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‘.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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‘.

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.

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.

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.