The health and safety team at Burges Salmon LLP offers broad sector expertise drawing on resources from across the firm. The team has an especially strong presence in relation to the transport and food sectors, while also doing a significant amount of work for the construction, water, chemicals and renewables clients. All lawyers on the team are experienced civil litigators with a regulatory specialism, allowing them to act on both the criminal and civil issues arising from serious health and safety incidents. Ann Metherall leads the team and is one of the UK’s top names in the rail sector for health and safety issues. Recent addition Guy Bastable is the former head of corporate crime at BCL Solicitors LLP and Sian Edmunds is a leading expert in health and safety issues relating to food and drink. Senior associate Charlotte Whitaker  is regularly involved in high profile investigations and litigations under intense public scrutiny.

Clyde & Co offers one of the largest health and safety departments in the UK, taking on an extremely high volume of cases for defendant companies and their insurers. This is expanded by the firm’s recent merger with BLM, which brings across a high number of insurance experts to enhance their broad offering. Manchester-based UK safety, health and environment head Chris Morrison is retained by a number of global companies to provide advice on training and compliance, while former BLM partner Peter James heads the London safety, health and environment team. Mark Brookes is a leading lawyer in the regulatory field and handles high profile health and safety cases involving fatalities, corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter. Richard Crockford specialises in high profile manslaughter and regulatory defence matters in the rail, health, waste and public service industries. On the associate side, Alan Kells and Stephanie Lunt are important figures.

The safety, health and environment team at DAC Beachcroft LLP has a strong reputation for representing clients in high profile corporate manslaughter cases on an international level. Key industries for the team are construction, real estate, manufacturing, healthcare and retail, with a specialism in advising clients on their compliance with environmental law. Colin Moore has significant experience in corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter cases and often provides representation at PACE interview. He co-leads the firm with Fiona Gill, an expert on post-Brexit regulatory requirements who provides representation to clients in relation to inquests involving the Human Rights Act. Associate Claire Moore also works for clients across the team’s core sectors and Roger Cartwright has recently joined the team.

DWF's health and safety team are involved in some of the most difficult and high profile cases in the sector, including supporting the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on the Grenfell Tower fire. It offers compliance advice and litigation expertise to clients across the UK in the construction, retail, insurance and manufacturing sectors. Steffan Groch is a crisis management expert, as well as the former chair of the Health and Safety Lawyers' Association. Dominic Watkins specialises in providing regulatory advice to global and national clients in the retail and food sectors, while Hilary Ross helps large corporates create health and safety strategies for their employees.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's environment, health and safety team provides global coverage to clients on some of the most high profile and sensitive issues in the sector. As well as this, the team offers a strong expertise in handling non-contentious assurance and compliance work. An internal merger with the investigations and inquiries team has doubled the size of the team and expanded its offering even further. Paul Verrico has recently taken over as team leader and is a fellow of the Institute of Risk and Safety Management. Tim Hill handles high hazard cases for clients within the nuclear, oil, gas, chemical and manufacturing sectors. Solicitors Amy Sadro and Sarah Valentine are both important figures on the team.

With a strong reputation for disputes, the health and safety team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP acts for clients on some of the most serious health and safety incidents with particular expertise in representing large corporate entities facing potential prosecution for corporate manslaughter. Team head Howard Watson has over 25 years experience advising clients on both contentious and non-contentious health and safety issues, especially those stemming from very serious incidents. He is supported by senior associate David Bennett, who works with a broad range of clients in relation to safety regulation and investigations and enforcement by the health and safety executive.

Kennedys' health and safety team is widely regarded for its work as a defence team across many industries and services, particularly construction, manufacturing, rail, hospitality and fire and rescue. The team is also involved in some of the UK's highest profile disaster incidents, including representing the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation in regards to the Grenfell Tower fire. This work is led by team leader Daniel McShee, who is also chair of the Health and Safety Lawyers Association. He is supported by regulatory defence specialist David Wright and legal director Stephanie Power. Prominent senior associates on the team are Susan Cha and Kadie Cooper.

