Criminal Regulatory & Environmental

This “dynamic, go-getting group” has now established itself in the very front rank of health and safety sets. Its defence experience is a s good as anyone’s, and it boasts a crop of juniors whose names are fixtures in London and various regional circuits. Solicitors find the clerking to be “fantastic and hassle-free”, while the training events and seminars organised here are increasingly appreciated”
(Chambers & Partners, 2011. Chambers Ranking: Group 1)


Newsletters

Criminal Regulatory & Environmental Law Update Issue 10 (Winter 2011)

Newsflash: Tangerine Confectionery Ltd and Veolia ES (UK) Ltd

Criminal Regulatory & Environmental Law Update Issue 9 (Spring 2011)

Criminal Regulatory & Environmental Law Update Issue 8 (Summer 2010)

Health & Safety and Regulatory Law Update Issue 7 (April 2010)

Health & Safety and Regulatory Law Update Issue 6 (September 2009)

Health & Safety and Regulatory Law Update Issue 5 (January 2009)

Health & Safety and Regulatory Law Update Issue 4 (Summer 2008)

Health & Safety and Regulatory Law Update Issue 3 (Spring 2008)

Health & Safety and Regulatory Law Update Issue 2 (Autumn 2007)

Health & Safety and Regulatory Law Update Issue 1 (Summer 2007)

Newsflash: The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (July 2007)

 

We are widely regarded as one of the country's leading chambers in these highly specialised areas of work. The majority of the team work exclusively in the fields of health & safety, inquests, the criminal aspects of consumer protection and trading law and environmental law. Members of the team are recognised as leaders in these fields and regularly appear in the highest profile cases.

Crown Office Chambers is consistently rated by clients, solicitors and the legal directories as one of the leading sets in Health & Safety. We are ranked by Chambers & Partners as the leading set. The team's work covers the full range of health & safety law, from high profile corporate manslaughter cases and prosecutions of individual directors for gross negligence manslaughter to prosecutions under the HSWA arising out of fatal and non-fatal accidents and appeals against improvement and prohibition notices. Members of the team have been involved in the leading cases that have shaped this niche area of corporate criminal law.

The team also undertakes a substantial amount of work in the distinct area of Consumer Protection, including cases relating to trading standards, advertising, licensing, product safety, food safety and food hygiene. Members have represented many of the leading retailers in criminal trading law matters and advise on regulatory issues that extend beyond criminal proceedings themselves such as product launches and recalls.

The team have considerable expertise in Inquests. Members have been involved in many lengthy and high profile inquests and public inquiries and are regularly involved at inquests into deaths that have occurred on construction sites or other workplaces and those arising out of road traffic accidents. The team's wide experience extends to deaths that have occurred in care homes, residential premises, hospitals, hotels, aircraft and custodial and military settings.

Members of the team also have particular experience of Environmental cases, representing both corporate and individual defendants facing prosecution for breaches of environmental legislation. These cases typically involve major pollution incidents, permit breaches, the spillage of hazardous substances, marine regulation prosecutions and cases relating to controlled waste.

 

Recent Inquests and Inquiries

Notable matters include:

Abbie Jones inquest (2010): Richard Tyrrell 

Price inquest  (2008): James Maxwell-Scott

Aziz inquest (2007): James Maxwell-Scott

The Kingsway Hospital (Derby) Inquests (2005): Michael Spencer QC and Richard Tyrrell

Mubarek Inquiry (2005): James Maxwell-Scott

The Feltham Inquiry (2004): James Maxwell-Scott

The M5/Avonmouth Bridge multi-fatality Inquests (2003): David Platt

The Shipman Inquiry (2003): James Maxwell-Scott

The Hutton Inquiry (2003): James Maxwell-Scott

The BSE Inquiry (1998-2000): James Maxwell-Scott


Seminars & Training

In addition to our comprehensive seminar programme, the range of expertise and the depth of our experience both in Health & Safety and Regulatory Law enables Chambers to provide training courses to both professional & lay clients. Further information on forthcoming seminars & client specific courses can be obtained from the clerks.

Fee structures are flexible and subject to negotiation. Many members accept public access work & are willing to advise clients direct in appropriate cases.

 

Recent Cases

Members of the team have been involved in a number of the leading Health & Safety law authorities, including:

  • Tangerine Confectionery Ltd and Veolia (UK) Ltd -and- The Queen [2011] EWCA Crim 2015 (Court of Appeal) (employers' duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees at work). John Cooper
  • New Look Retailers Limited v The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority 2010 [EWCA] Civ 1268 (Court of Appeal)  (Guidelines for sentencing under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005). John Cooper
  • R v Upperbay [2010] EWCA Crim 495 (Court of Appeal) (Duty to supervise children when swimming. John Cooper
  • R v TDG (UK) Ltd [2008] EWCA Crim 1963 (Court of Appeal) (Guidance on approach to sentencing given that no tariffs exist to assist the court) John Cooper
  • R v N Ltd and C Ltd [2008] EWCA Crim 1223 (Jurisdictional power to rule on a submission of no case where no evidence heard but form of evidence clear) John Cooper
  • View further Recent Cases

Related Seminars

Past Seminars

Date Title/Area of Work Location Programme Book
20/10/2011 "The Future Is Tangerine"
 Criminal Regulatory & Environmental		 Hyatt Hotel, Birmingham View this programme (190 kb) N/A
12/10/2011 "The Future Is Tangerine"
 Criminal Regulatory & Environmental		 HAC, London View this programme (190 kb) N/A

View Seminars Archive