Financial Crime; POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture; Health & Safety; Administrative & Public Law; Environment. Regulatory investigations; corporate crime; financial crime; Coroner’s inquests; public inquiries. Corporate manslaughter; health and safety; fire safety; food safety; environmental protection; consumer protection and trading standards. Serious fraud; tax fraud; money laundering; bribery and corruption; insider dealing and market abuse. AML/ABC compliance; recovery of the proceeds of crime (restraint; confiscation; cash seizure; unexplained wealth; civil recovery); judicial review of the actions of investigators. Crisis management; corporate and director liability; corporate internal investigations; corporate engagement with regulators; responding to complex investigations and prosecutions.
Burges Salmon LLP
The ‘formidable’ Bristol-based practice at Burges Salmon LLP, noted for its ’immense experience’, is led by rail specialist Ann Metherall who also leads the team’s 24-hour major incidents response service. The team is well-equipped to handle the full array of matters across industry sectors and its workload often involves major disasters, multiple fatalities and corporate manslaughter investigations; areas which Guy Bastable has ample experience handling. Notable changes to the team include the promotion of the ‘ruthlessly efficient’ Charlotte Whitaker to partner in May 2023, and the departure of Sian Edmunds to a food and beverage manufacturing company in January 2023. ’Incredibly bright’ senior associate Sam Aldous is a key name within the practice, and Ben Davies is praised by clients for being ‘a wise head on young shoulders’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A first-class team with strength and depth in all areas. Immense experience, combined with hard work and excellent judgment make them a difficult team to beat.'
- 'Ann Metherall is a class act who I cannot recommend highly enough. She manages a formidable team with admirable skill. Charlotte Whitaker is hardworking, ruthlessly efficient, a great team-leader and a pleasure to work with. Marisa Hornabrook is an up-and-coming star, whose analytical and organisational skills put others to shame.'
- 'The Burges Salmon team have a great range of expertise as well as many years experience advising the sector. Their knowledge of the rail sector is second to none.'
- 'Ben Davies is an excellent solicitor, efficient and very knowledgeable about the law in this area. He has great client care and good judgement.'
- 'The team has great knowledge in the rail health and safety sector in particular.'
- 'Ben Davies is a very impressive young associate; a wise head on young shoulders.'
- 'Guy Bastable has a wealth of experience in heavyweight health and safety investigations. Burges Salmon ably represents major corporate clients in all manner of HSE investigations, including fatalities.'
- 'Guy Bastable is a strategic genius in high demand with a candid, no-nonsense approach to litigation. Sam Aldous is incredibly bright and knowledgeable on all his cases, bringing a good sense of humour to his work.'
Key clients
- The Crown Estate
- FirstGroup PLC
- John Lewis Partnership plc
Work highlights
- Acting for a transport operator following a multi-fatality accident during investigations by the police, safety regulator and Coroner.
- Advising a recycling operator during an HSE investigation following a fatal accident at its site.
- Acting for an energy company in relation to a multi-fatality incident during investigations by the police, safety regulator and Coroner.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Head of the firm's Dispute Resolution unit. Specialises in strategic health and safety and risk management, liability claims and commercial disputes. At the heart of Ann’s work is support to clients in infrastructure businesses; in particular the transport, construction, energy and industrial sectors.
Rising stars
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ann Metherall