Firms To Watch: Health and safety

Harrison Clark Rickerbys‘ insurance risk and regulatory team is experienced in handling health and safety investigations, acting for both corporate bodies and individual directors and officers. Kate Oliver is a key name to note.

Health and safety in West Midlands

DAC Beachcroft LLP

DAC Beachcroft LLP‘s safety, health, and environmental regulatory team continues to advise clients involved in significant manslaughter, health and safety, and environmental cases, with industry expertise that spans the construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and transport spaces. The Birmingham team handles a range of matters from manslaughter investigations, prosecutions, environmental investigations, as well as food safety and inquests. Steven Harrison leads the Birmingham team, with significant experience handling all aspects of regulatory investigations and prosecutions, and a background in defendant personal injury work; Harrison is well placed to advise on both civil and criminal aspects of the cases he is involved with. Further support in this area comes from Rebecca Dart.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Steven Harrison; Rebecca Dart


Referenzen

‘In the heart of the West Midlands and also at the centre of the big cases for this area. It has strength in depth and has a wealth of experience.’

‘Steven Harrison is now a go-to person for the most serious cases in his area.‘

‚Steven Harrison is that rare kind of solicitor, understanding with his client, but ruthless with the regulator.’

Kernmandanten

TCG Logistics


Unity Homes Limited


Kingsland Drinks Limited


Hi-Tec Washrooms Solutions Limited


Drainwizards


Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG‘s regulatory crime team understands and is immersed in key sectors including the construction, quarrying, and manufacturing spaces, as well as food and healthcare industries. The team has strong capabilities in handling investigations by both the police and HSE, with regard to serious offences such as corporate manslaughter, and resultingly the team is well-versed in managing adverse press coverage and maintaining clients’ reputations. Andrew Litchfield leads the Birmingham team with wide experience of regulatory investigations, while Michael Hafen and Natalie Barton-Howes bolster the strength of the team.

Praxisleiter:

Andrew Litchfield


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Michael Hafen; Natalie Barton-Howes


Referenzen

‚Andrew Litchfield and Natalie Barton-Howes are experts in their fields. They work hard to understand our business to ensure we get the right legal advice. Highly recommended.‘

‚Andrew Litchfield – provides calm and reassurance in emergency scenarios – solid practical advice and guidance.‘

‚Michael Hafen – understands the culture of the client and provides sound advice and reassurance in that context.‘

Kernmandanten

Kingspan Insulation Ltd


Bakkavor Foods Ltd


Bloor Homes Ltd


The Channel Tunnel Group/Eurotunnel


Sanctuary Housing Association


Hydraquip Hoses and Hydraulics Limited


Midland Heart


The Arch Company Limited


Waythrough


Starbucks EMEA Ltd


Pinsent Masons LLP

The health and safety and regulatory risk advisory team at Pinsent Masons LLP has considerable experience advising clients in the construction, manufacturing, transport, and waste industries. Alongside contentious work, the team also offers non-contentious advisory assistance, including compliance advice and training courses. Furthermore, the practice demonstrates expertise in marine safety matters, acting for energy clients, offshore drilling contractors, and marine insurers. Sean Elson leads the Birmingham team, specialising in corporate regulatory affairs. Elson’s experience as a criminal advocate provides an understanding of the criminal courts and rules of evidence in regulatory matters.

Praxisleiter:

Sean Elson


Referenzen

‚Very good knowledge of the regulatory arena and our sector, good support in emergencies.’

‘Sean Elson and his team are very knowledgeable but take a very pragmatic approach.’

‘Sean Elson and the team at Pinsent Masons navigate this complex area of law with calmness, pragmatism and commerciality, which in turn gives me as a client genuine confidence.’

Kernmandanten

Balfour Beatty plc


Renew PLC


Clarion Housing Group


Shoosmiths LLP

Shoosmiths LLP‘s business crime and compliance team remains a reliable firm for corporates and senior leaders involved in serious cases involving fatalities, manslaughter, and major accidents; the group is also well-regarded for its crisis management expertise and understanding of adverse press and reputational risk. The team continues to provide specialist advice throughout a variety of sectors, including the healthcare, manufacturing, and food spaces. Hayley Saunders leads the national team out of the Birmingham office, with both contentious and non-contentious offerings. Kirsty Hughes advises companies on a wide range of health and safety matters, handling both internal and external investigations.

Praxisleiter:

Hayley Saunders


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kirsty Hughes; Stephen Johnson


Referenzen

‘Shoosmiths have got superb strength and depth across their health and safety offering.‘

‚They are particularly adept at working collaboratively with Counsel to achieve the best outcome for their clients.’

