Notable Cases

Undercover Policing Inquiry (2023) Joseph Hudson appointed as counsel to the undercover policing inquiry, which will look at the efficacy and effects of undercover policing. Full Article

EA -v- DT (2023) Ben Thomas prosecuted a defendant charged with running an illegal waste storage site, following a fire at said site in February 2022. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of DN (2023) Simon Connolly was instructed on behalf of an NHS trust following the death of a 26 year old law student. The deceased had had multiple online GP appointments before dying of an abscess in the brain. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of RY (2023) Craig Hassall K.C. appeared at an inquest into the death of a woman in North Yorkshire. He represented the interests of the deceased’s brother, who along with his mother and sister had believed their sister to be alive long after she had died. Full Article

SYP -v- Sugar Club (2022) Leila Taleb successfully represented South Yorkshire Police in an application to revoke the license of a night club that was found to be allowing entry to underage teenagers as well as being a health and safety hazard. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of DH (2022) Helena Spector represented the interests of the family following a death at a locked rehabilitation facility for people with mental health and psychiatric problems. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of CM (2022) Craig Hassall K.C. and Robert Stevenson appeared at inquest into the death of a soldier during a training exercise. Craig Hassall represented the Health and Safety Executive and Mr Stevenson represented the Ministry of Defence. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of MS (2022) Matthew Stanbury appeared at an inquest into the death of a man at HMP Durham. Full Article

The council of Newcastle upon Tyne -v- SN (2022) Ben Thomas prosecuted a local business which failed to comply with a customers request for a peanut free dish. This resulted in an anaphylactic reaction. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of JL (2022) Richard Wright K.C. represented an interested party at an inquest following the death of a student, just hours after she arrived at University. Full Article

East Riding of York Council -v- GWS Seafoods (2022) Robert Stevenson acted on behalf of a seafood company, successfully contesting the seizure of a large amount of sea food from their premises. Full Article

Re: Dr N (2022) Simon Connolly represented doctor in misconduct proceedings, regarding their marketing and provisioning of Intravenous Nutrition Therapy. Full Article 

Re: VGM (2022) James Wilson acted for the nursing and midwifery council in a case where a nurse applied for student loans she was not entitled to, due to her immigration status. Full Article

HSE -v- Daneets Developments (2022) Joseph Hudson defended a company who received a reduced fine for a health and safety breach during the summer of 2021. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of JM (2022) Naomi McLoughlin appeared at an inquest into the death of a student at a university. Full Article.

Trading Standards -v- Chique Makeovers and Photography (2022) Robert Stevenson appeared in a case concerning a photography company engaging in unfair trading practices. Full Article

HSE -v- Midland Steel Reinforcement (2022) Robert Stevenson prosecuted in proceedings arising from serious workplace injury at a manufacturing firm. Full Article

Inquest touching the death JL (2022) Holly Clegg appeared in an inquest touching the death of a young woman, who had complex health needs arising from domestic abuse she had suffered at the hands of ex partners. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of AP (2022) Simon Connolly appeared at an inquest of a woman, who died following her first dose of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of JA (2022) Craig Hassall K.C. and Helena Spector were instructed to attend the inquest of a 23 year old man, who died following his eating of a pizza he had ordered off the Deliveroo app. Full Article

R -v- Yorkshire Dairy Goats (2022) Robert Stevenson represented the HSE during proceedings arising out of the death of an employee of a dairy company in 2018. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of KT (2022) Simon Connolly appeared at the inquest into the death of a young student paramedic, who died within two weeks of receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of AS (2022) Holly Clegg  was instructed to represent the interests of the family following the death of a 2 year old girl. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of BHW (2022) Caroline Wood appeared on behalf of a GP and a nurse at an inquest arising from the death of BHW, who had contracted tetanus. Full Article 

Inquest touching the death of JR (2022) Caroline Wood appeared on behalf of a medical practitioner, at an inquest that looked at the role gambling played in a student’s death. Full Article

HSE -v- Cleveland Bridge Ltd (2022) Craig Hassall K.C. prosecuted a company which closed in 2021 due to health and safety breaches, securing a £1.5 million fine. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of SM (2022) Janine Wolstenholme was counsel to the inquest touching the death of a young woman with mental health issues. Full Article

