Introduction
The senior members of the team have decades of experience advising businesses, their directors, and senior managers in connection with their engagement with the police and regulatory bodies, often following a serious workplace incident or accident. A significant element of the team’s work centres on health and safety related breaches which cause death or serious injury and therefore result in police led manslaughter investigations or Health and Safety Executive led regulatory investigations.
However, the team also has extensive experience of the regulatory frameworks that impact upon food safety, the social care sector , trading standards , fire safety and environmental matters. The team is first and foremost a 24/7 response and criminal litigation team but as a result of its experience, it is also regularly instructed by a wide range of businesses to advise on regulatory compliance and risk management in the areas highlighted above.
A unique aspect of the team is that whilst its offering is corporate, it has through experience, a thorough understanding of insurance issues and in particular underwriting and claims handling. As a result the team will always examine and advise on policies that may provide indemnity thereby ensuring, where appropriate, legal expenses policy coverage is maintained and dovetails with the independent corporate advice that the Pannone team will provide.
A representative summary of recent and current examples of where our team has supported businesses and/or their directors / senior managers following serious workplace accidents or incidents include:
- ongoing representation of a senior manager employed in the demolition industry in connection with a joint police / HSE investigation following the Didcot Power Station collapse which involved four fatalities
- ongoing representation of an individual in connection with the joint Police / HSE investigation following the crush at the O2 Academy Brixton in which 2 people lost their lives.
- representation of Individuals in connection with the Fuller and separately Manchester Arena inquiries
- representation of a global manufacturing company in relation to a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive
- representation of one of the biggest business groups in the UK in relation to a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive
- representation of several national care homes and social housing businesses in relation to their involvement in inquests and actual or potential engagement with the Care Quality Commission, Care Inspectorate Wales and Health and Safety Executive.
A summary of recent and current examples of where our team has supported business in connection with ongoing compliance and risk management include:
- ongoing representation of a global manufacturing company requiring urgent strategic advice to ensure it complied with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (“COSHH”)
- representation of a company that provided leisure facilities in connection with a near drowning, it’s relationship with its local Environmental Health team and the re writing of relevant operating procedures
- advising a supported accommodation provider in respect of its fire safety responsibilities.
“Pannone has emerged as a specialist in the area of health and safety. They have recruited the best from other firms in the marketplace and are now well poised to become a big player. Their attention to detail and strength in depth enables them to provide a comprehensive service to their clients.”
The team
Pannone Corporate’s Regulatory team is accessible 24/7 to provide specialist crisis management expertise at each stage of any investigatory or regulatory process. The team advises clients across the full spectrum of health and safety and regulatory matters and has experience of working across a wide range of sectors. It excels in the defence of businesses and individuals subject to criminal investigations.
Bill Dunkerley
How we can help
Early intervention by our team will have a significant positive impact on your regulatory investigation and any potential enforcement action by the regulators.
We excel in defending businesses and individuals under routine or criminal regulatory investigations. Whatever you face we have years of experience advising clients in similar situations and will use that expertise to your advantage.
Our experience includes:
- health and safety
- corporate manslaughter
- gross negligence manslaughter
- coroner’s inquests
- environmental law
- food safety and hygiene
- Trading Standards cases
- fire safety
- care quality
- anti-bribery and corruption
What you say about us
“David Walton has been listed as a Leading Individual in Legal 500 and a named individual in Chambers and Partners for health and safety for many years and as such is a highly respected figure in the sector.”
“He is exceptionally dedicated to his clients, knowledgeable and a good tactician.”
“…a very experienced solicitor in this field and the go to guy if you want a thorough preparation of your case.”
Bill Dunkerley is, “exceptionally hardworking and clever,” and, “a star of the future; he is always willing to go that extra mile for clients”.