Osborne Clarke LLP‘s health and safety team has been working heavily on Covid-19 compliance work for major clients like ITV plc and the UK Public Service broadcasters, as well as an increasing amount of ESG-related compliance work and fire safety work for real estate clients. This compliments the team’s existing expertise in areas like crisis management, inquests, internal investigations, mental health risk and health and safety training for clients in the UK and abroad. Mary Lawrence leads the team with a specialism in crisis management and contentious health and safety issues. Kate Vickery handles extensive compliance work as well as an expanding amount of compliance advice. Associate Anna Lundy has particular expertise in local authority investigations and crisis management within the consumer and retail sectors.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s London health and safety is regularly instructed on serious, high profile incidents, including a number of fatal instructions. It caters for major clients across all sectors, especially those in high hazard industries such as construction, manufacturing, waste and energy. Fire and building safety is an area of growing expertise for the practice adding to a wealth of experience in crisis management, investigations and enforcement action. Team leader Kevin Bridges has experience spanning health and safety, fire safety, food safety and related criminal litigation. He is supported by Laura White, who frequently represents clients at the Magistrates’ Court for health and safety offences. Associate Phil Newton is a rising star who has specialised in criminal regulatory advice for health and safety matters.

Shoosmiths LLP‘s regulation, business crime and compliance team is instructed primarily by major corporate clients on all aspects of health and safety work for both defence and prosecution. A close relationship with the firm’s corporate team allows the practice to handle work involving non-contentious compliance, training and audit advice, notably in regards to Brexit changes and due diligence on health and safety systems for corporate deals. Roy Tozer continues to lead the team with a very active practice involving health, safety and environmental cases for the oil, gas, transport and construction sectors. Charles Arrand is an experienced regulatory crime solicitor with particular experience in the retail, hospitality, rail and manufacturing sectors. At the associate level, Joanne Sear and Claire Morrissey are important figures on the team.

The London arm of Addleshaw Goddard‘s health and safety team is led by David Young, who has 30 years of experience representing clients in the energy, transport and manufacturing sectors on high profile incidents such as the Potters Bar rail crash and the Grenfell Tower fire. The team receives instructions from the directors of some of the largest companies in the UK. Practice head Erin Shoesmith is well regarded for her expertise in handling fire safety, product safety, food safety and criminal regulatory defence work. She and David are supported by legal director Adrian Mansbridge and associate Sufia Saqib.

Operating as part of the firm’s larger business crime and regulation department, BCL Solicitors LLP‘s health and safety team is instructed on high profile regulatory and criminal cases, as well as matters involving corporate manslaughter, fire safety; food safety and environmental protection. The team’s focus is on contentious criminal and regulatory matters, with the intent to end investigations before they start. Richard Reichman leads the team and is often instructed in cases that require a deep knowledge of corporate crime and regulation. He is supported by senior associate Tom McNeill, who specialises in regulatory investigations, fire safety and environmental investigations.

The safety, health and environment team at DLA Piper is well regarded for its integrated contentious and non-contentious offering for a portfolio of major national and international clients. The addition of Nick Rock from Reed Smith LLP has brought a major level of expertise in the environmental, health and safety aspects of complex commercial transactions and disputes, especially in regards to the on and off-shore energy, chemicals and technology sectors. He co-heads the team with Teresa Hitchcock, a market leader in environmental law, with particular expertise in contaminated land, nuisance disputes and regeneration projects. Alastair Clough and Ailish Oxenforth are also key members of the team.

Kingsley Napley LLP‘s health, safety and environment practice call upon expertise within the dispute resolution, employment, public law and clinical negligence departments in order to bring about a very broad offering for clients, especially those dealing with issues relating to criminal law. The team is best known for representing individuals under investigation in relation to serious accidents, though it increasingly acts for corporate entities as well in regards to health and safety, fire safety, environmental protection and safeguarding. Jonathan Grimes leads the criminal side of the practice, specialising in corporate manslaughter and helping clients though police investigations. Melinka Berridge heads the regulatory team with particular expertise in the fields of health and safety, licensing, regulatory and private prosecutions. Hannah Eales and Craig Baylis are two other important team members.

