Department profile
Henderson Chambers

Health & Safety

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Henderson Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Health & Safety - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Henderson Chambers maintains its reputation as a leading set that provides advice that is "top quality from both a technical and commercial perspective." They are valued by clients for complex and high-profile health and safety matters. Members are regularly called upon to represent defendant corporations in inquests and prosecutions arising from fatal accidents and breaches of the HSWA and Fire Safety Regulations. The team is also instructed by the HSE and other regulatory bodies, and has continued to appear in several high-profile matters, such as HSE v Falcon Tower Crane Services, involving a triple fatality following a crane collapse.

Jason Housden is the chambers director.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking is very good, they are very responsive.

    Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are always helpful and prompt.

    Health & Safety respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsPrashant Popat
    Star IndividualsPrashant Popat

    Prashant Popat

    Prashant Popat KC is an esteemed silk specialising in health and safety and product liability cases, who regularly acts in high-profile corporate and individual manslaughter prosecutions. His list of clients includes large corporates such as Network Rail and Thames Water, fire services and local government authorities.

    • My clients love him and so do we; he exudes sophistication, intellect and tact.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He is very calm, smooth and assured.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He is extraordinarily thorough and an outstanding advocate appreciated by judges, juries and clients alike. I will always use Prashant for high-end, more complex and high-profile cases.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • I'm blown away by his genius, he is modest and unassuming but almost hypnotic in his ability to persuade. He presents arguments cogently and is amazing. He is the James Bond of the senior Bar.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Oliver Campbell
    Band 1Oliver Campbell

    Oliver Campbell

    Oliver Campbell KC is a revered silk who has a fine reputation in the health and safety field and is involved in high-profile cases. He is an expert in fatal accident and corporate manslaughter cases. Campbell is noted for his representation of clients facing prosecution, or under investigation, for incidents relating to fire safety.

    • I was really impressed by his approach to a very complex case, and his general responsiveness.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely good.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely good and hard-working, I enjoyed working with him.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He is a very persuasive and powerful advocate.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Toby Riley-Smith
    Band 1Toby Riley-Smith

    Toby Riley-Smith

    Toby Riley-Smith KC is an experienced litigator who is regularly called upon to represent multinational corporations and government bodies. Riley-Smith is also routinely instructed to represent individuals at inquests.

    • He had a very human touch; he is so eloquent and an amazing tactician.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He is a good jury advocate, a smart talent and has good judgement.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He has a great humanity and ability to speak to anyone in very human terms. He has a natural deep empathy for people's stress and anxiety which is at the core of everything he does. He is exceptional.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tim Green
    Band 2Tim Green

    Tim Green

    Tim Green KC has considerable experience defending and prosecuting organisations in health and safety matters. He is well regarded for his handling of cases arising from breaches of the HSWA, breaches of Fire Safety Regulations and fatal accidents. He regularly represents the HSE and several local authorities, as well as public and private corporations.

    • Tim is a real asset. He is a strong team player, technically very good, and really gets it in terms of what the team and client are looking for.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Andrew Kinnier
    Band 3Andrew Kinnier

    Andrew Kinnier

    Andrew Kinnier KC handles a wide range of cases in the health and safety field. He is particularly adept at handling matters arising in the construction and railway sectors. He frequently acts for his clients at inquests.

    • Andrew considered the papers extremely quickly and laid out a strong strategy that the client was very pleased with.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Angus Withington
    Band 3Angus Withington

    Angus Withington

    Angus Withington KC is a health and safety practitioner who is particularly adept at representing clients in the construction sector in HSE investigations and prosecutions. He regularly handles matters stemming from accidents leading to death and catastrophic injury.

    • He is excellent in all aspects, including explaining issues to lay clients, drafting, and advocacy.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • Angus has a great manner about him and deals with things practically. He is affable, personable, and provides down-to-earth advice.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He is just the best, always there when I need him.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksJames Purnell
    New SilksJames Purnell

    James Purnell

    James Purnell is routinely called upon to assist defendants in investigations and prosecutions. He also has notable experience of advising regulatory bodies, including the HSE and ORR.

    • He is very good, he knows his stuff inside-out and he is incredibly hard-working.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • He's really responsive and really lovely to work with.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar
    • James is excellent.

      Health & Safety respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Henderson Chambers (7)

London (Bar)

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