Craig Hassall KC

Head of Regulatory Team

Year of call

1999 · Silk 2021

Career details

Education

1993

Thomas Sumpter Comprehensive School, Scunthorpe

1995

John Leggott Sixth Form College, Scunthorpe

1998

University College, Oxford, BA Jurisprudence (2:1)

1999

Inns of Court School of Law, BVC (‘very competent’)

Career

1999

Pupil at Sovereign Chambers

2000

Tenant at Sovereign Chambers

2004

Young Barristers’ Committee of the Bar Council

2006

Junior of the North Eastern Circuit

2012

Accredited advocacy trainer

2015

Sovereign Chambers becomes Park Square Barristers

2015

Head of the regulatory & public team at Park Square Barristers

2016

Legally Qualified Chair of Police Misconduct Hearings for the Police & Crime Commissioners of the North Eastern Region

2017

Vulnerable Witness - Advocacy Training Facilitator

2021

Silk

Appointments

2009

Pupillage supervisor

2012

Grade 4 Prosecutor and appointed to the Rape Panel
List A of the Panel of Specialist Regulatory Advocates

2013

Panel A of the Prosecution Counsel for the Serious Fraud Office

2015

Head of regulatory & public team

2019

Judicial appointment to the First-Tier Tribunal
Criminal Recorder appointment

Memberships

North Eastern Circuit

Criminal Bar Association

Health and Safety Lawyers Association

United Kingdom Environmental Law Association

Awards

1999

Sweet & Maxwell Prize, Inner Temple

2017

Certificate of Commendation, Immigration Enforcement

Regulatory & Public

Crime

Inquests & Inquiries

Ranked in Tier 1 for Business and Regulatory Crime (including Health and Safety) – Legal 500 (2026)

Ranked as a Band 1 Silk for Health & Safety – Chambers & Partners (2026) – 5 years ranked

“’Craig constructs compelling arguments to persuade juries and judges. His mitigations are silky smooth, and he is urbane in the extreme.”

– Legal 500 (2026)

“”He is a lovely human being, incredibly easy to work with. Clients really like him, he is straight-talking and he explains complex legal issues in a way which is easy to digest.”

– Chambers & Partners (2026)

Head of the Regulatory and Public Law Team at PSQB, Craig prosecutes and defends in a wide range of regulatory cases. His regulatory practice includes serious health and safety and healthcare cases, usually involving fatalities. He has particular experience in trials of corporate and gross negligence manslaughter. Craig’s regulatory crime practice also encompasses criminal proceedings brought by a wide range of other regulators in the areas of environmental crime, trading standards, fire safety and food safety. He has a particular interest in cases involving allergen control.

Craig has extensive experience of representing corporate defendants. He can be relied upon to approach a case commercially and with a view to avoiding reputational damage. He is experienced in explaining the commercial reality of corporate accounts to lay and professional tribunals and regularly advises boards of directors in relation to criminal and coronial proceedings.

Craig has represented both regulators and professionals in the disciplinary processes of several different professional bodies and sits as a Legally Qualified Chair in Police Misconduct Hearings.

Craig’s knowledge of cases involving a wide range of prosecuting authorities enables him to bring a unique perspective to cases that transcend more than one area. He has been involved in many large cases with multiple defendants, regularly dealing with sensitive issues of disclosure.

Public Access

Craig Hassall KC is qualified to accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Craig Hassall KC is an employee of Craig Hassall Ltd

"A fantastic advocate who is able to deal with the most testing courts or tribunals."

Chambers & Partners (2026)

"Craig Hassall is an exceptional Health & Safety specialist. He has an excellent manner with clients and communicates in a way that they understand. His strategy is always sophisticated."

Chambers & Partners (2026)

"Craig brings a prosecutorial perspective which defendants value. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of prosecutors and is very bright and sensible.”