‘The team is incredibly knowledgeable within the sector and has strength in depth at every level.’

Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised a large retailer in relation to managing the health and safety risks arising from RAAC across its vast real estate portfolio.
  • Advised a manufacturer of lifting equipment following a fall from height.
  • Advised an individual in relation to gross negligence manslaughter arising from a workplace fatality.

Weightmans LLP

Weightmans LLP‘s regulatory core team is regularly engaged by clients throughout the space. The practice has specialist teams handling environmental and business crime, and defends and prosecutes health and safety, food safety, and fire safety mandates. With a broad range of clients, from educational institutions to blue-chip international companies and major insurers, the team is well-experienced to assist with a range of matters. Andrew Brammer leads the team, with a focus on protecting both businesses and individuals during investigations, prosecutions, and inquests. Further support is provided by Tom Boulton and James Muller.

Praxisleiter:

Andrew Brammer


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Tom Boulton; James Muller


Referenzen

‘Very responsive and great advice given.’

‘Tom Boulton – an excellent lawyer. Very client-focused and always looking for ways to improve the service.’

‘Weightmans Birmingham team is a very strong choice for safety in the region.‘

Bevan Brittan LLP

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s criminal regulatory and compliance team handles a range of health and safety matters; non-contentious advice includes assisting with fire safety, building safety, and statutory compliance, and the group also acts for local authorities prosecuting contentious proceedings, and defends private and public sector organisations. Adam Kendall leads the team and brings a wealth of experience, particularly in the aftermath of workplace fatalities, advising both individuals and organisations subject to police investigation.

Praxisleiter:

Adam Kendall


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Louise Mansfield


Referenzen

‚Efficient and effective.‘

‚Louise Mansfield has been excellent.‘ 

Browne Jacobson LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP‘s insurance and public risk team acts for many private sector organisations in relation to health and safety accidents and incidents, including fatal accidents. The general team also advises on health and safety issues arising from the food, environment, healthcare, and road traffic spaces, and works with numerous public sector clients, often representing local authorities in respect of fatal and non-fatal accidents. Rachel Lyne acts out of the Birmingham office, with significant experience advising clients on corporate manslaughter, fire safety, and food hygiene matters.

Praxisleiter:

Rachel Lyne


Referenzen

‘The team completed an excellent, hands-on review of safety operations at our venue.’

‘Rachel Lyne was easy to deal with, responsive, and produced an excellent quality report.’

‘Rachel Lyne is a fantastic regulatory lawyer. She is talented, commercial, practical, and a really great person to work with.’

Kernmandanten

JS Wright


Welsh Government


Serco Plc


Clyde & Co

The safety, health, and environmental regulatory team at Clyde & Co handles a variety of health and safety matters, and is regularly instructed by corporate and insurer clients, alongside providing assistance to clients in the aftermath of serious incidents. Further, the group handles significant litigation as part of serious manslaughter cases, as well as working with clients subjected to a range of internal and external investigations. Bob Davies leads the Birmingham team, with extensive experience handling health and safety executive investigations and prosecutions.

Praxisleiter:

Bob Davies


Referenzen

‘The people within Clyde & Co actively listen, provide guidance, and critical thinking techniques to support you with your intent, questions, or general discussions.‘

‚The collaboration and communication is credible, consistent, and timely. They have a network of experts to support all aspects of health and safety risks.’

‘Bob Davies has the ability to explain what can be seen as a daunting process in tangible steps, he always responds to questions and calls professionally, I would recommend both Bob and the firm.’

Kernmandanten

Airbus


Beaufort Maintenance Ltd


Natwest


RSA


AXA


Aviva


DWF

DWF‘s regulatory, compliance, and investigations team handles a range of serious health and safety cases. The team’s expertise spans various sectors, from the energy, maritime, and retail industries to the healthcare, construction, and local government spaces. With specialisms in contentious health and safety work, the team regularly avoids convictions for corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, and other safety offenses, while also offering non-contentious advice to clients. The team benefits from the joint leadership of David Egan and Simon Belfield, with knowledge ranging from serious workplace incidents to public inquiries. Caroline Depledge is also recommended for investigations and prosecutions.

Praxisleiter:

David Egan; Simon Belfield


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Caroline Depledge; Eloise Adams


Referenzen

‘DWF is the premier firm for safety in the Midlands. They are deservedly seen as being the best place to receive quality advice and excellent representation.‘

‚They are well-resourced, with excellent partner supervision on all cases. The attention to detail provided is second to none.’

