At the helm of Burges Salmon LLP‘s Bristol-based practice is dispute resolution specialist Ann Metherall, who is well-regarded for her experience in handling the full remit of domestic and international health and safety matters, particularly those in the rail sector; Metherall also heads up the firm’s 24-hour major incident response offering. The team is formed of ‘highly talented lawyers’ and is well-placed to act on fatal and catastrophic matters under public scrutiny, spanning sectors from the energy and transport industries, to the leisure sector. Guy Bastable is another key practitioner, who harnesses expertise in regulatory and criminal investigation cases, with fire safety, food safety and environmental protection issues being some notable areas of focus. ‘Standout lawyer’ Charlotte Whitaker is also worthy of mention for her work on multi-fatality litigation, and Sam Aldous also contributes to the firm's key work.

Clyde & Co‘s health and safety offering has a strong reputation for its capabilities acting for corporate and insurer clients on the plethora of complex, catastrophic and fatal health and safety work of significant value. The group’s client portfolio features well-known names such as AXA and Aviva, and its workload ranges from crisis response and accident and investigation matters, to occupational disease-related issues. Chris Morrison, who splits his time between Manchester and London, and ‘star operator’ Matthew Harrington oversee the team. Further names to note include Rod Hunt; ‘standout individuals’ Stephanie Lunt and Alan Kells; Mark Brookes; and Richard Crockford, who has over 30 years’ experience in cases ranging from corporate manslaughter matters to regulatory defence work. Diana Hardesty departed to DAC Beachcroft LLP in November 2023.

The practice at DAC Beachcroft LLP handles a complex and varied workload, from acting for clients in complex and sensitive matters of corporate manslaughter, to advising on the due diligence aspects of health and safety. Building safety is an area of focus for the practice and is one of the areas of expertise of team co-lead Fiona Gill. Gill leads alongside Colin Moore, who is particularly experienced in handling corporate and gross negligence manslaughter cases. Claire Moore is equipped to handle the full array of investigatory matters, including those relating to food hygiene and fire safety. Team changes include the arrival of Diana Hardesty, who joined the group from Clyde & Co in November 2023, and the departure of Roger Cartwright, who left to join Squire Patton Boggs in March 2024.

‘Standout star in the field’ and global head of EHS Paul Verrico helms the practice at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP from its Leeds office. Advising clients in the aftermath of complex fatal or catastrophic incidents forms a significant portion of the team’s workload, and the group frequently represents defendants at trial and in high-profile inquests. The practice's client roster is formed of well-known names, many of which Tim Hill acts for in cases where the clients’ reputation is at stake; Hill splits his time between Newcastle and London. Sarah Valentine is another practitioner to note whose specialisms include handling complex mental health-related health and safety work, while Philip Crosbie is noted for his ‘outstanding commitment to clients’; both are based in Leeds. Amy Sadro left in December 2023.

The department at Kennedys has a strong reputation for its ability to handle the full remit of sensitive and high-profile matters for a plethora of well-known clients; the group's workload ranges from defending clients in gross negligence manslaughter trials to handling fatal incident and accident inquests. ‘Legendary figure’ Daniel McShee is noted as being ‘the most in-demand lawyer in the safety field’ by clients, and is renowned for his work in rail-related inquiries and prosecutions. David Wright‘s workload spans a varied range of sectors; he is particularly adept at advising defendants on regulatory matters, and handling investigations and prosecutions. McShee and Wright co-lead the practice, which also includes Stephanie Power, who is regarded as ‘one of the best solicitors in the field’  by clients, and Susan Cha.

‘Tactically astute true expert’ Kevin Bridges oversees the group at Pinsent Masons LLP from the firm’s office in Manchester; Bridges is well regarded for his broad expertise which ranges from advising on the complex regulatory aspects of health and safety, to representing clients in corporate manslaughter investigations. The wider team represents clients in high-profile serious accidents, including cases with overseas aspects, and handles work spanning hazardous sectors, including the transport, construction and manufacturing industries. Laura White is a name to note in London with experience in defending clients in high-profile cases, which often involve fatal accidents; White often works alongside ‘excellent advocate’ Zoe Betts. Phil Newton is a key name at associate level.