Chambers & Partners (2025)

‘Craig is a stand-out silk in health and safety.’, ‘A class act who shows excellent judgement and real sensitivity towards his clients.’ and ‘A measured and unflappable Silk’

Legal 500 (2025)

“Craig is a class act. He shows excellent judgement, responds quickly and is fantastic with clients.”

Chambers & Partners (2025)

"Craig is knowledgeable and well-prepared; a probing and effective questioner; a persuasive and powerful presence, and above all, a pleasure to be in a case with."

Legal 500 (2024)

"Craig is excellent and can cut through any complex case to the heart of the issues. He gives clients confidence and handles sensitive issues extremely well."

Chambers & Partners (2024)

Legal Directory Quotes and Testimonials

“Craig is a fearless and technically brilliant advocate. He is a pleasure to work with and to watch.” – Legal 500 (2024)
“Craig is knowledgeable and well-prepared; a probing and effective questioner; a persuasive and powerful presence, and above all, a pleasure to be in a case with.” – Legal 500 (2024)
“Craig is excellent and can cut through any complex case to the heart of the issues. He gives clients confidence and handles sensitive issues extremely well.” – Chambers & Partners (2024)
“Craig has a commanding courtroom presence. He cross-examines defendants with measured – and devastatingly effective – calm. His jury speeches are hugely persuasive.” – The Legal 500 (2024)
“Craig is insightful and incisive. He is accessible, empathetic and hungry to do more in the space.” – Chambers & Partners (2023)
“Craig is a fantastic barrister. The quality of the work he produces is first class, and his advocacy is powerful but in tune with the mood of the room.” – Legal 500 (2023)
“A superstar. Craig is personable, exceptionally intelligent, driven and empathetic. Clients warm to him instantly.’ ‘an excellent silk‘ and ‘fantastic with the most vulnerable clients‘.” – Legal 500 (2023)
“He strikes exactly the right tone at health and safety hearings and inquests and has a good rapport with clients.” “He is calm under pressure, level-headed and strategic.” “He’s able to deal with technical, complex cases.” – Chambers & Partners (2022)
“Craig is an exceptionally gifted counsel. He quickly instills confidence in clients. A silk with an eye for the details but never loses sight of the bigger picture.” – Legal 500 (2022)
“The consummate professional – calm under pressure with the ability to think quickly on his feet” ” a key name to note” – Legal 500 (2021)

Notable cases - Health & Safety: Industrial

HSE v IM Ltd – defence of a metal recycling company following partial amputation of employee’s hand.
HSE v TT Ltd – defence of a manufacturing company following asphyxiation of two employees by argon gas.
R v Jones & Recycle Cymru Ltd – 2022 successful prosecution of gross negligence manslaughter and associated regulatory offences.
HSE -v- Nestlé UK Ltd – Prosecution arising from significant injuries to an employee on the After Eights line at Nestlé’s Halifax plant [2022] 2 Cr. App. R. (S) 1.
HSE –v- W E Rawson Ltd – Prosecution under section 2 HSWA74 arising from a fatal incident in which an employee was dragged into a packaging machine and crushed.
Re Richardson – Representation at inquest and subsequent criminal defence of a waste management company following a fatal accident at their plant. The deceased walked into the path of a reversing JCB and suffered catastrophic head injuries. Accident reconstruction and traffic management evidence.
HSE –v- SIG Trading Ltd – Prosecution of a manufacturing company following partial amputation of an employee’s hand. Employees had deliberately circumvented safety measures introduced to guard the machine.
HSE –v- H – Retained pre-charge, and direct access, to advise an employee of a waste management company investigated on suspicion of a section 7 HSWA74 offence following a serious de-gloving injury.
HSE –v- Walter Hesslewood Ltd – Prosecution of a family-run waste management company whose employee was killed when a compressed air cylinder was expelled at speed from a waste press. One of the first cases to be sentenced following the implementation of the definitive guideline.
HSE –v- Cumbria Design Scaffolding Ltd & Larkin Engineering Services Ltd –Prosecution of two companies after an employee of one company was fatally injured when the other company was contracted to lift a large piece of metalwork. Issues of concurrent liability, liability of directors and delay.
HSE –v- Ainscough Crane Hire – Prosecution of a national crane hire company following the collapse of a ladder. The case involved expert metallurgical evidence about the foreseeability of failure due to galvanic corrosion.