R -v- Christopher Sharpe (2022) Simon Clegg was instructed on behalf of the health and safety executive following a walker being killed by cattle. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of AT (2021) Simon Connolly appeared at a high profile inquest into the death of a 25 year old Leeds based DJ, who died of meningitis. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of SON (2021) Kate Bisset appeared at an inquest into the death of a man who drowned in the river Ouse, having been pursued there by the police. Full Article

John McAlister -v- NEIFCA (2021) Andrea Parnham represented the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority in an appeal against sentence. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of AS (2021) Naomi McLoughlin appeared at the inquest of a young man who died following being arrested and tasered by police. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of KC (2021) Naomi McLoughlin appeared on behalf of a radiology reporting inquest at the inquest into the death of a man who died following a fall. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of AP (2021) Kate Wilson represented the Ministry of Justice during a complex inquest into the death of a prisoner with a history of serious mental health issues. Full Article

HSE -v- CS Booth Engineering (2021) Nadim Bashir instructed in case involving injury at an engineering company following a breach of duty. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of PDC (2021) Janine Wolstenholme appeared on behalf of an independent school in the lake district, following the suicides of two its pupils. Full Article

HSE -v- David Coulson (2021) Ben Thomas instructed in matter involving a construction company, who undertook work incompetently, leaving their clients exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Full Article

Britania Hotels -v- Environmental Health Officers (2021) Robert Stevenson represented a hotel who were charged with a breach of health and safety regulations. A guest had fallen through a gap in some fencing, that had been taped off, but not repaired. Full Article

Re: SH (2021) Robert Stevenson has appeared in proceedings arising out of the death of a man who died in a workplace accident. Robert Stevenson was instructed from inquest to sentence at Durham Crown Court. Full Article

Inquest touching upon the death of LRM (2021) Kate Wilson appeared on behalf of the family of a man who died after receiving hip surgery. Full Article

HSE -v- Nestle UK (2021) Craig Hassall appeared on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, securing a £640,000 fine for Nestle UK following breaches of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Full Article

HSE -v- Lightwater Valley (2020) Craig Hassall secured a £333,344 fine for Lightwater Valley, following a breach of health and safety regulations. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of AW (2020) Kate Wilson and Naomi McLoughlin both appeared at an inquest into the death of a man, who jumped out of a window at Dalaman airport. Full Article

Craven District Council -v- Bizzie Lizzie’s (2020) Robert Stevenson acted on behalf of a well known fish and chip restaurant charged with failing to ensure the health and safety of their employees. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of EL (2020) Anna Wilkinson represented a midwife in connection with the death of a child born by emergency c-section. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of PR (2020) Naomi McLoughlin represented the interests of nurse at an inquest into the death of an elderly patient in a hospital. Full Article

RE: MF (2020) Robert Stevenson secured a fine for a multi-million pound company, whose employee died in a machine accident. Mr Stevenson appeared at the inquest all the way through to crown court hearings. Full Article

R -v- North Facilities Management (2020) Craig Hassall and Robert Stevenson appeared in a food allergen case following a young girl with an egg allergy having an anaphylactic shock. Full Article

SYP -v- Pitsmoor Hotel and Staffordshire Arms (2020) James Holding was successful in revoking the licence of two different establishments which were caught breaching Coronavirus restrictions. Full Article

HSE -v- IFG Drake (2020) Craig Hassall appeared on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive prosecuting IFG Drake for breaching health and safety regulations. Full Article

Bleak House -v- Care Quality Commission (2020) Anna Wilkinson appeared on behalf of the CQC, succesfully opposing a tribunal appeal by a care home. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of GW (2020) Kate Wilson and Naomi McLoughlin appeared to represent interested persons at a recent inquest into the death of a boatman who was working at the site of the Flood Alleviation Scheme on the River Aire in October 2017. Full Article

AC Ltd v Care Quality Commission (2020) Anna Wilkinson appeared on behalf of CQC in a 5 day first tier tribunal case responding to an appeal by a home for people with learning disabilities to vary a condition of their registration to increase from 19-24 people. Full Article

Inquest touching the death of KH (2020) Simon Connolly represented a Local Authority in connection with the death of an elderly, vulnerable person. The Authority faced assertions of delay and mismanagement of the deceased’s assessment and needs in accordance with statutory duties arising under the Care Act 2014. Full Article 