The group at Shoosmiths LLP is considered ‘second-to-none’ by clients and is headed up by the ‘exceptional, no-nonsense lawyer’ Hayley Saunders, who works from the firm’s Birmingham hub and has strong expertise in providing non-contentious compliance advice and in defending clients in investigations and prosecutions. Major disaster response and management is a key area of specialism for the team, and one of Phil Ryan‘s prominent focus areas, while regulatory crime specialist Charles Arrand is described as ‘a star of the regulatory field’. Rubina Zaidi is also noteworthy for her work assisting with national public inquiries. Joanne Sear departed to an in-house role in June 2024, and former co-lead Roy Tozer retired from practice in June 2023.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s group is well placed to assist its sizable client roster with work including advising on building and fire safety; product and food safety; crisis management issues; and the regulatory aspects of criminal defence matters. The ‘absolutely excellent’ David Young helms the offering alongside ‘brilliant leader’ Erin Shoesmith, who is based in Manchester, and Stuart Wardlaw, who splits his time between Leeds and Edinburgh and harnesses 35 years’ experience in the sector. Sufia Saqib‘s workload includes handling the safety aspects of AI products for a major tech company, and Leeds-based Adrian Mansbridge is adept at defending the full range of clients in regulatory offence cases.

The contentious-focused team at BCL Solicitors LLP is well equipped to act for its roster of clients in complex and sensitive health and safety offence matters, including disaster-related issues, and catastrophic and fatal injury cases; police and HSE investigations also form a large part of the team’s workload. The group also advises on business-critical safety issues and sits as part of the firm’s wider business crime and regulation offering. The team is headed up by ‘phenomenal lawyer’ Richard Reichman alongside Tom McNeill who ‘possesses a fierce intellect’. Suzanne Gallagher has left the firm.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s group is well equipped to assist its roster of clients with high-profile inquests, as well as investigations into catastrophic and fatal incidents of national significance; the team works collaboratively with the firm’s wider disputes practice, and acts for a client roster spanning a range of sectors from the telecoms to energy industries. David Bennett has experience advising on incident investigations across the full remit of industry sectors.

Noted as being ‘dedicated to providing excellent support’ to her company, director and senior manager clients, Nina Dhillon is one of the co-heads of Keoghs LLP‘s offering, and has significant expertise defending clients in complex and sensitive matters of breached regulatory duty. Fellow co-head Chris Newton has experience in the full range of matters including gross negligence and corporate manslaughter claims. ‘One in a million’ Gemma Rush is a standout member of the practice, and is well placed to advise clients on investigation and prosecution matters brought by public bodies, the police and the HSE, alongside her capabilities in handling high-profile inquests.

At Kingsley Napley LLP, criminal litigation specialist Jonathan Grimes has experience handling matters relating to corporate manslaughter and health and safety, while Melinka Berridge is considered ‘absolutely first-rate in every aspect of work’ by clients, and Hannah Eales is a regulatory and fire safety expert who ‘inspires total confidence’. The three co-head the practice, which acts for clients at a domestic and international level and handles issues spanning a range of sectors from the care home and healthcare space to the waste management and recycling industries. Sophie Wood has experience acting on the full remit of high-profile work.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team is noted by clients as being an ‘incredible resource’ and has a strong reputation for its contentious and non-contentious capabilities, particularly providing compliance advice. Team lead Caroline May harnesses experience in both areas, particularly in the energy, transport and construction sectors; she also handles asbestos cases, industrial accidents and public health-related cases. Criminal specialist Neil O’May has 25 years’ experience assisting with police and HSE investigations. Lucy Bruce Jones, who is equipped to advise on the full range of matters, including providing complex compliance advice, and the ‘first-class’ Holly Stebbing, are further key names to note.

RPC is noted as being ‘the ultimate go-to firm for catastrophic and fatal injury cases’ and is well placed to handle the related criminal investigations. The circumstances of the cases the team handles range from RTAs, to building collapses and explosions, to matters of gross negligence; the team also leverages the firm’s regulatory expertise to handle health and safety regulatory work. Mamata Dutta is a key practitioner in the team, noted for her ‘very strong intellect and emotional sensitivity’, while Gavin Reese helms the offering and ‘exudes gravitas and knowledge’. Thom Lumley bolstered the practice after joining from Plexus Legal Gateway in September 2023.

Squire Patton Boggs has experience assisting clients with complex matters, which predominantly involve accident and internal investigations work at a national and international level across a varied range of industry sectors; advising on the compliance and regulatory aspects of health and safety issues also forms a large part of the team’s workload. Rob Elvin heads up the team from Manchester and is considered ‘the number one person you would want by your side in a crisis’, while Oliver Bristow focuses on fire and building safety mandates. Team changes include the April 2024 departure of Gary Lewis to Bexley Beaumont and the May 2024 arrival of experienced practitioner Georgie Messent to the firm's London office from PwC LLP.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s practice has a strong reputation for its abilities handling the full remit of work, including representing claimants and their families in high-profile and sensitive severe and fatal accident matters. Further, the team is well-equipped to handle regulatory mandates, advising on issues from crisis and risk management to situations of potential reputational damage. The practice is co-led by Bristol-based Jon Cooper who is regarded by clients as ‘amongst the very best senior solicitors in the country in the health and safety field’, alongside Kevin Elliott in Leeds whose ‘knowledge of the law is unparalleled’. Ashley Borthwick is also in Bristol and has experience acting in serious workplace incidents.