Notable cases - Health & Safety: Construction

HSE v Mitie Roofing Ltd – successful prosecution of a national roofing company. Following the conviction of the defendant following a trial in Newcastle those proceedings were joined to pre-existing prosecution before the Crown Court at Swansea
HSE -v- MH Ltd – Defence of a significant house-building company.
HSE -v- P, W, D & T – Prosecution of two corporate and two individual defendants following the death of an 18-year-old labourer on a building site in Lincolnshire.
HSE –v- Riley James David – Defence of a self-employed builder whose failure to provide adequate edge protection led to a fall from significant height. Non-custodial sentence.
HSE –v- Balfour Beatty Regional Construction Ltd – Prosecution of a very large company following a fall from height when the floor of a partially constructed floor collapsed. Withdrawal of unrealistic concessions made by the prosecution at the Magistrates’ Court.
HSE –v- East Riding of Yorkshire – defence of a local authority, which itself had health and safety prosecutorial powers, following a fall from height during the repair of local authority housing. The District Judge was persuaded to retain jurisdiction. Consideration of the special treatment of public bodies under the sentencing guideline.

Notable cases - Health & Safety: Agricultural

HSE -v- JM Nixon & Sons Ltd – ongoing prosecution of a farming partnership for safety failings which led to a grandmother being fatally injured by a cow on an enclosed public bridleway.
D.H.Willis & Sons Ltd and Others – 2022 corporate and gross negligence manslaughter prosecution together with associated regulatory offences.
HSE –v- P – Representation at inquest and in criminal proceedings of a self-employed farm worker following the death of a landowner killed by a shard of barbed wire expelled from the defendant’s tractor-mounted flail mower. District Judge persuaded to retain jurisdiction despite the fatality.
HSE -v- UE. Defence of a landowner following a fatal accident on his sporting estate. An off-road all-terrain vehicle overturned, killing an employee who was collecting birds during a shoot. Magistrates persuaded to retain jurisdiction despite the fatality and the very considerable assets of the estate.

Notable cases - Health & Safety: Other

HSE -v- Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd – Prosecution of the well-known Yorkshire theme park after a child was ejected from a rollercoaster and suffered life-threatening head injuries.

Notable cases - Healthcare

CQC -v- Dimensions UK Ltd – successful defence of regional domiciliary and residential care company. The proceedings encompassed two judicial review claims (one each by prosecution and defence) and concluded with a successful application to stay the charges as an abuse of the process of the court. The prosecution failed to obtain permission to bring a claim in judicial review against the District Judge’s stay of the proceedings. The Care Quality Commission was subsequently ordered to pay Craig’s client the entire costs of defending the criminal proceedings.
HSE –v- TG – Section 7 HSWA74 prosecution of a senior care worker at a day centre for disabled adults. The profoundly disabled deceased choked to death on a sweet, given to her by the defendant in breach of the care plan.
Re NS – representation of domiciliary care company at inquest into a service user’s death. The Coroner made no findings against the company, despite criticisms from other interested persons and excluded the client from the prevention of future deaths report.
Re LH – representation of domiciliary care company at inquest into a service user’s death. Complex neurology and endocrinology evidence. The Coroner was persuaded to reject the findings of the pathologist and made exculpatory remarks in relation to the client, despite strident criticisms made by the deceased’s family.
HSE –v- Hillcare Ltd – Prosecution of a care home provider following the death by positional asphyxia of a 76-year-old resident who had been left restrained in her wheelchair for several hours.
R v Pramanik – Prosecution of a care of the elderly consultant for offences under the Cremation Act 1902
R v Cheadle – Prosecution of a Care of the Elderly Consultant, under the Cremation Act 1902 and the Fraud Act 2006 for fraudulent completion of death certification forms.
Speke Care Home -v- The Care Quality Commission – Instructed to represent the CQC at a three-day appeal before the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber of the First-Tier Tribunal.
CQC –v- B Ltd Instructed by the CQC to advice on the merits of prosecuting a registered provider/manager for a failure to comply with Regulation 12(1) of the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 resulting in avoidable harm.