The health and safety team at RPC forms part of the firm’s larger regulatory pillar, allowing it to draw from a much larger pool of multidisciplinary specialists to bring a wide breadth of expertise across all aspects of regulation. In addition, the team has strong insurance expertise, helping clients with gross negligence and corporate manslaughter investigations as well as other significant incidents, often involving fatalities. Gavin Reese heads up the regulatory team, dealing with many high profile cases. Legal director Mamata Dutta has experience across the construction, manufacturing and arboriculture sectors, advising clients on inquests as well as gross negligence manslaughter investigations and prosecutions. New partner Fiona Hahlo is another key name.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ environmental, safety and health team has a strong international reputation, with the national UK team being supported by partners across Europe, the US and Australia. The team has specialist industry experience in the entertainment, food and drink, construction, chemicals, life sciences and manufacturing sectors. The practice encompasses a wide area of expertise, including public inquiries, internal investigations, auditing, training and liaising with regulators. Rob Elvin leads the team with a focus on corporate defence and training PLC boards on directors’ duties. He has a significant presence in the power generation, construction and manufacturing sectors. He is supported by associates Robert Biddlecombe and Gary Lewis.

The regulatory and environment team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP has been involved in many of the leading health and safety cases of the last 10 years, including the Didcot Power Station collapse and the Grenfell Tower inquiry. The team provides a full range of both contentious and non-contentious services, including in matters related to enforcement action, corporate and personal liability and operational advice. Jon Cooper leads the team, encompassing a full range of health and safety legal services, conducting cases for both prosecution and defence in high profile cases. Kevin Elliott has recently joined the firm, bringing extensive experience in representing individuals and organisations following workplace fatalities. Stephen Panton is another noteworthy name, with a wide practice encompassing waste, construction, energy, transport and care.

As specialists in construction and insurance law, Beale & Co‘s health and safety team offers a full service to some of the biggest names in the sector. Members of the team regularly attend the board meetings of large corporate clients, giving advice on issues including director responsibilities, corporate manslaughter and building fire safety. Sheena Sood has almost 30 years of experience advising clients in relation to investigations, prosecutions and other enforcements under health, safety and environmental law. She co-leads the team with Joanna Lewis , who regularly acts on serious incidents involving fatalities and life changing injuries, as well as those where serious breaches in regulation have been discovered. Associate Zita Mansi is another key name, focusing on the defence of claims against construction consultants.

Blackfords LLP‘s health and safety law team has a very active practice, handling cases with a criminal dimension and broader regulatory and other non-contentious matters. In particular, this involves investigations, gross negligence and corporate manslaughter and coroners’ inquests. The team is nationally well known for its expertise in the rail sector, displayed by team head Gary Rubin , a longstanding specialist in health and safety and regulatory law. Gary Bloxsome has a considerable amount of experience across the spectrum of criminal and regulatory investigations, particularly with gross negligence manslaughter cases.

The environmental, health and safety team at CMS features a significant degree of specialist knowledge in high risk industries, particularly the oil and gas industries, but also including the energy, waste, manufacturing, renewables and transport sectors. The team regularly acts for individuals and multinational companies in all aspects of health and safety, including prosecutions, inquiries, corporate manslaughter, inquests, risk management and training. Lukas Rootman leads the team, advising clients in contentious and non-contentious matters with significant experience coordinating multijurisdictional advice.

The health and safety team at Dentons works a balance of transaction, advisory and regulatory defence work with an integrated cross-border perspective. At the core of the practice is deep knowledge in the energy, rail, transportation, food and manufacturing sectors, with instructions coming from major clients across these sectors like National Rail. Stephen Shergold  leads the London team, as well as being chair of the firm's global ESG steering committee. His practice covers all areas of environmental and health and safety law, particularly within the oil and gas, waste and contaminated land sectors. He leads alongside the Scotland-based Malcolm Gunnyeon, an expert in the rail and energy sectors. Helen Bowdren is another key name.

Fieldfisher‘s small but experienced health and safety group works across all industry sectors, with particular specialisms within the transport, defence, manufacturing and chemical sectors. The team frequently takes part in sensitive, specialist projects, with a caseload comprising a mixture of advisory, regulatory and contentious work. Andrew Sanderson leads the team, representing clients in all aspects of health and safety reviews, investigations, and defending prosecutions. He is supported by senior associate Elliott Kenton, who specialises in internal investigations, proactive issues and contentious health and safety matters.

