Retour United Kingdom - The Bar

Leading Silks

Simon Antrobus KCCrown Office Chambers ‘He is an absolute legend. He is thorough and exceptionally knowledgeable.’
John Cooper KCCrown Office Chambers ‘John is commanding yet approachable. His eloquence and persuasive advocacy is matched by his fine sense of strategy and innate sixth sense of when to press a point and when to leave it.’
Dominic Kay KCCrown Office Chambers ‘His reading of the courtroom is second to none. A stand-out name in health and safety law.'
Jonathan Laidlaw KC2 Hare Court ‘Jonathan is a master of strategy.'
Richard Matthews KCMayfair Place Chambers 'His knowledge of the law is unrivalled. He has huge gravitas in court, where he is highly respected by judges and loved by juries.'
Keith Morton KCTemple Garden Chambers ‘Keith is extremely calm in a crisis, astute and totally reassuring.’
Prashant Popat KCHenderson Chambers ‘Prashant draws from a deep well of experience to deliver very pragmatic advice to clients. He demonstrates impressive acumen when dissecting intricate legal matters and then explaining and presenting those matters with clarity and precision.’
David Travers KCGough Square Chambers ‘David is a very polished advocate. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things health and safety.’
Dominic Adamson KCTemple Garden Chambers ‘Dominic is a safe pair of hands who brings calm in a storm.'  
Mark Balysz KCCrown Office Chambers 'He is an outstanding advocate before a jury.'
Deanna Heer KC5 Paper Buildings ‘A smooth advocate with impressive analytical skills and an outstanding work ethic. Her calm and persuasive advocacy style is effective with judges and juries alike.’
James Maxwell-Scott KCCrown Office Chambers ‘James knows the law inside out.’
Mark Watson KCSix Pump Court 'Mark is a joy to instruct. A very experienced and technically gifted regulatory silk.'  
David Whittaker KC2 Hare Court 'He is a masterful orator with silky smooth delivery, commanding the ears of the jury and judge with ease.'

2024 Silks

Saba Naqshbandi KCThree Raymond Buildings ‘Saba combines intelligence and great judgement with a tenacious and pragmatic demeanour.’

2025 Silks

Cameron Crowe KCGough Square Chambers 'Cameron is a standout barrister in the field of health and safety law. His technical understanding and strategic thinking are invaluable.’

Leading Juniors

Mike AtkinsCrown Office Chambers ‘Mike is exceptional in his field. A barrister who is methodical and unflappable in everything he does.’ 
James Buchanan2 Hare CourtJames is a brilliant advocate who has an unrivalled way with clients.'
Malcolm GallowayCrown Office Chambers ‘He is a top junior for health and safety work.
Shauna RitchieMayfair Place Chambers ‘Shauna has in depth knowledge of health and safety law. She is an accomplished advocate and is a class act in court. She is a great tactician.'
Alex Stein2 Bedford Row 'Alex is a highly effective advocate in health and safety matters, combining technical precision with a calm, authoritative courtroom presence.'
Lee BennettSix Pump Court ‘Lee is as good as a silk. He is meticulously prepared and his advocacy is calm and persuasive.’
Miles Bennett5 Paper Buildings ‘Miles is a phenomenon - in court he is on another level. There is nobody else you would want to fight for you in the most difficult or nuanced case.’
Valerie CharbitRed Lion Chambers ‘Valerie is experienced and persuasive with judges and tribunals.’
David HercockSix Pump Court ‘David is an exceptional practitioner. He is extremely personable.’
Laura PhillipsGough Square Chambers ‘Laura is marvellous. She has a calm, authoritative and insightful approach to her cases due to her meticulous preparation.'
Eleanor SandersonMayfair Place Chambers ‘Eleanor is a formidable advocate.'
Alexandra Tampakopoulos2 Hare Court 'Alexandra is a brilliant strategic thinker. She can see the issues buried in a mountain of complexities and can explain matters simply and effectively to clients.'
Harry VannCrown Office Chambers Harry is a legal force of nature - a colossus of intellect and strategy. He has a commanding presence in court and juries listen when he speaks.'
Ian WrightFive Paper ‘Ian brings a calm, analytical approach to litigation. He is a persuasive and thoughtful advocate.’
Lucy Wright  – Crown Office Chambers ‘Lucy has a remarkable ability to explain complex advice and issues in layman’s terms. Her warm approach instantly puts clients at ease, fostering a comfortable and trusting environment.’
Tom Day2 Hare Court ‘Tom is a superstar in all matters of health and safety.'
Sailesh MehtaRed Lion ChambersSailesh always makes himself available for advice.'
Jack MurphyCrown Office ChambersJack is a go-to health and safety practitioner. He is a fantastic strategist who can navigate complex and sensitive cases with fierce determination.’
Katie Sage  – Crown Office Chambers ‘She is always completely across her brief and cuts straight to the crux of a matter.'
Ian Thomas   – Gough Square Chambers ‘Ian is the doyen of the field of food safety and hygiene cases. He is very good with clients and tactically astute.'
Christian Du Cann39 Essex Chambers ‘Christian is a great advocate and presents cases very well in court. He is strategic and good with clients.’
Mark Davies - Six Pump Court 'Mark is a brilliant barrister. He is extremely professional and responsive, taking the time to completely understand the case he is dealing with and the particular client. He is a skilled advocate.'
Alexander dos Santos – Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Alex has fantastic attention to detail, and is a confident and persuasive advocate.’
Sabrina GoodchildGough Square Chambers ‘Sabrina has phenomenal attention to detail.’
Robin KinghamGough Square Chambers ‘Robin’s advice is clear, intelligent and practical.'
James PurnellHenderson Chambers ‘James is very persuasive and always finds the most attractive arguments which will advance his case.’
Tanveer QureshiLibertas Chambers ‘Tanveer is a fearless advocate and a good tactician.’
Paul SpencerSerjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Paul has the ability to put clients at ease in very difficult circumstances.’

