The 'well-resourced and knowledgeable' team at Hugh James provides 'top-class client care' to a range of prosecuting entities across a myriad health and safety matters. 'Highly competent' senior associate Justin Davies is key to this work, not only by virtue of his 'niche knowledge of fire safety law' but also his prosecution work for the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency and local authorities in cases relating to food safety and housing safety. Martin Jones heads up the overarching regulatory offering and is most active from a health and safety perspective on the defence side , adding particular insight as a result of his former work as an HSE solicitor agent.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is well-resourced and knowledgeable and provides top-class client care.'
‘Justin Davies is a leader in the field and has niche knowledge of fire safety law.'
'Justin Davies is highly competent, efficient and knowledgeable. In these particularly complex areas, he wrestles with the detail meaning that his clients get an excellent service. His eye is also focused upon the overall strategy to reach the desired outcome - the clients receive an excellent service.’
'Leah Ellison is a pleasure to work for: efficient and with a mastery of the case.'
Key clients
- South Wales Fire & Rescue Authority
- Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Authority
- Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Authority
- East Sussex Fire & Rescue Authority
- Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency
- Cardiff City Council
- Welsh Government
- Natural Resources Wales
- Taff Housing Association
Work highlights
- Continuing to represent the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service in all prosecutions brought by the Service under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 as well as in appeals brought against Enforcement Notice and Prohibition Notices issued by the Service.
- Continuing to act for the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency, prosecuting transport-related offences on the Agency’s behalf and also being the sole provider of training to the Agency’s new-recruit Traffic Examiners, Vehicle Examiners Counter-Fraud Investigators and Agency Decision-Makers.
- Acted for Cardiff County Council in a number of food safety, product safety and housing safety cases, including in proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Courts.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Martin Jones
Other key lawyers
Justin Davies; Leah Ellison