Craven District Council -v- BL (2020) Ben Thomas prosecuted the defendant company for offences offences under section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Full Article

R v Sheffield Magistrates Court, ex p. Chesterfield Poultry Ltd (2019) Richard Wright QC leading Howard Shaw succeeded in the Divisional Court in the case of R v Sheffield Magistrates Court, ex p. Chesterfield Poultry Ltd. They appeared on behalf of the CPS in Judicial Review proceedings regarding the time limit certificate provisions of the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015.  Full Article 

HSE -v- B A L Ackroyd (2019) Robert Stevenson  prosecuted the farming partnership for safety breaches following a fatal incident involving a member of the public. Full Article

Aviva –v- Farida Ashraf    Bradford Crown Court (2019) – Matthew Smith and Camilla Buck prosecuted this private prosecution involving a false claim for personal injury and consequential losses to a value of almost £60,000.   Full Article 

Inquest touching the death of serial killer Dennis Nilsen (2019) Janine Wolstenholme  was instructed by the Government Legal Department at the inquest at Hull Coroners Court into the death of notorious serial killer Dennis Nilsen.Nilsen killed twelve young men between 1978 and 1983 and is suspected to have killed three others.

Action for Care -v- The Care Quality Commission (2019)Anna Wilkinson defended the Tribunal Appeal on behalf of the Care Quality Commission.The tribunal upheld CQC’s decision to refuse the Appellant’s application to increase the number of service users from 6-8 after a four day tribunal hearing. Full Article 

FSA -v- Bowland Foods Ltd (2019) Howard Shaw prosecuted the company operating a meat cutting plant for failure to remove vertebral column specified risk material from cattle. The Company appealed against the sentence to the Crown Court whereupon the fine was significantly increased to £60,000 and further costs in excess of £2,300 arising from the appeal were awarded against the Company. Full Article

R V DVR Ltd (2019) Howard Shaw  prosecuted the company operating a slaughterhouse in Burnley and several operatives employed at the slaughterhouse following extensive abuse of sheep undergoing slaughter.The prosecution arose from covert footage obtained by the animal welfare charity Animal Aid, who secreted covert cameras in the slaughterhouse and filmed slaughter operations over two days in March 2017.  Full Article 

Inquest touching the death of Cherylee Shennan (2019)Janine Wolstenholme appeared on behalf of the probation service. Cherylee, aged 40 suffered a brutal attack by Paul O’Hara at her home in Lancashire in the presence of two police officers. O’Hara had been released from prison in April 2012 on life licence after the killing of a previous partner. Full Article

HSE -V- Marc Murrie (2019) Anna Wilkinson Marc Murrie was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment at Sheffield Crown Court for carrying out gas work when not registered to do so. Full Article

 HSE -v- Weiser Construction Limited and Complete Cladding Systems Limited (2019) Robert Stevenson, prosecuted the two companies  in relation to their failures to protect their employees whilst working at height. Full Article

FSA -V- Dunbia (Preston) Ltd (2019)Howard Shaw  successfully prosecuted Dunbia (Preston) Limited, the operator of a slaughterhouse at Preston, resulting in the highest ever fine being imposed by a court in a case brought by the Food Standards Agency.

HSE -V- Michael Mudd Ltd (2019) Craig Hassall QC defended in this cases where a worker fell through the roof of a farm building onto a concrete floor. Full Article

HSE -V- Sig Trading Ltd (2019) Craig Hassall QC The company  had been using an electrically-powered folding machine to bend metal, when the worker’s hand became trapped between the jaws of the machine.The crush injuries sustained during the incident resulted in life changing injuries with the worker requiring partial amputation of four fingers on his left, dominant hand. Full Article 

HSE -V- Lewis McArdle trading as Grimsby lifts. (July 2018) – Tom Gent  defending. Platform lift incident at a residential care home involving a fall down a lift shaft.

