Health & Safety

Members specialise in all areas of Health & Safety Law, representing enforcement agencies, individuals, companies, and partnerships.

The work involves investigations by the HSE, local authorities and the CPS. We have particular expertise in advising both prosecuting agencies and prospective defendants prior to the charging decision and, in respect of those potentially the subject of prosecution, advising prior to interview with investigating authorities and the police.

We regularly conduct trials in the Magistrate’s Court and the Crown Court dealing with health and safety and regulatory breaches including offences of manslaughter. The majority of cases involve catastrophic events, including deaths in care homes and hospitals, on construction sites, and in ports. We have extensive experience in cases involving Legionella, heavy plant, agricultural machinery, farming, explosive substances and children injured in schools.

Inquests have become an integral part of the investigative process, particularly in matters of health and safety. Advice at this stage is often determinative of decisions to prosecute and, if so, on what basis. We are frequently instructed to attend such hearings and have the breadth of experience to understand the consequences of particular advice at that stage. Such attendance is also of particular significance as inquests often predate interviews under caution about which we are also fully able to advise.

Public Access

Some members of the team are also available to act, where appropriate, for members of the public, as well as commercial and non-commercial organisations, under the Public Access scheme. Read more.

Training

The team delivers workshops and seminars in Chambers and regional centres. We also provide training on behalf of local Law Societies and in conjunction with firms of solicitors and also councils. We can also provide tailored in-house training for particular firms. If you would like any further information please contact Paul Nuttall 0117 923 4742 or email: [email protected].