Fire, Safety, Health, Environment and Trading Standards
LA's team draws on a wealth of experience and talent when advising and assisting clients involved in investigations and prosecutions. Whilst well known for high profile prosecution work, our team also acts for many private and commercial clients. The team is able to provide advice and assistance in the immediate aftermath of an incident, as investigations by the authorities and those they investigate progress, and throughout any prosecution or other court process.
Our experience extends to advising about enforcement notices which authorities have the power to serve, including appeals against them.
Our cross-office team is described by Legal 500 as "outstanding.” Members of our team have acted in a number of landmark cases over the last few years, including:
- R v Tangerine Confectionery Limited; R v Veolia ES (UK) Limited [2011] EWCA Crim 2015
- R v Marks & Spencer plc and others [2011]
- R v EGS Limited [2009] EWCA Crim 1942
- R v N Limited and C Limited [2008] EWCA Crim 1223
A selection of other cases in which our team members have been instructed are set out here.
Health and safety
Our team is very well known for its work in the health and safety field, and undertakes both prosecution and defence work in the context of criminal prosecutions. We act in cases involving the full range of health and safety offences, including manslaughter, and whether investigated or prosecuted by the police, the Health & Safety Executive or local authorities.
Fire
Our experience in health and safety extends to matters of fire safety, including matters relating to the recent changes to the legislation.
Environmental
Acting for both commercial and private clients alike, our team advises during investigations and prosecutions by the Environment Agency. We have had considerable success in interviews and negotiations with the Agency to avoid charges being laid, or having them withdrawn.
Trading Standards
We also assist clients in relation to trading standards investigations and prosecutions. Our service covers a spectrum of issues, including food, product safety, fair trading (including intellectual property) and packaging. Previous cases include defending a household name following injuries caused to a toddler resulting from the collapse of a television stand, as well as prosecutions for misrepresentation and associated confiscation proceedings.
Other services
LA's team has a proactive approach and we can assist clients with internal training to assist them to operate within what is a complex regulatory framework. We are also often called upon to provide advice upon regulatory matters in connection with the sale or acquisition of businesses.
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