Richard Wright Q.C. leading Howard Shaw (April 2018) respond to an Appeal against Conviction of a Slaughterhouse for an Offence under the TSE (England) Regulations involving EU law and it’s interplay with the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies sampling regime in slaughterhouses.  Full Article

HSE -V- RK Civil Engineering Ltd, RK District Heating Ltd (April 2018) – Robert Stevenson prosecuted two companies following the death of a 36 year old employee who was crushed by large heating pipes.  Press coverage

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority -v- Sloping Tactic Ltd – (April 2018) – Andrea Parnham  Prosecuting –  Breach of fire safety regulations resulted in hotel’s closure.   Press coverage

East Riding Council -v- Dixfield LLP & another – (2018)  Craig Hassall QC  prosecuting – Food Safety offences following a child suffering a significant anaphylactic reaction at a wedding reception.

HSE -V- Cumbria Design Scaffolding Ltd & Larkin Engineering Services Ltd – (2018)  – Craig Hassall QC Prosecutes two companies  after an employee of one company was fatally injured when the other company was contracted to lift a large piece of metalwork.

R -v- Woodward & others – (March 2018) Howard Shaw prosecuting, Christopher Moran, Christopher Boxall and Holly Clegg defending. Long running slaughterhouse cruelty case.The Divisional Court case is now the leading case on the time-limit provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It is reported at R v Woodward & others [2017] EWHC 1008 (Admin); [2017] JP 405; [2017] Crim LR 884.

HSE -V- SIG Trading Ltd – (2018) Craig Hassall QC prosecutes a manufacturing company following a partial amputation of an employee’s hand in a folding machine.

HSE-v- Impact Fork Trucks Ltd – (2018) Craig Hassall QC  prosecutes following life-changing injuries suffered by an Engineer whose head was crushed between the masts of two forklift trucks.

North Yorkshire Trading Standards v B & M Retail Ltd (January 2018) Craig Hassall QC acts for the prosecution against Robert Stevenson in the first case involving the risk of fire and explosion of the battery packs on hover boards / glide boards. The defendant is charged with offences under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.

HSE -V- Plevin and Sonst Ltd (November 2017) – Craig Hassall QC Prosecuted a transport company whose employee had suffered a fatal fall from height whilst operating a walking floor trailer.  Press coverage

R v Mohammed Zaman (November 2017) Richard Wright QC leading Craig Hassall QC  prosecuted for Yorkshire & Humber Complex Case Unit in the gross negligence manslaughter case involving curry being served to a person with a nut allergy. The jury unanimously convicted the restaurateur of manslaughter and regulatory offences. He is currently serving 6 imprisonment his conviction having been upheld by the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.  BBC Coverage   New York Times Coverage  Washington Post Coverage

HSE -v- W E Rawson – (July 2017) Craig Hassall QC prosecuting. Section 2 HSWA 74 arising from a fatal incident in which an employee was dragged into a packaging machine and crushed.

HSE -v- Neesam & Son Ltd(July 2017) Tom Gent Defending – A free standing wall on a fram collapsed and crushed employee to death.

EA v A & others (2017) Simon Clegg is prosecution junior in one of the largest and most complex prosecution brought by the Environment Agency in Yorkshire. With 10 defendants and multiple experts encompassing a plethora of disciplines, the case has involved allegations of abuse of process, the lawfulness of surveillance evidence, the lawfulness of searches, restraint proceedings and a significant disclosure exercise.

HSE v Suez Recycling Ltd (June 2017)  Craig Hassall QC prosecuted the defendant (subsidiary company) that run an “Energy from Waste” facility. The injured party was covered with extremely hot ash whilst clearing a blockage. Press Coverage HSE press release

R v Steven Riley & others (March 2017) Howard Shaw Prosecuted on behalf of DEFRA. Causing unnecessary cruelty to a bovine animal awaiting slaughter. Cases stated appeal by defence. Case significant to the CPS as it confirmed the CPS as the “prosecutor” for the time limitation provisions of animal welfare legislation. The judgement also addressed the liability of partners in such cases.

R v Horner (August 2017) Pending trial at Sheffield Crown Court Simon Clegg prosecutes on behalf of the EA the company accused of filling warehouses with unlawful waste after allegedly charging large sums to dispose of it legitimately.

