Simon Clegg

Year of call:

2005

Education:

2003 - University of Leeds, LLB

2005 - Nottingham Law School, BVC

Career:

2004 - Pupil at Sovereign Chambers (to Mark McKone)

2005 - Tenant at Sovereign Chambers

2015 - Sovereign Chambers becomes Park Square Barristers

Appointments:

2020 - Deputy District Judge

2019 - Judge the First-Tier Tribunal - Immigration & Asylum Chamber List B of the Panel of Specialist Regulatory Advocates

2018 - Grade 4 Prosecutor Attorney General's Regional Panel - B Panel Director of Pupillage at Park Square Barristers

2015 - Grade-3 prosecutor

2014 - Assistant Junior of the North Eastern Circuit

2013 - Advocacy Trainer for the North Eastern Circuit CPS Advocate Confiscation Panel

2012 - CPS Advocate Panel Environment Agency Advocate Panel - Grade C Health & Safety Executive Advocate Panel - Grade C

2009 - Attorney General's List of Approved Counsel

2008 - Trainer of Expert Police Witnesses (drugs & counter-terrorism)

Memberships:

North Eastern Circuit Council of Immigration Judges

Ranked Tier 1 for Business and Regulatory Crime (including Health & Safety) – The Legal 500 (2024)

Ranked Band 2 for Environment – Chambers and Partners (2024) – 5 years ranked.

Ranked Band 2 for Environment – Chambers & Partners (2023).

Ranked Tier 1 for Construction, Planning and – The Legal 500 (2020)

“Simon Clegg is incisive and clear in his analysis of a case. He has an ability to distil a lot of information into a very concise case summary. His advocacy thereafter is very proficient.” Chambers and Partners (2024)

Simon is a very measured and responsive junior. He is confident and has a great manner with clients.” The Legal 500 (2024)

A dynamic advocate in court. He is incisive and considered in his case analysis.” Legal 500 (2023)

“Simon Clegg of Park Square Barristers specialises in the prosecution of environmental offences on behalf of environmental law enforcement bodies. He is regularly instructed in significant investigations, including those relating to waste management, chemicals and water pollution.” Chambers & Partners 2023

“The breadth of Simon’s legal practice across civil and crime gives him an edge over others and he has the skill and incisiveness to cut through to the real issues. He also has excellent judgement and always looks to find a practical answer where there is a difficult issue to resolve. Add to that, he has a charming and pleasant manner both in and out of court.” The Legal 500 (2021)

“He is excellent.” Chambers and Partners (2021)

“A very good lawyer who can be trusted to do an excellent job.” The Legal 500 (2020)

“He is very good at the analysis, his written work is always excellent and his approach is very persuasive and pleasant.” – Chambers and Partners (2020)

Simon Clegg prosecutes and defends in serious cases brought by fire & rescue authorities, the Environment Agency, Health & Safety Executive and local authorities. He often provides pre-charge advice in relation to complex and large-scale operations which lead to proceedings in the Magistrates, Crown and High Court.

Recent cases include:

R v APD: Prosecution under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in respect of a block of student flats which posed a risk to human safety. This case also included charges for a health and safety consultant who provided an incompetent fire assessment report.

R v JJCE [2019] EWHC 3667 (Admin): Led by David Brook QC. Illegal depositing of construction waste on kettle ponds leading to the death and destruction of a European protected species of newts. Case stated appeal on the interpretation of the sentencing guidelines for environmental offending.

R v A & Others: Led by David Brooke QC in ten-handed prosecution relating to the illegal depositing of waste.

R v Douglas: Prosecution of waste activities culminating in a large fire which led to parliamentary involvement.

R v C Ltd: Defence of company following serious injury at workplace involving chainsaw being used up a tree.

R v B: Defence of landlord in relation to dangerous residential premises.

R v Atkinson: Prosecution of incompetent and unlicensed gas-fitter who created risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

R v Letterbox: Prosecution of company following serious injury caused by unguarded machinery.

Since 2012 Simon has been a panellist advocate for both the EA and HSE. Simon has experience of private prosecutions and is often instructed to advise upon the merits of potential prosecutions at an early stage.

Simon also undertakes inquest work, and his cases have included:

  • Death in custody following consumption of psychoactive substance
  • Driver in police pursuit killed in multi-vehicle RTA
  • Death of dockworker due to health & safety failures of employer
  • Teenager misdiagnosed by GP

Contact Simon’s clerks

Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603

Patrick Urbina on 0113 213 5250

Imogen Brown on 0113 2135225

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