also noted for its non-contentious strength, and typically leverages the firm’s breadth to provide cross-departmental regulatory advice. Chris Baranowski oversees the national practice from the Leeds office, with Richard Ottley taking the helm in Bristol. In January 2023, the group benefitted from the arrival of legal director Peter James, formerly of Clyde & Co.
Praxisleiter:
Richard Ottley; Chris Baranowski
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Neil Scott; Peter James
Referenzen
‘The team is ahead of the curve, pre-empting potential issues that may arise, and providing solid and useful advice to protect clients, in a situation where they may feel pressured by the external investigations ongoing.’
‘Richard Ottley – a fantastic and personal service is always offered and the way he approaches clients is always perfect and always what is needed in the circumstances.’
Kernmandanten
Somerset County Council
Covea Insurance
Royal Mail
Unite
Keepmoat
Zurich
NFU Mutual
Network Rail
Asda
AXA
Aviva
Chubb
RSA
QBE
Osborne Clarke LLP
At Osborne Clarke LLP, ‘the team is never phased‘; the practice is wide-ranging, but is particularly well known for its inquests and inquiries, internal investigations, crisis management and cross-border expertise. Recently, the group has seen a marked increase in building and fire safety work, for which it has also long been highly regarded. Practice head Mary Lawrence is most frequently instructed by notable clients from the media and entertainment sector. The team fields a number of regulatory crime experts, including Matthew Kyle and senior associate Georgia Lythgoe.
Praxisleiter:
Mary Lawrence
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Matthew Kyle; Georgia Lythgoe; Reshma Adkin; Matthew Vernon
Referenzen
‘The team are really friendly, knowledgeable about our business and really approachable. We sometimes bring up issues that are very production specific and left-field; the team is never phased and offer professional and timely advice.’
‘I work most closely with Mary Lawrence. She is wonderful. Approachable, knowledgeable and professional.’
‘Understanding of our context, curiosity and partnership approach.’
Kernmandanten
Netflix
ITV
Amazon Studios
Danone
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Lifestory
RWE
Barratt Homes
Greystar
TLT
TLT‘s specialised team is particularly valued for its expertise in the leisure, food and drink, clean energy, real estate and retail spheres. Kerry Gwyther heads up the firm’s national commercial regulatory practice, regularly assisting with compliance issues and handling investigations. Solicitor advocate Duncan Reed is the name to note for contentious work, and is noted for his ‘innate understanding of the client‘. In December 2022, the arrival of Nicola Mead-Batten from Capital Law Limited further strengthened the group’s capabilities in the public sector.
Praxisleiter:
Kerry Gwyther
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Duncan Reed; Nicola Mead-Batten; Richard Collie
Referenzen
‘Duncan Reed is calm and measured with a sense of humour. He has an innate understanding of the client (and makes the effort to get to know the client) and provides clear, practical advice on complex matters. Follow-up is also always good.’
Kernmandanten
Iceland Foods
JD Sports Plc
Keolis Amey Metrolink
Greene King Plc
Sports Ground Safety Authority
Department of Health and Social Care
Punch Taverns PLC
Iceland Manufacturing
British Solar Renewables
Southern Water
Manchester Airport Group
Argos Limited
G. Network Communications Limited
Bendpak Inc.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising Greene King on various health and safety and regulatory matters, including food safety and hygiene, gas and electrical safety, anti-social behaviour, noise, statutory compliance testing, and Equality Act compliance.
- Advising the Sports Ground Safety Authority on the implementation of the government’s safe seating policy, including advising on the lawfulness of various methods of enforcement, the development of a compliant enforcement policy, and the lawfulness of the client producing guidance and research linked to its statutory functions.
- Advising Punch Taverns on various ongoing compliance issues arising in relation to health and safety.
