James Leonard KC represents the RNLI in high profile inquest in Bournemouth

James Leonard KC represented the RNLI in a high profile inquest after the deaths of a 12 and 17 year old who drowned after an “intense” rip current at Bournemouth Beach in March 2023.

Following an Inquest, Dorset senior coroner Rachael Griffin said she was satisfied nothing further could have been done to prevent their deaths following the “unexpected anomaly of nature”. She praised the “brave, prompt and determined intervention” of the lifeguards on duty, without which “more lives would undoubtedly have been lost”.

James Leonard KC represented the Royal National Lifeboat Institution whose general manager, Peter Dawes stated, “Sunnah and Joe followed all the safety advice on the beach but still lost their lives – this is a stark reminder that the sea is unpredictable and going into the sea can always carry risk.” Mr Dawes paid tribute to the “courageous actions in very challenging circumstances” of the lifeguards and other emergency services. “We will continue to work with our partners to reach as many people as we can with our water safety messages,” he added.

The Inquest was covered by all major national news outlets. James was instructed by Peter James and Toby Roche of  DAC Beachcroft.

Find out more

James Leonard KC specialises predominantly in Health, Safety & Environmental Law and has an established practice in Disciplinary & Regulatory cases. He has a considerable background in complex industrial accident cases, fraud and corruption cases, financial services, multi-jurisdictional confiscation proceedings and Public Law. James has been a leading Junior in two Counsel cases since 2005 and was appointed King’s Counsel in 2022.

To find out more about James, contact Matt Sale on +44 (0)20 7427 4910 or Andy Hunter on +44 (0)20 7427 4905.

News 15 Oct, 2024