Crown Office Chambers

Mike Atkins practises exclusively in the field of criminal regulatory law, with particular expertise in health and safety, inquests, consumer law, product safety, fire safety, environmental law, and food safety. He regularly appears in significant and high-profile cases, both in his own right and as a junior. He is instructed in cases of corporate and gross negligence manslaughter, prosecutions following fatal and other serious accidents, and appeals against enforcement notices. He frequently appears on behalf of multinational and household name companies as well as directors, employees and public bodies.

He has experience of cases involving construction and demolition, work at height, manufacturing and technology, warehousing and logistics, the rail industry, waste management and recycling, mining and quarrying, work with asbestos, fire safety, gas and electrical safety, medical treatment, residential care, schools and nurseries, food poisoning and severe allergic reactions, deaths in custody, and road traffic accidents. His regulatory and consumer experience includes consumer protection, product safety, food safety, trade descriptions and advertising, the regulation of medical devices, and building regulations. He is also instructed in prosecutions for environmental offences including cases of serious water pollution and breaches of permit conditions.

As junior counsel, he secured the acquittal of the first NHS Trust to be charged with corporate manslaughter. He was junior counsel for the acquitted Managing Director in the Lion Steel corporate manslaughter case, and junior counsel to the Coroner in the inquests into the Lakanal House tower block fire which lasted 3 months. He secured the acquittal, after a 7 day jury trial, of a director charged with neglect after an employee suffered serious injuries in a fall from height.

He regularly advises on challenges to invoices issued under the HSE Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme. He has been appointed to List B of the list of specialist regulatory advocates to prosecute on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and the Office of Rail and Road and is a contributor to Westlaw Insight on food law.

Called 2006, Middle Temple. Tenant at Crown Office Chambers since 2008. Formerly a tenant at 6 King’s Bench Walk (Chambers of David Fisher QC and David Perry QC) 2007-2008.

Basic German.

Health and Safety Lawyers Association.

Barton Court Grammar School, Canterbury; Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge (2004, BA First Class (Hons) Law); BVC 2006 (Outstanding).

Football, squash, electric guitar.