Health and safety in London Bar

Crown Office Chambers


Crown Office Chambers 'remains at the top of its game in the health and safety arena'. In a high-profile matter, John Cooper KC and Sandesh Singh defended North East London NHS Trust in a longrunning case which involved allegations of corporate manslaughter and a breach of s3 HSWA 1974 arising from the death of a patient in a mental health facility; the trust was acquitted of the charge of corporate manslaughter. Elsewhere in chambers, Simon Antrobus KC, Mike Atkins and Katie Sage are representing Jersey's domestic gas distributor in a case involving allegations of manslaughter and corporate manslaughter arising from the Haut De Mont explosion in 2022, which resulted in the complete destruction of a block of flats and ten fatalities.

Les références

‘Toby Sparrow is excellent.’

‘Toby and Lisa Searle are simply amazing – an asset to Crown Office Chambers.’

‘Toby and Lisa are fantastic clerks who provide exceptional service.’





Henderson Chambers


Henderson Chambers is ‘a strong set with an established pedigree in health and safety, with recognised expert counsel at all levels of seniority‘. Oliver Campbell KC is ‘an excellent communicator with a thorough and endearing pragmatic approach to achieve best results‘. In recent instructions for the team, Prashant Popat KC and Christopher Adams successfully acted for the defendants in a Health and Safety at Work Act prosecution concerning a triple fatality arising from a tower crane collapse. Anna Medvinskaia joined the team in September 2025.

Les références

‘The clerking team are very good, helpful and knowledgeable.’

‘The health and safety practitioners at Henderson Chambers are leaders in the field.’

‘The Henderson team is led by some of the most recognisable names in the field of health and safety law.’





2 Bedford Row


At 2BR, the health and safety offering includes advising on corporate manslaughter, gross negligence and fire safety cases. Christine Agnew KC 'has a strong grasp of technical, expert evidence and is excellent in her cross-examination'. Jim Sturman KC is 'a commanding courtroom presence with a rare ability to combine gravitas with clarity', and is very highly regarded for his defence practice. Among the junior end of chambers, Alex Stein is routinely instructed for the prosecution on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive; he recently appeared in HSE v Amberley Homes (Kent) Limited, a case arising from the death of a roofer who fell from scaffolding on a construction site.

Les références

‘Paul Rodgers is impressive. He can’t do enough to assist and always looking for solutions.’