Craven District Council –v- David Eckersall (January 2017) Ben Thomas was instructed by Craven District Council in the successful prosecution of David Eckersall for the demolition of a listed building without consent in Thornton in Craven. The Defendant had taken the decision to demolish Nuttercote Farm, which he had recently purchased, when his neighbours were away. As well as destroying Nuttercote Farm the demolition work caused considerable damage to the neighbouring property. The case involved consideration of the rules pertaining to listed buildings and the consents to make alterations to these buildings.   Press Coverage

Aviva –v- Penny & Others Bradford Crown Court 2016 – David Dixon and Camilla Buck This Landmark prosecution which resulted from a contrived collision with a bus involved 21 defendants which necessitated that there be 3 separate trials.The total sentence for the group was some 29 years and 4 months and the Insurer saw its 20 potential claims disappear. The case was subsequently received the Personal Injury Award 2016 for ‘Outstanding Case of the Year’

HSE v East Riding of Yorkshire Council (November 2016) Craig Hassall QC acted for the defendant local authority in this HSE prosecution following a fall from height by one of its employees resulting in spinal injury.   Press Coverage

HSE v Allen & Hunt Engineers Ltd (November 2016) Instructed to behalf of the Health & Safety Executive Robert Stevenson prosecuted the company following a fall from a barn roof resulted in life changing injuries for an employee.   HSE Coverage

R v AXL 1 Ltd (Trading as Alexander Snee Ltd) Richard Wright QC defended and Glenn Parsons prosecuted on behalf of Trading Standards the company for breaches of Regulation 8 of the consumer Protection from unfair Contract Terms Regulations 2008Press Coverage

Environment Agency -v- Brian Hannon (November 2016) Craig Hassall QC prosecuted the company director under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 following a fire at his firm’s chemical plant releasing 1,600 litres of formaldehyde and industrial-strength acids from there containers.  Press Coverage

Chief Constable of Humberside Police v Benjamin Lumby (October 2016) Phillipa Hildyard acted for the Chief Constable in this appeal. One of the first examples of a SHPO being imposed where the defendant does not have any previous convictions for sexual offences.

Inquest touching the death of Richard Brown (September 2016) Representing Howdens Joinery Ltd. at the inquest into the death of a delivery driver who was killed when a stack of worktops fell on him from a forklift truck during an unloading procedure.  The inquest took place in front of a jury over the course of a week and the Health & Safety systems of the company were examined in considerable detail. Tom Gentprotected the interests of the company.   Press Coverage

HSE v Sonocco Cores & Paper Limited (September 2016) Robert Stevenson Prosecuted the sizeable company which employed over 19,000 people over 300 sites worldwide for Health & Safety breaches resulting in an employee losing three fingers and suffering crush injuries.

HSE v Tracey Gilboy (July 2016) Craig Hassall QC prosecuted and Tom Gent defended in a case involving a fatality at a care home. An adult with special needs was given a cough sweet which caused the patient to choke. A charge of gross negligence manslaughter was not pursued following the discovery of a rare syndrome within the patient. Regulatory offences were therefore pursued.

HSE v Pauls Malt Ltd T/A Boormalt (July 2016) Andrew Wilson represented a European company with a U.K turnover of £129m (and so outside of the top bracket of the sentencing guidelines).A guilty plea was entered to an offence contrary to section 33 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 act by breaching its duties under s 3(1) of the Act.

R v Wild & Holly (June 2016) Acting on behalf of City of York Trading Standards Glenn Parsons prosecuted the defendants who set up a fraudulent company that sold worthless wills & powers of attorney to the elderly. 4 week trial resulting in in conviction of Fraud and consumer law offences.

R v Anthony Clarkson (June 2016) Howard Shaw prosecuted on behalf of DEFRA   for fraudulently marketing over six million barn eggs as free range.

Inquest into the death of “S” (April 2016) a middle aged mentally ill female who had amphetamine in her system restrained in a Sikh temple after assaulting an elderly female outside. Restraint asphyxia by member of the public untrained in restraint techniques. CCTV and mobile phone footage of the incident recorded. Lorraine Harris protected the interests of the member of the public who restrained the deceased.

Inquest into the death of “B” (April 2016) Lorraine Harris Represented the interests of the driver of a school bus involved in a collision that resulted in the death of 33 year old cyclist who was a teacher at the school and had been teaching some of the children on the bus shortly before the accident. “B” travelling on a pathway cycle lane did not give way to bus turning left and was crushed beneath the wheel. Layout of crossings and signalling addressed.