Mark Watson KC

Practice Areas

Mark Watson is a leading barrister in health and safety and environmental law, with over two decades of experience advising and representing clients in complex regulatory and enforcement matters. He is regularly instructed in serious cases involving multiple fatalities, gross negligence manslaughter, and corporate manslaughter, acting for multinational corporations, government departments, and senior individuals. Notable cases include R v Lloyd, concerning four deaths during a paddleboarding excursion, and R v Squibb Group Limited [2019] EWCA Crim 227.

Mark has a deep understanding of technical evidence across disciplines such as engineering, hazardous processes, disease, and construction. He is also highly experienced in civil enforcement, including appeals against improvement and prohibition notices and judicial review proceedings.

In environmental law, Mark acts for water undertakers in pollution and drinking water investigations, and has advised on the exercise of Ofwat’s powers. He appeared in the high-profile Walleys Quarry litigation, successfully resolving abatement notice appeals via mediation chaired by Lord Carnwath. He is one of the few counsel instructed in drought permit and order applications, with expertise in the legal and technical complexities involved.

Mark also has specialist experience in confiscation proceedings arising from environmental and planning offences, particularly involving company directors, and has successfully represented major organisations in noise abatement notice appeals.