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Roy Tozer, frequently singled out as one of the top health and safety experts in the region, leads DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘first-rate’ team. The group successfully concluded the Buncefield case on behalf of Total UK, and has since been involved in a number of fatality cases.

Eversheds LLP’s David Young has a strong reputation as one of Birmingham’s leading health and safety experts. His team represented Hertfordshire Oil Storage in the Buncefield case, and defended Marks & Spencer against HSE prosecution regarding its asbestos management regime during refurbishments at several stores.

Senior associate Sean Elson at Pinsent Masons LLP successfully defended Stephen Luckett, a crane operator, against a charge of manslaughter, and is currently representing a member of the UK Constructors Group in an ongoing investigation by the HSE.

Wragge & Co LLP was appointed as the sole health and safety adviser to a manufacturing company with a turnover of nearly £2bn, as well as picking up instructions from a local authority, a property management company and an aerospace company. Andrew Litchfield leads the team.

Beachcroft ‘always seems to be on top of the job’ and is ‘proactive instead of reactive’. The group handled a number of high-profile prosecutions, including two appeals. Andrew Roach is ‘vastly experienced in health and safety law and backed by a good team of solicitors’.

Adam Kendall’s team at Bevan Brittan LLP won the tender to provide training to the Health Protection Agency on legal issues surrounding major disasters. The group also handles all health and safety matters for Amlin’s insureds.

Gateley has notable expertise in construction-related health and safety work, acting for a number of major developers. Practice head Ruth Armstrong’s ‘strength is in her knowledge, dealing with the authorities and communicating with her clients’.

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s David Egan is ‘very knowledgeable, very quick and gives reassurance at all stages’. The group handled a number of claims involving manslaughter investigations, and work-at-height and asbestos related prosecutions.

James Shrimpton’s team at Kennedys handles health and safety work for a strong insurance client base, acting for clients such as ACE, Chubb and Fusion. The firm is currently representing a number of clients facing HSE prosecution.

Martineau represented a number of clients facing HSE prosecutions in relation to serious agricultural accidents, machine safety issues and asbestos management. Andrew Adams heads the team.

Mills & Reeve LLP is currently representing a client in an HSE inquest into the death of an individual crushed in a lift shaft, and is also acting for a client being prosecuted for alleged breaches of asbestos regulation. Associate Duncan Astill is recommended.

Shoosmiths’ clients are pleased with the ‘professional support and knowledge the team brings to the table’. Clients include Calor Gas and Interfiora. The firm sits on the London, Midlands and South East HSE prosecution panels.

Squire Sanders Hammonds counts the Engineering Employers Federation and the British Printing Industries Federation as clients, and in 2010 was appointed to the health and safety panels of EDF and Kier. David Gordon joined from Eversheds LLP.

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