Hall Of Fame

Leading Partners

Next Generation Partners

Health and safety in East Anglia

Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP 'operates to the highest professional and ethical standards' and clients remark that the regulatory and corporate defence team 'provides expert technical advice in a very practical and personal way'. Matthew Gowen leads the practice from Ipswich, where legal director Daniel Irving is a key member of the team. Up-and-coming partner Julie Gowland in Norwich is a key adviser on HSE investigations, inquests, and prosecutions following serious and fatal accidents. All three are qualified barristers. Gowen and Gowland, who frequently handle disputes in the leisure and tourism, retail, aviation and construction industries, recently defended AFE Group in an HSE prosecution following a fatal accident at a private hospital.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Gowen; Julie Gowland


Other key lawyers:

Daniel Irving


Testimonials

‘We have a long standing association with Birketts LLP across all its corporate practice groups. The Birketts team operates to the highest professional and ethical standards. Birketts provide expert technical advice in a very practical and personal way – built upon a foundation of excellent understanding of our issues and unrivalled client care. ’

‘We engaged with Mr Matthew Gowen ( Barrister) and Ms Julie Gowland (Partner) in a very complex and difficult health and safety case. Matthew and Julie provided the highest calibre advice, and were meticulous in their detail. Both were always approachable at any time, and so hardworking and committed to us a client. Matthew and Julie were immediately intuitive to the case, and their understanding of our position was second to none. With this unique relationship and understanding Julie and Matthew adeptly guided us through the investigation, inquest and court case, and secured a full acquittal. I wholeheartedly endorse Matthew and Julie’s expertise, understanding and client care to anyone seeking assistance in regulatory and corporate defence matters.’

‘The team are on hand what seems like 24/7; never does a response go longer than a few hours. I have open lines of communication via email and mobile numbers which helps with swift resolution of issues. The whole team are approachable and helpful.’

‘Matthew Gowen goes out of his way to know you, your company and how we work. He has the ability to give clear guidance which is respected by our board. Always on hand and goes above and beyond to ensure our requests are answered.’

‘Daniel Irving – Legal Director – Birketts. I’ve worked with Dan since November 2019 with matters relating to the Grenfell Inquiry. Led by Matthew Gowen, Dan and his team have been faultless in all aspects, guiding me through the key stages of participating in a public inquiry. Dan’s exceptional knowledge of the Inquiry process combined with his reassuring, calm and conscientious manner has been invaluable. His approach and communication is ‘best in class’, regularly updating and contextualising all matters in a timely fashion. I’m sincerely thankful to the whole team at Birkett’s for their professionalism and hard work over the last five years. Their diligent approach at every salient juncture is exceptional and truly unique.’

Key clients

AFE Group Ltd


Jonathan Roper


Breckland District Council


South Norfolk District Council


Rochford District Council


Work highlights


HCR Hewitsons

HCR Hewitsons joins the rankings this year having significantly boosted its practice in recent years with key hires. The insurance risk and regulatory practice is led from London by Heath Thomas but Cambridge-based Kathryn Gilbertson, who joined the firm in 2022, is the region’s standout partner. She is ‘very committed to client service and is extremely knowledgeable regarding the law in the health and safety and fire safety sectors‘. Her work in criminal courts and tribunals throughout the UK spans more than three decades, and she is highly regarded for her work in the hospitality and retail sectors, as well as her advice to property developers, construction businesses, and facilities management companies.

Practice head(s):

Heath Thomas


Other key lawyers:

Kathryn Gilbertson


Testimonials

‘Experience has been with Kathryn Gilbertson, with whom we have worked in her previous practices. Kathryn is very committed to client service and is extremely knowledgeable regarding the law in the health and safety and fire safety sectors.’

Key clients

Stef and Philips


Safety Rocks


RSPB


NFU


Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival LLP climbs the ranking this year having grown the team and won a number of new clients. The vastly experienced former practice head Alan Millband has stepped back to the role of consultant; Robert Starr, who works from both the Cambridge and Northampton offices, now leads on health and safety matters. He brings to bear extensive experience in fatal accident cases in the rail, food, retail and care sectors together with colleagues who are regulatory experts.

Practice head(s):

Robert Starr


Other key lawyers:

Alan Millband


Testimonials

‘This is a strong team with an appropriate level of support within the wider firm. They provide (in the best sense) a fairly traditional attentive client service with real expertise.’

‘Rob Starr has a great background and lots of experience. He is a good lawyer and very focused on the needs of the client.’

‘We found Robert Starr and his team to be very responsive to our queries and we always felt we were receiving excellent, timely client care and support at a difficult time for our business following an employee accident. ’

‘Robert Starr carried out a very thorough health and safety investigation with our employees, preparing witness statements and briefing the management team throughout. As a business, we felt supported and prepared for a potential investigation by the HSE. We were guided through the possible scenarios and their outcomes and we felt we’d received excellent advice throughout.’

Key clients

Citation Limited


Millstream Estate Services Limited


Hamilton Deed


Anchor Hanover Group


Cubic Works Limited


Work highlights


  • Assisting Millstream Estate Services Limited with investigation of skylight accident causing significant injury, including collation of relevant documentary evidence and obtaining witness statements from relevant members of staff and witnesses at the scene.
  • Representing CubicWorks Limited in a prosecution for offences under s.3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 following a fall from height.

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP joins the ranking this year due to its strong capability in regulatory matters in the health and care sectors. Lead partners Duncan Astill and Amanda Narkiewicz, both based in Cambridge, frequently handle proceedings in the First Tier Tribunal, police investigations into workplace fatalities, enforcement actions by the Health and Safety Executive, and inquests. Their regulatory expertise also covers Environment Agency investigations and prosecutions, and Care Quality Commission matters.

Practice head(s):

Duncan Astill; Amanda Narkiewicz


Work highlights