Notable cases - Product Liability/Trading Standards

WYTS v LA Ltd – defence of a home improvement company prosecuted under consumer protection regulations, in relation to illegal distance selling techniques.
NYTS -v- B&M Retail Ltd – prosecution of a multi-billion-pound turnover company for offences under electrical safety regulations. The case arose from the offering for sale of hoverboards which did not comply with EU safety standards.
Re M Ltd – advice to a long-established company engaged in import and supply of gas appliances, in relation to a suspected product safety issue, involving complex factual matters around the interplay between design and installation issues.

Notable cases - Food

R -v- Mohammed Khalique Zaman – Prosecution junior counsel in the first successful prosecution for gross negligence manslaughter arising from a food allergy, and its subsequent successful defence in the Court of Appeal [2018] 1 Cr. App. R. (S.) 26.
East Riding Council –v- Dixfield LLP – Prosecution of food safety offences following a child suffering a significant anaphylactic reaction at a wedding reception.
York City Council -v- The Indian Garden Ltd – Prosecution of food safety offences arising out of inadequate allergen controls.
York City Council -v- North Yorkshire County Council – prosecution of one local authority by another, arising from inadequate allergen controls at a primary school. The 4-year-old victim was hospitalised by a school meal.

Notable cases - Environmental

AG of Jersey v JLB & Another – together with Simon Clegg, Craig advised the AG of Jersey in relation to the prosecution of a member of the States Assembly for water pollution.
EA v ST – successful defence of a director in a consent/connivance/neglect prosecution by the EA. The defendant’s business had been taken over by known waste criminals not prosecuted by the EA.
EA v BH – prosecution of illegal burning of waste which led to the destruction of the defendant’s own business and neighbouring properties.
EA v WP – successful defence of a director in a prosecution based on the consent, connivance and neglect provisions of the EPA1990. The case was discontinued in the face of an abuse of process application.
EA v AWSM & Metcalfe – prosecution of a former young farmer of the year for waste management and water pollution offences, leading to significant fish kills.
EA v PTSD Ltd & G – defence of a demolition company and its sole director for waste offences. The agency was persuaded to drop the case against the director and the company was ordered to pay an insignificant fine.

Notable cases - Fire Safety

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority -v- Sandhu – prosecution of a hotelier under several articles of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order. The defendant was sentenced to immediate imprisonment, leading to unique Court of Appeal authority in relation to sentencing in this type of case: [2017] EWCA Crim 908 (QC opponent).
SYFRA -v- Monckton Coke & Chemical Co Ltd – prosecution of a waste processing facility following a significant explosion. The case is referred to by commentators as involving one of the twenty most significant fines ever imposed for fire safety breaches.
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority -v- P, B & H. Prosecution under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order of landlord, caretaker and alarm technician following significant fire at a house in multiple occupation.
Granary Pub Company Ltd –v- West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority – Successful response to appeal against sentence following an incident in which a “smokeless fire” exploded sending a fireball across the ceiling of a public house, setting fire to customers’ clothing.

Ranked in The 2026 edition of Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for Crime as a Leading Silk, 2026.

“Craig has a mastery of his cases and powerful cross-examination skills.”

-Chambers & Partners (2026)

Over the last twenty years, Craig’s criminal practice has covered a vast range of work: from road traffic offending through sexual offences, serious and organised crime, violence including homicide, fraud and complex regulatory offences.

In silk, his practice has been split between murder, manslaughter, serious fraud, regulatory crime and associated inquests and inquiries. He sits as a Recorder in the Crown Court and as a fee-paid judge in the Mental Health Tribunal, and has significant experience of dealing with cases involving mental disorder, experienced by defendants or witnesses. Craig has a particular interest in cases involving defences arising from mental disorder.

