Health & Safety
UK Bar Guide 2025 : Midlands (Bar)
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
0845 210 5555Chambers Review
No5 Barristers' Chambers is a highly regarded set on the Midlands Circuit, and is regularly instructed to both prosecute and defend a wide range of health and safety offences. Members are noted for their adroit representation of individual and corporate defendants, as well as several regulators and local authorities. A number of tenants are on the Regulatory List of Prosecution Counsel for the HSE, EA and CQC, and the team also has experience of appearing at inquests. Members at the set recently prosecuted Staffordshire County Council following a fatal tree fall. Instructing solicitors note that the group has "a wealth of information and experience," and its "expertise is second to none."
Danny Griffiths is the director of clerking in Birmingham.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerking is excellent. They are very attentive and always ensure that we have what we need."
"The clerking team is really strong. It's been really easy to create a relationship with them."
"The clerks introduce themselves, provide contact details and are prompt in answering questions."
"The clerking is excellent. They are very attentive and always ensure that we have what we need."
"The clerking team is really strong. It's been really easy to create a relationship with them."
"The clerks introduce themselves, provide contact details and are prompt in answering questions."
Notable Practitioners
Bernard Thorogood is an astute senior junior who has developed an enviable regulatory practice. He prosecutes and defends complex health and safety cases across the country and is also adept in related inquests. He continues to elicit praise for his extensive experience and knowledge of health and safety law.
"Bernard is an effortless, silky-smooth barrister who operates well at all levels. His advice is on point and provides clarity."
"He is extremely thorough and has an excellent manner with clients. He is excellent at responding quickly and appropriately."
"He is my go-to health and safety junior for difficult inquests concerning deaths in the workplace; he is at the very top of the tree for that. He is fantastic."
Tim Pole is a well-regarded health and safety practitioner in the Midlands who acts for local authorities and the HSE, as well as various private sector entities. He has experience handling prosecutions and HSE investigations and navigating through sentencing exercises following serious injury and death.
"He is very analytical, smart and helpful. He is a very nice advocate and he deals well with opponents and judges."
"Tim is commercially astute and affable, and he works hard."
Christopher Hopkins is held in high regard throughout the market for his ability to represent clients in cases arising from fatal incidents. He is routinely called upon to defend private companies, although he also boasts notable strength in acting as the prosecution.
"His advice is at the right level and his advocacy is very good. He is absolutely superb."
Ian Bridge is experienced in both the defence and prosecution of health and safety cases. He is well placed to handle serious injury and fatal accident incidents across a range of industries, including construction and manufacturing.
"Ian won't leave any stone unturned and is very good on his feet. His knowledge is excellent, and he is very good at outlining the law to judges."