‘Caroline Depledge is fantastic. Her knowledge of this area is extraordinary. She fights so hard for her clients and will leave no stone unturned.‘ 

Kernmandanten

QBE


Chubb Insurance Company


Zurich Insurance


Allianz Insurance


RSA


NFU Mutual


Starr Underwriting


Protector Forsikring Insurance


Severn Trent Water


BT


Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA)


The Maritime & Coastguard Agency


Gateley Legal

Gateley Legal‘s regulatory and business defence team handles a range of health and safety matters, providing advice on all aspects of crisis management. With expertise across a number of sectors, including the housebuilding, construction, and manufacturing spaces, the team advises on major health and safety investigations across a range of regulatory issues. Ruth Armstrong leads the team and offers specialist crisis management services. Key support is provided by Sophie McCormick.

Praxisleiter:

Ruth Armstrong


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Sophie McCormick


Referenzen

‘Excellent outfit led by Ruth Armstrong, who is a clever, conscientious solicitor who defends her clients‘ interests with a steely charm.‘

‘Ruth Armstrong is – in my view – one of the top HSE defence solicitors currently practising. Commercial, savvy, and tough.‘

‘Gateleys have excellent, competent advice on hand whenever we need it.‘

Kernmandanten

United Molasses Group


Drayton Manor Park Limited


Taylor Wimpey plc


Vistry Group


Bellway plc


Story Homes Group


Keepmoat


Barratt Developments plc


Dr. Oetker (UK) Limited


Malmaison & Hotel du Vin Property Holdings Limited


Samworth Brothers Limited


Sudlows Limited


Lovell


Mamas and Papas Limited


WG Carter


Sport Regulation Authority


Croudace Homes Group


DCC plc


Certas Energy UK Limited


Nylacast Limited


Viva Nylons Limited


Grupo Bimbo (New York Bagels)


Miller Homes Limited


Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP's regulatory team provides advice to clients from a range of sectors, with significant experience in health and safety, fire safety, and building safety legislation. The team regularly advises and represents clients in HSE, police, and internal investigations, as well as in prosecutions and inquest proceedings. Tim Coolican leads the team, often assisting clients with their health and safety obligations in relation to employees, residents, and members of the public.

Praxisleiter:

Tim Coolican


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Lorna Kenyon-Pain


Referenzen

‘The firm has unrivalled expertise in the care and social housing sectors. The established team has real strength in depth.’

‘Tim Coolican is very knowledgeable and experienced in this area. He is very good at dealing with clients.’

‚This team are the leaders in regulatory work in the Midlands, especially in the social care space.‘

Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised and represented a residential care provider throughout all stages of an inquest in relation to a choking incident that resulted in the death of a resident with learning disabilities.
  • Advised a registered provider of social housing in respect of its obligations relating to window restrictors in its properties and reviewed its window restrictor policy, providing comments and amendments.
  • Assisted numerous housing and support providers to implement new management agreements and service level agreements that better reflected the complex legal and regulatory framework surrounding health and safety, fire safety, and building safety.

Kennedys

Kennedys‘ health and safety team advises and represents defendants facing police, HSE, and local authority prosecutions, and also assists in court and during inquest proceedings. With specialist knowledge of motoring offences, the team regularly handles driving cases and frequently acts for companies during the immediate aftermath of serious incidents. Naomi North heads the team, with considerable experience in high-profile and technical motor cases, often receiving instruction from insurers.

Praxisleiter:

Naomi North


Referenzen

‘Very responsive and easy to deal with – a genuine personal touch from the team.’

‚Naomi North and the team have been absolutely brilliant in all dealings with them.‘

Keoghs LLP

Keoghs LLP‘s crime and regulatory team handles a variety of high-profile health and safety breaches for a range of clients, including corporate entities, insurers, and individual directors. The team has experience handling adverse event investigations, inquests, inquiries, and prosecutions sought by the CPS, HSE, and fire and food authorities. Chris Green leads the team, with specialist knowledge of traffic commissioner inquiries, motoring prosecutions, and food safety breaches.

Praxisleiter:

Chris Green


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Tim Ingram; Chris Newton


Referenzen

‚Chris Green is tactically astute and is well-versed in all areas of health and safety practice, including coronial work.‘

‚Chris Green represents clients with vigour, tenacity, and in a pragmatic manner.‘

‘The team was excellent to work with, they communicated well throughout the process, and always considered a balanced approach to the case.‘

Kernmandanten

Greene King


Mitie


Smurfit Kappa


Allianz


G’s Fresh


Gallagher insurance


Greencore Ltd


Loungers


QBE


Highlight-Mandate


  • Undertook all hearing and inquest advocacy at the five-day inquest into the death of a holidaymaker who could not breathe and died.