Craig has become well-known for his ability to prosecute and defend in highly complex cases. His depth and breadth of experience of cases involving a wide range of prosecuting authorities enables him to bring a unique perspective to cases that transcend more than one area. He has been involved in many large cases with multiple defendants and has often handled sensitive issues of disclosure and public-interest immunity, including covert human intelligence sources, intercept material and offenders with links to terrorism.

Craig has extensive experience in all areas of financial offending, including applications for restraint, confiscation, compensation, appointment of receivers and disqualification of directors. Many of his cases have involved corporate defendants and the interpretation of corporate accounts. Since taking silk he has appeared in several trials of corporate and gross negligence manslaughter allegations, relying on his wide-ranging experience in regulatory crime and in particular health and safety and food safety.

Craig’s sympathetic approach towards clients has repeatedly been identified by legal directories. He can be relied upon to deal sensitively with clients accused of the most serious offences.

Alongside his advocacy and advisory work, Craig is the North Eastern Circuit’s Advocacy Training Officer. He is an accredited advocacy trainer and a facilitator for the Inns of Court College of Advocacy training courses: Advocacy and the Vulnerable and Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law.

Public Access

Craig Hassall KC is qualified to accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Craig Hassall KC is an employee of Craig Hassall Ltd

“He is a strong advocate and always extremely well prepared. He is very calm and a very thoughtful advocate.”

Chambers & Partners 2025

“He is a very highly effective practitioner and a very respected criminal silk.”

Chambers & Partners (2025)

“Craig is very organised and a very slick barrister.”

Chambers & Partners (2025)

Legal Directory Quotes and Testimonials

“A measured and unflappable silk.” -The Legal 500 (2025)
“Craig is excellent and can cut through any complex case to the heart of the issues. He gives clients confidence and handles sensitive issues extremely well.” – Chambers & Partners (2024)
“Craig has a commanding courtroom presence. He cross-examines defendants with measured – and devastatingly effective – calm. His jury speeches are hugely persuasive.” – The Legal 500 (2024)
“The consummate professional – calm under pressure with the ability to think quickly on his feet.” – The Legal 500 (2021)
“Specialises in serious fraud cases.” – The Legal 500 (2020)
“Noted for his expertise in fraud cases.” – The Legal 500 (2019)
“A strong advocate, who acts with intelligence and calm authority.” – The Legal 500, 2017
“Conscientious and good with clients.” – The Legal 500, 2017

Notable cases - Homicide & Serious Violence

Op Poplincard – ongoing prosecution of a 14-year-old for the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy.
Op Pedalbourne – ongoing prosecution of four teenage defendants for the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old at a house party.
Op Pearlside – 2023 ongoing prosecution of two defendants for the murder of the first defendant’s vulnerable and frail step-father.
D.H.Willis & Sons Ltd and Others – 2022 corporate and gross negligence manslaughter prosecution together with associated regulatory offences.
R v Ali & Matthews – 2022 successful murder prosecution. Both defendants were convicted notwithstanding that it was impossible to prove which of them drove the car deliberately into the deceased.
R v Barrott – 2022 successful prosecution of the husband of a nurse for her murder. Partial defence of diminished responsibility based on long-standing serious mental health issues rejected by the jury.
R v Jones & Recycle Cymru Ltd – 2022 gross negligence manslaughter and associated regulatory offences.
Op Thememike – 2022 murder prosecution arising from the fatal shooting of a local solicitor in Sheffield City Centre.
R v Cookson & Eaton – 2021 prosecution of two teenagers for murder, arising from the “cuckooing” of the deceased in the context of the defendants’ drug supply enterprise [2023] EWCA Crim 10 – setting of minimum terms and credit for time served on remand.
R v Patrick Clayton Snr. – Craig’s first defence murder trial in silk. Client acquitted of all charges.
R v Dearlove – Junior counsel to Richard Wright QC in a prosecution for murder 49 years after the death of the victim. The defendant was convicted of murder in relation to the death of his baby stepson on Teesside in 1968. He had evaded prosecution in the 1960s by suggesting that the child had sustained the fatal head injury by falling out of bed. The trial involved calling contested expert evidence in the fields of paediatrics, paediatric neurosurgery and paediatric neuropathology.
R v Zaman (Operation Hoe) – prosecution junior counsel in the first successful prosecution for gross negligence manslaughter arising from a food allergy, and its subsequent successful defence in the Court of Appeal [2018] 1 Cr. App. R. (S.) 26.
R v Azad, Thapar & Hussain – prosecution junior counsel in an attempted murder by arson. The principal defendant was sentenced to 32 years imprisonment.
R v M – “baby shaking” case with numerous expert medical witnesses.
R v H – defence of a father accused of failing to protect his child, contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. Significant factual findings had been made against the client in family proceedings and the child had been removed from his care. After Craig’s consideration of the expert paediatric neurology evidence and negotiation with the Crown, no evidence was offered against Craig’s client.

