Experience

• Specialises in the conduct of health and safety, public inquiries and regulator defence matters arising in the rail, health, local authority, public utility, construction, police and other public service industries.
• Represented companies and individuals at inquests, public and other inquires and prosecutions relating to the rail accidents at Kings Cross Fire, Clapham, Purley, Cannon Street, Cowden, Southall, Ladbroke Grove, Hatfield and Potters Bar, and other major accidents.
• Defended a major rail infrastructure company and individuals on manslaughter and health and safety charges arising out of the Hatfield rail accident.
• Represented a major rail infrastructure company and individuals in relation to police and HSE investigations into the Ladbroke Grove rail accident.
• Represented fire and rescue services, fire officers, police and local authorities, public utility companies and other public and private companies and their directors on multi-fatality incidents.
• Represented a scrap metal company and its directors, demolition companies and directors and senior managers; and a crane company and director in manslaughter and health and safety prosecutions and investigations following workplace fatalities.
• Represented numerous directors on various individual manslaughter and health and safety prosecutions and investigations.
• Regularly advises directors, SHE and HR managers on health and safety, environment and employment policies and procedures.

Projects

• Setting up of systems and protocols for managing major incidents and assistance with management training on major incident response.
• Setting up models for accident investigation in multi-fatality incidents.
• Setting up systems for evidence and document control management procedures on behalf of public inquires, companies and public authorities in relation to management of large cases, high volume litigation and major incidents.

Significant reported cases

• Kings Cross Fire, Clapham, Purley, Cannon Street and Cowden, Southall, Ladbroke Grove, Hatfield, and Potters Bar rail accidents and many other major incidents.
• Grant v South West Trains Ltd 1998 ICR 449 (ECJ Case C-249/96).
• Norfolk County Council v Webster, BBC and Associated Newspapers Ltd 2006 EWHC 2733.

Client types

• Rail
• Public service
• Local authority
• Construction and demolition
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing and retail
• Agriculture

Publications

• Regularly writes articles for trade and legal publications
• Former Times "Lawyer of the Week"