Ashfords LLP
Ashfords LLP is instructed by clients of all sizes, including multinational food production companies, national water providers, public authorities, and regional healthcare trusts. Representation at inquests following fatal injuries or care-related suicides, crisis management, and advice in relation to building and fire safety regulations are all particular areas of strength. Ian Manners heads up the practice. Lara Moore, who leads the marine and transport department, brings her expertise in port and harbour-related work to the team.
Praxisleiter:
Ian Manners; Lara Moore
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Zoe Hunt
Kernmandanten
Cappagh Public Works Ltd
Noble Foods
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Cornish Mutual Insurance and Educating Safely LLP
EHSL Supported Housing
Farm Partnership / Cornish Mutual
Cattewater Harbour Commissioners
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing a London-based recycling company in a HSE investigation into a serious accident at a material recovery facility.
- Representing an NHS Trust in a regulatory investigation into a serious incident following a fall from height on the trust estate by a patient.
- Providing crisis management advice and ongoing representation to a farming partnership in relation to a police and HSE investigation into a fatal accident on Dartmoor.
Browne Jacobson LLP
With a client base spanning both the private and public sectors, Browne Jacobson LLP is well placed to handle the gamut of issues stemming from fatal and non-fatal accidents, as well as advising on health and safety matters arising from food handling, environmental factors, and road traffic work. ‘Ultimate leader‘ Andrew Hopkin oversees the national practice from the Nottingham office, while ‘in the South West the flag is carried to excellent effect‘ by Exeter-based Dale Collins and Nigel Lyons. Solicitor-advocate Collins brings 10 years’ experience as a prosecutor for HSE to the team, and Lyons leverages his criminal law background to act in contentious regulatory mandates.
Praxisleiter:
Andrew Hopkin
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Dale Collins; Nigel Lyons
Referenzen
‘Extensive involvement in all aspects of cases across the board provides confidence in their knowledge and expertise so that nothing is missed. Broad range of expertise which remains undiluted.’
‘A personal approach by appropriately qualified lawyers ensures ownership of cases leading to detailed, pragmatic, sensible and legally sound advice; fully explained and crystal clear. This allows for focused decision-making through the progress of a case. All carried out with a personable and empathetic attitude to the client and their position.’
‘Dale Collins has an encyclopaedic knowledge which he deploys with tactically astute skill. A personable approach ensuring the client is ‘listened to’ and their case heard as they desire it to be. Hard working. Always on top of his brief. Approachable, sensible and a skilled advocate. Top drawer performer.’
Kernmandanten
Classic Builders (South West) Ltd
Cornwall Council
Foot Anstey
The wide-ranging practice at Foot Anstey spans strategic and operational advice, support with investigations and enforcement actions, and defence against prosecutions initiated by the HSE and local authorities. Nathan Peacey leads on the regulatory side, and has extensive experience assisting with risk management, compliance and corporate governance matters. ‘Superb‘ legal director Tim Williamson is the key contact for contentious work, and is instructed by clients from the gamut of sectors to represent them in criminal and civil cases.
Praxisleiter:
Nathan Peacey
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Tim Williamson
Referenzen
‘I can say that Foot Anstey keep you very well informed with progress and give you great confidence that they will achieve what you need them to. Over the years we have used a number of law firms for our prosecutions and by far Foot Anstey has been the easiest to deal with and, at times, overdelivered, making sure of a successful outcome.’
‘Tim Williamson is exceptional when dealing with prosecution matters for the Statutory Harbour Authority. He is very quick to respond to questions and has a 100% success rate for prosecutions.’
‘Foot Anstey provide practical advice which is value for money.’
Kernmandanten
Port of London Authority
Poole Harbour Commissioners
Signet Trading (H Samuel)
RPC
RPC‘s ‘strength and depth allows the team to effectively offer a seamless service‘ which spans both the contentious and regulatory sides. The group regularly deals with fatal cases, including gross negligence and corporate manslaughter investigations. Gavin Reese and Fiona Hahlo are the key contacts; the former is singled out by one client as a ‘perfect practitioner‘, while the latter, who made partner in May 2022, is described as ‘a terrific asset in every case in which she is instructed‘.