Notable cases - Fraud

R v K & P (Operation Coconut) – ongoing multi-million tax fraud prosecution. Multiple types of tax evaded.
R v N – 2023 successful defence of a fraud prosecution arising out of a historical partnership dispute. The prosecution offered no evidence in response to Craig’s application for a stay on the basis of abuse of process.
R v D (Operation Dulcie) – Fraud prosecution following concurrent investigations by Greater Manchester Police and NHS Protect. The Defendant accountant and finance director defrauded three NHS trusts and several private companies. Complex accounting evidence and issues surrounding calculation of losses.
R v Goulbourne & Others (Operation Accordion) – Junior counsel to Guy Gozem QC in a six-defendant mortgage fraud case. The case involved expert conveyancing evidence, extradition and complex issues in relation to calculation of loss. Craig conducted part of the trial alone (including cross examination of the principal defendant and the prosecution closing speech) against three Queens Counsel, Treasury Counsel and six juniors.
R v D (Operation Filtermill) – Prosecution of an independent financial advisor who claimed inflated commission by “churning” his clients pension investments from fund to fund. Associated confiscation and enforcement proceedings.
Operation Wizardry – Leading junior counsel for the prosecution in a five-defendant (including two former police officers), £11million tobacco-smuggling conspiracy, which the Court of Appeal described as “one of the most serious examples of its type”.
R v Rathod & Others (Operation Apple) – Leading junior counsel for the prosecution in a four-defendant immigration fraud operated through two fake Sikh Gurdwara. The defendants had facilitated the entry into the country of hundreds of immigrants by falsely claiming they were religious workers in the temples.
R v Ishaq (Operation Earthworm) – Prosecution of a former mayor of Scunthorpe for fraud and perverting the course of justice.
R v Wood & Others (Operation Paste) – Leading junior counsel in a nine-defendant prosecution of fraud against the NHS. The defendants, including a senior NHS manager had defrauded the NHS of £3.5 million through the awarding of overpriced contracts for management training in contravention of NHS procurement rules.

Notable cases - Proceeds of Crime (in addition to the above)

Operation Y – advising the prosecuting authorities in relation to pre-charge restraint in a multi-million-pound pensions fraud investigation.
Re a firm – advising an LLP in relation to confiscation proceedings following the conviction of a former partner of the firm for fraud and money laundering. The prosecution and Court threatened contempt proceedings in relation to disputed funds in the possession of the firm. Craig provided advice and drafted a skeleton argument, upon which the prosecution discontinued all action against the client.