‘The clerks at 2BR are excellent with Joe Martin, Joseph Mulligan, and Lee Bartlett going from strength to strength.’

‘Paul Rodgers brings a calm authority and deep understanding of the demands of Health and Safety litigation, ensuring that counsel are matched appropriately and that scheduling is handled with care.’





2 Hare Court


2 Hare Court is well versed in advising across a wide range of health and safety work. David Whittaker KC, who heads the set's health and safety group, is very experienced in advising on cases involving fatal and non-fatal accidents. Jonathan Laidlaw KC is 'calm and reassuring'; he is acting for crowd management, venue and event security company Showsec in ongoing proceedings concerning alleged HSWA breaches on behalf of the company's workforce who provided security on the night of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. James Buchanan has extensive expertise in handling gross negligence manslaughter cases.

Les références

‘Julian Campbell will do all that is possible to assist.’

‘Julian knows this sector incredibly well.’

‘A fantastic chambers with excellent barristers and clerks.’





Six Pump Court


Six Pump Court is 'excellent for regulatory cases'. The team brings extensive experience in handling high-profile health and safety matters for clients in the oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, rail, health and retail sectors. Additionally, the group garners praise for its expertise in food safety regulatory matters. Mark Watson KC is acting in proceedings arising from the amputation of an engineer’s arm after it became stuck in a lift shaft. Among the juniors, Pascal Bates successfully prosecuted on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in HSE v Cambridgeshire County Council, where the council was convicted of safety mismanagement failures over an 11-year period, concerning multiple fatalities and injuries suffered by pedestrians and cyclists on and near the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway. The council received a £6m fine, which is considered to be one of the largest fines imposed on a local authority for safety breaches.

Les références

‘Richard Constable runs a tight ship and leads by example, so the clerks are particularly responsive and approachable.’

‘Richard Constable is a real star!’

‘The clerks are efficient.’





Temple Garden Chambers


With an established track record in representing clients from a broad array of sectors in health and safety matters, Temple Garden Chambers' members routinely handle high-profile corporate manslaughter prosecutions and complex regulatory investigations. Keith Morton KC is defending Glen Dimplex Home Appliances Limited in a case arising from the death of a homeowner from carbon monoxide poisoning, allegedly from unsafe gas appliance products put on the market by the defendant. Dominic Adamson KC is 'an excellent advocate and a good strategist'.

Les références

‘Keith Sharman is very obliging.’

‘Keith is excellent and responsive. The other clerks provide a good service and are helpful.’

‘Temple Garden Chambers are a good set.’





Outer Temple Chambers


Outer Temple Chambers is highly regarded for its extensive expertise in advising on complex rail and maritime-related safety cases, however the practice is equally strong in handling a wide spectrum of health and safety matters. Ben Compton KC is acting as counsel to the explosives contractors in ongoing proceedings arising from the Didcot Power Station collapse in 2016, which resulted in four fatalities. In a separate matter, 2025 silk appointment Oliver Powell KC, as a junior, successfully appeared for the prosecution in MCA v Intrada Ships Management Ltd (‘Scot Carrier’), concerning a double fatality following a fatal vessel collision in 2021. Among the juniors, Paul Rogers represents Cambridgeshire County Council in cases concerning multiple fatalities over a period of several years arising from the council's operation of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway.

Les références

‘Andy Hunter is always helpful, and will arrange alternatives in the event of diary clashes.’

‘Andy goes the extra mile to make preferred counsel available.’

‘The clerks are always approachable and go the extra mile to assist.’





Three Raymond Buildings


Three Raymond Buildings is regularly instructed by local and national regulators and individuals in a wide range of health and safety matters. Stephen Walsh KC is acting for a joint venture construction company in connection with an investigation brought by the Office for Nuclear Regulation concerning the death of a construction worker at the Hinkley Point nuclear power station. Elsewhere in chambers, Sarah Le Fevre is instructed for the prosecution by the Environment Agency in proceedings involving a Category 1 fish kill incident in the Lake District.

Les références

‘Excellent clerks; very responsive, progressive and achieve results.’

‘An excellent set, which is well respected with seasoned counsel.’

‘A strong set with real expertise from top to bottom.’