Health and Safety
Outer Temple Chambers also acts for companies and individuals in Corporate Manslaughter and Health and Safety matters where companies face criminal charges and civil proceedings. We can provide large teams or separate representation if necessary. Chambers has acted in accident cases ranging from farm machinery and building sites to commercial factories and the oil and gas industry. The most notable of these is the Buncefield Oil Refinery case.
While the team’s ability to conduct criminal trials is vitally important, there are many other aspects to our work in Health and Safety.
We increasingly receive requests for advice from companies keen to ensure that they have complied with the complex and ever-expanding regulatory province.
Furthermore, many members are regularly instructed to appear before Coroners at inquests. These initial investigations into untimely deaths – often in the workplace – can become a minefield for families without appropriate assistance and advice. The introduction of the narrative verdict, a series of short statements of fact, has advanced opportunities for families to establish fault within the inquisitorial process.
Solicitors who use Chambers have noted the distinct advantage of our expertise which overlaps both criminal and civil liability. Unlike many chambers, Outer Temple provides a single port of call to deal with the most complex case from outset at inquest, passing through any criminal proceedings and, ultimately, resolving issues of civil responsibility and quantum of damages.
All walks of life are affected by Health and Safety issues and Outer Temple Chambers’ barristers are equipped to resolve those issues and deal with cases from the most straightforward to the most complex and high profile.
For further information relating to our Health and Safety team, please contact Stephen Somerville, Team Leader on 020 7353 6381.
What the directories say
Legal500, 2009
Praise could not be higher for 'first-choice QC' Richard Lissack QC at Outer Temple Chambers. Lissack is a 'true leader in his field', combining 'thorough forensic brilliance, a tactical approach, first-rate legal analysis and charm'. Notable cases include Ruttle v HSE in the House of Lords.
Ben Compton is valued as a 'good pair of safe hands' and possesses a 'lovely manner'.
The 'authoritative' Philip Mott QC is noted for impressive HSE and corporate manslaughter investigation work.
Highlights for 'junior of choice' Nicholas Medcroft include advising one of the corporate defendants in the HSE investigation into the Buncefield explosion.
Chambers and Partners, 2010
The deep bench of specialists and broad range of experience on offer at Outer Temple Chambers ensure that it remains a first choice among instructing solicitors. With a history of "illustrious achievements on both sides of the fence," the set is one of a handful that boasts experience acting for both the defence and the prosecution in market-leading cases. One man who has contributed greatly to the group's roll call of success in the field is Richard Lissack QC. He is singled out as a star performer by clients and peers: "He's in a league of his own, and is undoubtedly one of the most capable advocates at the Bar today." Active in some of the most significant cases in the market, he recently represented the defence in Ruttle v HSE, a potentially ground-breaking test case that was heard in the House of Lords. Over the past year Philip Mott QC has, like Lissack, remained busy principally acting for the prosecution but also defending several clients against corporate manslaughter and a variety of HSE charges. He wins the respect of the market for remaining "unflappable and always in control." Another "robust performer" who is "guaranteed to deliver great results" is Christopher Wilson-Smith QC. He recently acted in R v Imco Plastics, a corporate manslaughter case relating to legionella. Recommended juniors at the set include Ben Compton, an individual with "exceptional judgement who has the ability to read the mood of the court better than most barristers." He has attracted a number of positive reviews after a successful year, during which he appeared in both the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords, and acted in a number of gross negligence cases. Alongside him lie practitioners of the calibre of Stephen Climie. Climie is prized for his expertise in fatal accident prosecutions, and strikes peers as "a very good, technical barrister with a calm and assured demeanour." Thomas Leeper is renowned for his defence and prosecution work in fatality cases occurring in maritime, construction, rail and care home settings. He receives consistent applause from the market, as does Nicholas Medcroft, whose "prodigious work ethic" is identified as one of his key strengths. He acted for one of the defendants in the Buncefield litigation.
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