Notable cases - Sexual Offences

R v M – successful defence of a gay man charged with the sexual assault of a man who was alleged to have been asleep. The defendant had a previous conviction for a similar assault against another unconscious male. Acquitted at trial.
R v JH – successful defence of a stepfather charged with the attempted rape of his seven-year-old stepdaughter. Craig challenged the disclosure process and identified items that could be shown to be in the possession of the police, the existence of which had not been disclosed. Following legal argument, no evidence was offered.
R v BR – successful defence of a former police officer with previous convictions for indecent assault. The client was charged with sexual offences against two young female family members. Charges relating to one complainant were stayed as an abuse of the process of the Court following Craig’s application based on disclosure failures. The client was acquitted of all other charges at trial.

Notable cases - Miscellaneous

R v Yasutake, Yasutake and Yasutake – an utterly unique case. Craig represented all three defendants charged with preventing the burial of a body. The prosecution accepted that each defendant was not guilty by reason of insanity but proposed to continue with a trial of issue, notwithstanding that each defendant believed that the deceased was still alive, and therefore that there was no body to bury. In response to Craig’s application for a stay on the basis of abuse of process, the prosecution was discontinued. Craig went on to represent the family, pro bono, at the inquest into the death and secured an open conclusion that the cause of death was unascertained.
R v DD – defence of a juror, prosecuted for contempt of Court who contacted a convicted defendant and disclosed the content of jury deliberations. Craig appeared before the Lord Chief Justice, prosecuted by the Solicitor General. His client received a suspended sentence and on the basis of his submissions the LCJ directed a national review by HM Courts Service into the information routinely provided to jurors.

Ranked Tier 1 for Inquests & Inquiries – The Legal 500 (2026)

Ranked as a Band 1 Silk for Inquests & Public Inquiries – Chambers & Partners (2026)

“His knowledge of the law and procedure relating to inquests is unparalleled. He immediately gets to and articulates the central issues”

– The Legal 500 (2026)

“Craig is very strategic, extremely organised and an effective questioner.”

– Chambers and Partners (2026)

Craig Hassall specialises in crime, regulatory, inquests and inquiries. His inquests and inquiries practice focuses largely on investigations arising from regulated settings, such as industrial accidents and health, social and early years settings, including mental health care. He has appeared at inquests for regulators, large corporations, small businesses, professionals, individuals and bereaved families, and is particularly in demand for high-profile, complex and sensitive cases which are often linked to criminal or disciplinary proceedings. His clients benefit from the continuity of representation that he is able to provide across several jurisdictions.

Craig’s experience is largely in lengthy cases involving several interested parties, juries and Article 2 and Regulation 28 considerations.

Public Access

Craig Hassall KC is qualified to accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Craig Hassall KC is an employee of Craig Hassall Ltd

"Craig made the right points and had a deft touch. He managed to be sensitive to the family and realistic with the court, being very courteous and polite all around. I was impressed."

Chambers and Partners (2026)

"Craig Hassall KC was brilliant in the inquest."

Chambers and Partners (2026)

"Craig brings a prosecutorial perspective which defendants value. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of prosecutors and is very bright and sensible.”

Chambers and Partners (2025)

“Craig is a class act. He shows excellent judgement, responds quickly and is fantastic with clients.”

Chambers and Partners (2025)

“Craig is very organised and a very slick barrister.”

Chambers and Partners (2025)

“He is a strong advocate and always extremely well prepared. He is very calm and a very thoughtful advocate.”

Chambers and Partners (2025)

‘A class act who shows excellent judgement and real sensitivity towards his clients.’ and ‘A measured and unflappable Silk’–

The Legal 500 (2025)

