Work Department

Regulatory

Position

For over a decade Ben has been consistently recognised by the industry directories as a leader in his field. He enjoys a thriving practice, both prosecuting and defending, predominantly in regulatory crime (health and safety, trading standards, fraud, environmental crime and inquests) along with associated complex confiscation proceedings. He has been appointed to the highest tier (Panel A) on the Attorney General’s Unified List of Prosecuting Advocates. At the core of his practice is an acute attention to his client’s best interests and a tireless commitment to his cases.

He was Junior Counsel in X [2013] 2Cr.App.R.15, the leading authority on the CPUT Regulations and the application of recklessness to corporate entities and WCC v Quami [2020] EWCA Crim 819: determination of ‘Harm’ in Fraud Sentencing Guidelines when targeting vulnerable consumers.

He appeared in the leading health and safety cases Tata Steel [2017] EWCA Crim 70, Diamond Box [2017] EWCA Crim 1904, Lear [2018] 2Cr.App.R.11; Faltec [2019] [2019] EWCA (Crim) 520, and the environmental law case of EA v McIntosh [2019] EWCA Crim 231 which addressed the sentencing of directors and the relevance of available assets to costs applications.

Twice nominated for Birmingham Law Society’s Barrister of the Year. He has been a Recorder of the Crown Court since 2016.

He is the Deputy Head of the St Philips Regulatory Group and head of St Philips Chambers recruitment committee.

Education

Birmingham University (BA Hons, English and Philosophy, 2(:1)); BPP Law School, Lincoln’s Inn (diploma in law).

Mentions

Midland Circuit • Regional Bar

Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety)

LEADING JUNIORS1

Ben Mills –St Philips Chambers 'Ben is very approachable, very flexible in his approach to instructions, and able to communicate effectively with clients. He is an excellent advocate, and his court manner and understanding of the law is excellent.'