Health & Safety

Representative cases

• Grenfell Tower Inquiry (2017 to present)

  In an unprecedented statement of market confidence in our team, 16 members are currently instructed for the Inquiry or on behalf of Core Participants in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

• ESRFS v St Michael’s Hospice [2019] EWCA 161

  Defence of hospice following arson by a patient and deaths of three other patients. Appeal against sentence a key Court of Appeal guideline on fire safety.

• HSE v John Henry and Sons [2019] EWCA Crim 30

  Appeal against sentence arising from collapse of engineering works on ground  workers. Appeal against sentence a key Court of Appeal guideline on the sentencing of large medium and large corporates.

• Maritime Coast Guard v PLA and 3 others (2019)

  Defence of the Port of London Authority arising from the accidental running over of a tugboat by a barge and death of crew. 7 experts. Obscure maritime law. Unique complexity and sensitivity.

  Link to news item here.

• British Cycling Trial (2018)

  Represented British Cycling and the Event Organiser in the first prosecution of its kind brought against a sporting governing body for alleged health and safety breaches following a fatal accident at a downhill mountain bike event where a spectator was killed. Both found not guilty by a jury following a 5 week trial.

  Link to news item and press coverage here.

• R v Paramount and eReco (2018)

  Prosecution arising from a massive explosion at a plant for recycling toner cartridges, which led to multiple injuries. Separately representing each Defendant. the inquest concluded with a conclusion of accidental death.

  Link to press coverage here

• ORR v Network Rail (2018)

  Acted for Network Rail in a 3-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court following an incident in which one of its signallers was seriously injured operating a gated level crossing.

  Link to press coverage here.

• HSE v Haynes Park Science of the Soul (2018)

  HSE prosecution arising out of a fatal accident suffered by a volunteer at a spiritual charity.

  Link to press coverage here

• HSE Judicial Review

  HSE Judicial Review

  Successfully represented the Health and Safety Executive (the HSE) in a judicial review challenge to a decision that the HSE was entitled to take into account proprietary research data belonging to one manufacturer (constituting testing of veterbrates) in deciding whether any applicant manufacturers of slug pellets should have regulatory authorisation

• R v Foodles (2017)

  Sentencing Guidelines.

  Instructed in a high-profile health and safety prosecution arising out of the injuries suffered by Harrison Ford while filming ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, when he was struck by a fast-closing door on a set constructed to appear as the Millennium Falcon.