Burges Salmon LLP’s health and safety team is noted in particular for its activity in the rail sector, where the firm is regularly called on to assist with major accident matters. The range of sector expertise within the firm remains broad, and covers industries such as food, agriculture, construction, and retail. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Ann Metherall heads the team and also leads the firm’s dispute resolution group as well as its major incidents response team; she is frequently sought-out by rail sector clients. Multi-fatality incidents are an area of expertise for Charlotte Whitaker. Sam Aldous is also a name to note in the team. Sian Edmunds left the firm for an in-house position in January 2023.

Hailed as ‘the go-to firm in the South West for the high-profile and complex cases’, DAC Beachcroft LLP has a strong client base consisting of companies active in construction, insurance, real estate, and the public sector, amongst others. Covering all major areas of health and safety, the practice is also noted for its specialism advising clients on matters relating to environmental law. Chris Baranowski leads the firm’s national offering from Leeds, while regulatory and crime specialist Richard Ottley heads up the South West team. Prosecutions and investigations relating to gross negligence manslaughter and other offences involving fatalities form part of Peter James' advisory portfolio.

Osborne Clarke LLP regularly handles high-profile inquests and health and safety investigations on a national level, where the firm advises both public and private sector clients. The practice is also active in compliance, assisting companies with wellbeing strategies and in the management of occupational stress, in addition to supporting media and entertainment clients with health and safety matters in film and TV production. Mary Lawrence acts as practice head, specialising in contentious work as well as crisis management, while Matthew Kyle focuses on regulatory crime, particularly in relation to fire and building safety. Georgia Lythgoe complements her health and safety expertise with experience in environmental crime.

The wide-ranging practice at TLT is noted in particular for its sector strengths pertaining to industries such as leisure, food and drink, public sector, and real estate. The practice works closely together with its counterparts in Manchester and London, making it a popular choice for multinational clients and domestic public bodies. Kerry Gwyther leads the team and is well-versed across incident management, investigations, and prosecutions by regional and national regulators. Solicitor advocate Duncan Reed, who is singled out for his ‘balanced and calm approach’, is a key name for clients facing regulatory prosecution.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP excels across the full breadth of health and safety, including risk and crisis management, compliance issues, and enforcement-related matters such as HSE investigations and inquests. Leeds’ Kevin Elliott leads the team jointly with Jon Cooper in Bristol; Cooper has extensive experience in this area, extending to both strategic and governance advice as well as prosecution and defence. Ashley Borthwick regularly handles the investigation of and enforcement surrounding serious workplace incidents, and is also well-versed in matters relating to product safety.

Praised as a ‘very capable firm that is arguably punching above its weight’, Ashfords LLP acts for a wide-range of clients including regional healthcare trusts, water companies, and international food businesses, which call upon the firm for advisory and defence purposes. Ian Manners, who specialises in health and safety risks, leads the Bristol and Exeter-based team. Clients in the marine sector turn to Lara Moore for her expertise pertaining to harbour revisions and marine regulations, while Zoe Hunt regularly advises on inquest matters.

Browne Jacobson LLP covers a wide array of health and safety matters, ranging from due diligence on corporate transactions to complex investigations relating to corporate manslaughter and fatal incidents. The practice acts on the side of both public and private sector clients, including those active in healthcare, education, and agriculture. Andrew Hopkin leads the firm’s national offering from Nottingham; key contacts in the South West are Dale Collins who is adept at handling regulatory investigations, and Nigel Lyons whose practice centres around criminal law.

Foot Anstey assists clients in the prevention of health and safety risks on the one hand, while also representing them before such regulatory bodies as the HSE. Nathan Peacey, who also heads the firm's wider risk advisory group, is the key contact, adept at handling matters relating to corporate governance, regulatory investigations, and corporate crime. Tim Williamson complements his expertise in health and safety with a focus on the sports sector.

RPC excels in insurance law, with a strong track-record in liability and professional indemnity policies and in regularly handling fatalities arising from gross negligence and corporate manslaughter. The practice is part of the firm’s wider regulatory offering, and works closely with its corporate, construction and commercial disputes departments in particular. Led by Gavin Reese and Fiona Hahlo, the group’s comprehensive expertise covers both contentious and regulatory matters.

Praised for its ‘deep knowledge and understanding of a wide-range of topics’, Bevan Brittan LLP fields a broad health and safety practice, handling both contentious and non-contentious matters from a prosecution and defence angle. Birmingham’s Adam Kendall, London-based Stuart Marchant, and Hannah Taylor in Bristol jointly head the group, with Taylor counting regulatory scrutiny and intervention amongst her areas of expertise.

Led by Andrew Oldland KC who splits his time between Exeter and London, Michelmores LLP excels in crisis management with a focus on workplace fatalities, serious injuries, and marine safety. The practice counts a number of clients active in the public sector amongst its portfolio, while also being a popular choice for companies active in agriculture, manufacturing and construction.