Ranking tables

Health & Safety | UK Bar

Midlands (Bar)

This section incorporates both contentious and non contentious health and safety issues. On the contentious side it includes defence and prosecution of companies and senior executives facing investigations or actions initiated by the Health and Safety Executive and other regulatory bodies including criminal breaches of the law such as corporate manslaughter. Public inquest work is also included. On the non-contentious side the section covers regulatory compliance advice, risk management and training. The health & safety issues which fall under the remit of this section are very broad from general health and safety at work to food safety, fire safety and issues affecting the waste, utilities, nuclear, rail and other industries.

Rankings overview for Sets

1

  1. Ben Mills
    Ben Mills St Philips Chambers14 Years Ranked
  2. James Puzey
    James Puzey Six Pump Court15 Years Ranked
  3. Bernard ThorogoodNo5 Barristers' Chambers
  4. Tim PoleNo5 Barristers' Chambers
2

  1. Ben Williams
    Ben Williams St Philips Chambers8 Years Ranked
  2. Christopher HopkinsNo5 Barristers' Chambers
  3. Ian BridgeNo5 Barristers' Chambers

All Sets profiles

1

Band 1

  1. No5 Barristers' Chambers
    1
    No5 Barristers' Chambers
    Health & Safety
    2026 | Band 1 | 13 Years Ranked

    No5 Barristers' Chambers is a highly regarded set on the Midlands Circuit, and is regularly instructed to both prosecute and defend a wide range of health and safety offences. Members are noted for their adroit representation of individual and corporate defendants, as well as several regulators and local authorities. A number of tenants are on the Regulatory List of Prosecution Counsel for the HSE, EA and CQC, and the team also has experience of appearing at inquests. Members at the set recently prosecuted on HSE v Johnsons Textile Services in relation to an appeal, where the defendant was fined £400,000. Instructing solicitors note that the group takes a "balanced, pragmatic and well-informed approach" and provides "excellent advice".

    Danny Griffiths is the director of clerking in Birmingham.

2

Band 2

  1. St Philips Chambers
    2
    St Philips Chambers
    Health & Safety
    2026 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked

    St Philips Chambers is noted for its expert representation of local authorities and regulatory bodies such as the HSE and FSA in health and safety prosecutions arising from a wide range of offences. Members are also regularly called upon to act for defendants in complex cases and in inquest proceedings. The team is particularly well regarded for its handling of matters involving catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Recently the set acted on HSE and EA v Biodynamics Ltd, a case relating to a serious explosion after two employees were carrying out maintenance work on a buffer tank.

    James Withers is the senior clerk.