The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - The Bar > London Bar > Health and safety

'A specialist outfit with real strength in depth', Crown Office Chambers is widely regarded as 'a go-to chambers for health and safety work' with a team that continues to act in high-profile cases, notably the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Recent instructions include Dominic Kay QC representing Hamerton Zoo in an inquest regarding health and safety breaches after a tiger mauled a keeper to death, while Simon Antrobus QC acted for Valero Energy (formerly Chevron) in the case of the Pembroke oil refinery explosion that killed four workers.

As 'a leading set for health and safety cases', Henderson Chambers has 'considerable strength in depth', housing an 'excellent' team of 'impressive, charismatic and intelligent barristers'. Multiple members of the set continue to advise on the Grenfell Tower disaster; other highlights include Prashant Popat QC and Oliver Campbell QC successfully defending British Cycling and the event organiser respectively against allegations of health and safety breaches following a fatal accident at a mountain bike race.

2 Bedford Row ‘has a strong presence and pedigree in the health and safety field’, according to clients. Of particular note, Richard Matthews QC and Christine Agnew QC have been handling the prosecution of David Duckenfield, former match commander during the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy, concerning 95 counts of gross negligence manslaughter. In April 2019, a jury failed to reach a verdict in the case. In June 2019 it was announced that Duckenfield will face a retrial.

SIX PUMP COURT is noted for its strength in acting for regulatory bodies, local authorities, individuals, and businesses across a range of health and safety work; the set's members take instructions from the construction, oil and gas, maritime, and food sectors, to name but a few. In a recent highlight, Stephen Hockman QC led David Hercock before the Supreme Court regarding an appeal against the judgment in R v Highbury Poultry Farm Produce Limited, concerning the interrelationship between EU and UK food safety regulations; the Supreme Court granted permission to appeal.

Temple Garden Chambers is adept at representing individuals and companies in various matters, including serious injury issues, corporate manslaughter investigations, and gross negligence manslaughter cases. Recent instructions include Keith Morton QC representing construction firm Mick George in an appeal to reduce a fine imposed on the company following a breach of health and safety regulations, which followed damage to a vehicle despite the employee driving the vehicle was unharmed; the appeal was successful.

2 Hare Court houses ‘a strong cadre of health and safety counsel’. Noteworthy instructions include Jonathan Laidlaw QC acting for cladding company Harley Facades in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry. Laidlaw QC also acted for Pret a Manger following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse; the teenager collapsed and died on board a flight in July 2016 after having an allergic reaction to an "artisan" baguette purchased from the sandwich chain. Pret has announced it will include full ingredient labelling on all its products following Ednan-Laperouse’s inquest, while the government is considering a legislative change.

At Three Raymond Buildings, Stephen Walsh QC is leading Sarah Le Fevre in representing the London Fire Brigade in the ongoing Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry. Also of note, Saba Naqshbandi is well known for her niche specialism in fire safety cases.