Fisher Scoggins Waters LLP is a boutique in the field of engineering and construction, frequently handling serious disputes and disasters. The team offers a comprehensive emergency response service, internal investigation advice, representation at coroners’ inquests and support through police investigations and prosecutions. Michael Appleby and Mark Scoggins both have extensive experience handling fatal accident investigations and defending both companies and directors. Meanwhile, Charlotte Waters acts across construction, rail and building safety matters.

The West Midlands-based regulatory crime team at Gowling WLG work closely within the construction, quarrying, aerospace, food and social care sectors, regularly receiving instructions from major clients within these industries. Risk management is a particular focus area for the team, deliberately avoiding taking cases from insurance companies. Andrew Litchfield leads the team, with wide experience of regulatory investigations and conducting advocacy in inquests and criminal courts.

The health, safety and security team at Hogan Lovells International LLP provides advice and representation to clients on high profile, high value safety incidents as well as more typical regulatory advice and safety prosecution work. The team has a special expertise in terrorism and hostile environment safety dating back to the 7/7 bombings inquest as well as domestic security advice. This is reflected by their recent involvement in the Manchester Arena inquiry. Richard Welfare focuses on regulatory compliance, while Claire Lipworth focuses on criminal health and safety matters. Counsel Helen Boniface regularly works with regulators through incident investigations and has a deep understanding of the coronial process.

The crime and regulatory team at Keoghs LLP is best known for defending high profile, serious regulatory breaches across all service sectors for directors and corporate entities. In particular, it handles prosecutions related to corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter, environmental offences, fire safety breaches and care sector related investigations. Nina Dhillon leads the London team in defending companies, directors and senior managers facing investigation for the most serious breaches of their regulatory duties. Chris Newton leads the national team with extensive experience managing health and safety investigations and dealing with organisations like the HSE and CQC. Associate Gemma Rush is another important name.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s London health and safety team forms part of the firm’s global network of health and safety specialists, giving the firm a broad and specialised offering. The firm provides advice in all areas of health and safety, including regulatory investigations, criminal and civil law, judicial review and public health advice. Team leader Caroline May has extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious health and safety, especially for clients in the energy, transport and construction sectors, representing large corporate clients within these sectors.

Plexus Law‘s health and safety team provides specialist regulatory advice to clients within the construction, sports, care, education, agriculture and marine sectors. The team represents companies and directors in health and safety investigations for a variety of issues, including corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter. A recent work highlight involves the class action being brought against World Rugby – a matter concerning personal injury and health and safety risk management at a professional level. The team is led by HSE expert Philip Tracey, who’s supported by associates Claire Attridge and Stephanie Wilson.

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s health and safety practice has a strong focus on local authority and public sector representation in HSE and CQC investigations and enforcement actions. The team also acts for clients on health and safety obligations across all sectors, as well as bringing health and safety prosecutions in high profile cases, including one involving the death of a child. Adam Kendall leads the team, advising on health and safety, fire safety, environmental, trading standards and waste licensing issues.

Fielding a broad health and safety practice, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner also has a distinct dedicated regulatory practice, which has notable experience in fire safety and asbestos-related mandates. The team’s client roster encompasses banks and insolvency practitioners, energy companies, property developers and clients in the hotel, leisure and construction sectors. Jeremy Bark heads up the practice and is active across issues pertaining to fatal accidents, inquests and inquiries.

The regulatory services department at Weightmans acts frequently on behalf of care homes, schools and healthcare bodies. The team is comprised of health and safety regulatory specialists, both defending and prosecuting matters such as trading standards, fire and food. Crispin Kenyon is head of the London practice, with experience running highly charged and high profile inquests within the construction, waste, printing, transport, schools and care home sectors. Dewi Ap-Thomas is the national head of regulatory, specialising in work in the criminal and coronial jurisdictions. Senior partner David Lewis is highly experienced handling safety enforcement actions for both defence and prosecution.