Testimonials

“Craig is a fearless and technically brilliant advocate. He is a pleasure to work with and to watch.” – Legal 500 (2024)
“Craig is knowledgeable and well-prepared; a probing and effective questioner; a persuasive and powerful presence, and above all, a pleasure to be in a case with.” – Legal 500 (2024)
“Craig is excellent and can cut through any complex case to the heart of the issues. He gives clients confidence and handles sensitive issues extremely well.” – Chambers & Partners (2024)
“Craig is insightful and incisive. He is accessible, empathetic and hungry to do more in the space.” – Chambers & Partners (2023)
“Craig is a fantastic barrister. The quality of the work he produces is first class, and his advocacy is powerful but in tune with the mood of the room.” – Legal 500 (2023)
“A superstar. Craig is personable, exceptionally intelligent, driven and empathetic. Clients warm to him instantly.’ ‘an excellent silk‘ and ‘fantastic with the most vulnerable clients‘.” – Legal 500 (2023)
“He strikes exactly the right tone at health and safety hearings and inquests and has a good rapport with clients.” “He is calm under pressure, level-headed and strategic.” “He’s able to deal with technical, complex cases.” – Chambers & Partners (2022)
“Craig is an exceptionally gifted counsel. He quickly instils confidence in clients. A silk with an eye for the details but never loses sight of the bigger picture.” – Legal 500 (2022)

Selected cases - Industrial

Gleision Colliery Disaster – Craig is instructed to represent the Health & Safety Executive in the resumed inquests into the deaths of four miners in 2011. The inquests have been reopened to consider alleged failures of state regulation of the mine, following unsuccessful manslaughter prosecutions in 2013.
Re Richardson – Representation at inquest and subsequent criminal defence of a waste management company following a fatal accident at their plant. The deceased walked into the path of a reversing JCB and suffered catastrophic head injuries. Accident reconstruction and traffic management evidence.
Re Heath – Representation at inquest of a large corporate interested party following a fatal accident at their plant. The deceased was hit by a forklift truck on a zebra crossing. The conclusion was accident and no further proceedings were commenced.

Selected cases - Food Safety

Re James Atkinson – Craig is instructed on behalf of James’ family, following his death from anaphylaxis. James ordered a pizza through an online food delivery app and was unaware that the food delivered contained nuts to which he was allergic.

Selected cases - Agricultural

Re Clode – Craig was instructed to represent the Health & Safety Executive at the inquest into the death of a grandmother fatally injured by a cow on a public bridleway. He was subsequently instructed to prosecute ongoing criminal proceedings against the partnership responsible for the management of the farm.
HSE –v- P – Representation at inquest and in criminal proceedings of a self-employed farm worker following the death of a landowner killed by a shard of barbed wire expelled from the defendant’s tractor-mounted flail mower. District Judge persuaded to retain jurisdiction despite the fatality.

Selected cases - Health, Social and Early Years Care

Manchester Arena Inquiry – Craig was instructed to represent the interests of the Manchester Teaching Hospital NHS Trust in the Manchester Arena Inquiry. He drafted the Trust’s application for interested person status, following the service of expert evidence by lawyers representing the family of Saffie-Rose Roussos. Craig challenged the opinions of those expert witnesses at the inquiry. The final report of the inquiry made no criticism of the Trust, its medics or its disaster planning work.
Re SL – representation of care company at inquest into service user’s death and in concurrent criminal proceedings brought by the Care Quality Commission.
Re NS – representation of domiciliary care company at inquest into a service user’s death. The Coroner made no findings against the company, despite criticisms from other interested persons and excluded the client from the prevention of future deaths report.
Re LH – representation of domiciliary care company at inquest into a service user’s death. Complex neurology and endocrinology evidence. The Coroner was persuaded to reject the findings of the pathologist and made exculpatory remarks in relation to the client, despite strident criticisms made by the deceased’s family.

Selected cases - Military

Re CM – Craig represented the Health & Safety Executive at the inquest into the death of a soldier who was killed in a training exercise by a colleague who mistook him for a target. Potential criminal proceedings to follow.

Selected cases - Other

Re RY – Craig represented all three defendants charged with preventing the burial of a body. The prosecution accepted that each defendant was not guilty by reason of insanity but proposed to continue with a trial of issue, notwithstanding that each defendant believed that the deceased was still alive, and therefore that there was no body to bury. In response to Craig’s application for a stay on the basis of abuse of process, the prosecution was discontinued. Craig went on to represent the family, pro bono, at the inquest into the death and secured an open conclusion that the cause of death was unascertained.