Praxisleiter:
Gavin Reese; Fiona Hahlo
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Steven Aitken
Referenzen
‘RPC has a very strong health and safety team with huge experience in representing both individuals and companies facing serious health and safety prosecutions.’
‘Their strength and depth allows the team to effectively offer a seamless service covering regulatory prosecutions, civil claims and inquests.’
‘Gavin Reese is the perfect practitioner. Outstanding judgment and tactical acumen, allied with a forensic eye for detail, always ensures great results.’
Kernmandanten
AXA XL
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented the director of a structural engineering company in a prosecution for health and safety offences following a fatality resulting from a wall collapse.
- Acted for a window frame manufacturer following an accident on a construction site which led to an employee being very seriously injured.
Bevan Brittan LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP‘s expertise spans both non-contentious advice and representation in proceedings, with the team acting equally comfortably for local authorities prosecuting, and for private and public sector organisations defending. Practice head Adam Kendall, who oversees the offering from the Birmingham office, ‘approaches his cases in an intelligent and analytical way‘. In April 2022, the firm gained legal director Louise Mansfield from Pinsent Masons LLP; operating nationally, she expertly handles the gamut of criminal regulatory matters. In Bristol, Hannah Taylor and Carlton Sadler are the key senior contacts.
Praxisleiter:
Adam Kendall
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Hannah Taylor; Carlton Sadler; Louise Mansfield
Referenzen
‘Adam Kendall is an excellent practitioner. He brings his commercial nous into the sector and approaches his cases in an intelligent and analytical way. His client care is excellent and is suitably tough in dealing with the regulator. Always gives clients good, practical advice. Fights winnable cases hard and will compromise where necessary.’
‘Highly professional, engaging and knowledgeable team with a good insight into the housing sector.’
‘Adam Kendall and Louise Mansfield have supported us for a number of years and grown a deep understanding of our needs within our sector and how they can assist and advise on matters raised.’
Kernmandanten
Reading Borough Council
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented Reading Borough Council in the health and safety prosecution of multiple defendants, including a major retailer, following the death of a young child in a store.
Lester Aldridge LLP
Following the departure of Michael Veal to take up a judicial role in January 2023, the offering at Lester Aldridge LLP has been under the leadership of Laura Guntrip, who oversees both the healthcare team, and the regulatory and business crime department; her area of niche expertise lies in social care, including advising on matters relating to the safety of people in receipt of care services. The team is differentiated by its equal balance between prosecution and defence work.
Praxisleiter:
Laura Guntrip
Kernmandanten
Health & Safety Executive
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Hampshire County Council
CK IT Solutions Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing the Health and Safety Executive in the prosecution of Ensure Asbestos Management following work to asbestos on a construction site.
- Defending an IT sector company and its director in a prosecution concerning the safety of electrical accessories.
- Representing a care home operator in relation to the death of a care home resident who fell from a window and died, including representation at the inquest and in the subsequent criminal investigation by the Care Quality Commission.
Michelmores LLP
Helmed by Andrew Oldland KC, an experienced advocate who has previously held a number of senior regulatory and prosecution posts, the team at Michelmores LLP has notable experience when it comes contentious health and safety mandates. Fatality and serious injury cases in the workplace are a particular area of strength, as is marine safety. Jayne Clemens and associate Scott Love complete the roster of key names.
Praxisleiter:
Andrew Oldland KC
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jayne Clemens; Scott Love
Kernmandanten
Clinton Devon Estates
W Stevenson & Sons Ltd
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented Clinton Devon Estates in a HSE investigation into a fatal accident on one of its farms, and acted in the successful defence of the client on charges of corporate manslaughter and health and safety offences following a five-week trial at Exeter Crown Court.
- Representing W Stevenson & Son in investigations by the police, HSE, MCA and MAIB into two separate incidents where fatalities occurred.