Beale & Co‘s practice is co-led by Sheena Sood and Bristol-based Joanna Lewis. The team is experienced in handling high-profile matters including large-scale construction project-related health and safety issues and accidents, and is described by clients as ‘the top pick for any construction company facing prosecution’. Further, the practice is well equipped to handle corporate and gross negligence manslaughter matters, as well as those involving fatal incidents.

‘Real star in the sector’ Gary Rubin has significant expertise in HSE investigation matters, as well as those involving gross negligence and corporate manslaughter elements, and leads the practice at Blackfords LLP. The team represents individual defendants, as well as company defendants, facing prosecution following often fatal accidents in the workplace. Matters are often high-profile and span the range of industry sectors, with the healthcare and rail sectors being key focus areas. Further names to note in the team include Trevor Francis and Gary Bloxsome.

Lukas Rootman splits his time between CMS‘ Sheffield and London offices and leads its health and safety practice. Rootman has over 20 years’ experience and is equipped to cover the range of work, advising companies on the regulatory aspects of health and safety matters, assisting with compliance-related issues, and providing guidance on the establishment of policy. Sheffield’s Aimie Farmer regularly assists Rootman across contentious work such as defending corporations, and non-contentious work, particularly regarding building and fire safety. Rosalind Morgan is a key name based in Aberdeen.

DLA Piper‘s practice head Teresa Hitchcock , who splits her time between London and Sheffield, harnesses expertise which spans environmental, product and food, health, licensing and gambling safety matters. The wider group has strong capabilities in handling non-contentious matters including advising on the compliance and risk management aspects of health and safety for its portfolio of international and domestic clients. Nick Rock in London has experience advising clients on bringing new products to the EU market, and Ailish Oxenforth is also a key practitioner.

Fieldfisher‘s team has experience in advising its clients on health and safety operation strategies, providing the related training and implementation support, as well as defending clients facing prosecution for incidents which have occurred in the workplace. ‘Key performer’ Andrew Sanderson oversees the group which is well equipped to handle matters spanning industries including the energy, infrastructure and transport sectors. Team changes include the November 2023 arrival of Beth Thompson from Squire Patton Boggs and the April 2024 departure of David Carmichael to Harrison Drury & Co.

The regulatory-focused health and safety group at Weightmans LLP is formed of ‘excellent practitioners’ and is headed up by Crispin Kenyon, who leads the practice from the firm’s London office and is noted for his ‘unsurpassed expertise and experience in this field’; Kenyon has noteworthy experience in handling prosecution and investigation matters and inquests. The practice also includes multiple national team leads, including Liverpool’s Dewi Ap-Thomas, Leeds-based David Lewis, Glasgow’s Seonaid Busby and Andrew Brammer who works from Birmingham. Also in London is corporate risk specialist Lili Oliver.

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s ‘approachable, dependable and trustworthy’ practice is co-led by Adam Kendall who works across a number of the firm’s national offices and is well equipped to advise well-known clients on prosecutions and investigations following fatalities, alongside Bristol-based Hannah Taylor and London’s Stuart Marchant. Advising on the compliance and procedural aspects of health and safety mandates also forms a large part of the team’s workload. Louise Mansfield is regarded as ‘exceptional’. 

The ‘exceptional’ group at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is overseen by Jeremy Bark and has capabilities in inquest and prosecution matters in particular, advising on cases with enforcement issues, as well as advising on the impact of reputational damage which may result from prosecutions. The team has particular regulatory expertise, which is leveraged when handling the health and safety and fire safety aspects of various transactions.

Fisher Scoggins Waters LLP is well equipped to advise its roster of clients on the plethora of issues surrounding health and safety investigations; the group is also able to assist clients in matters involving breaches of regulations, often in cases where severe injuries have occurred. Mark Scoggins and Michael Appleby are noted for their ‘uncanny ability to get to the heart of a case from the outset’, and Charlotte Waters is a health and safety and construction specialist; the trio co-lead the practice.

Kizzy Augustin leads Mishcon de Reya LLP’s health and safety practice, which sits within the firm’s white collar crime and investigations group. The team is well placed to advise organisations and senior individuals during prosecutions and inquests, with notable experience in fire and building safety mandates. Augustin has noteworthy experience in health and safety and criminal regulatory matters, and is described by clients as a ‘stand out’ individual.