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As a result of the huge growth in the number of
Environmental, Health and Safety, and other forms of statutory
controls in the past few years, there are now more regulatory
proceedings of all kinds than ever before.
At the same time, a steady increase in general awareness of
environmental and related legislation means that the demand for
civil litigation proceedings - some of them in the full glare of
the media - is rising all the time.
High-Profile Cases
Many of the significant environmental and health and safety
issues which make headline news result in civil or criminal
proceedings, or both. Members of Chambers appear in all types
of such proceedings, both as advocates and as members of the
tribunal.
Cases involving members of Chambers:
- Public Inquiry into the Southall Railway Accident (1999) and
the Joint Public Inquiry into Railway Safety (2000) - the Chairman
and joint Chairman appointed was a member and former Head of
Keating Chambers
- the Heathrow Tunnel collapse - specialist construction counsel
in the Health and Safety Executive prosecution is a member of
Keating Chambers
- the "Irish Sea litigation", involving alleged contamination of
the Irish Sea and Irish mainland by nuclear waste products from
UK-based nuclear power installations - leading counsel from
Keating Chambers was appointed
- the Scarborough hotel collapse - counsel from Keating Chambers
represented two of the parties (in Holbeck
Hall Hotel v Scarborough Borough Council and GTEN
(1998) 57 Con LR 113), one of whom was also
involved in the Court of Appeal hearing of the case
- the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Yorkshire Water -
chaired by a senior member of Keating Chambers.
The Range of Specialist Work
Not all environmental and health and safety work is so highly
publicised or on such a large scale. Many other cases are
heard in the civil and criminal courts, and in specialist tribunals
and inquiries. These include prosecutions under the Building Act
and Building Regulations, the Environmental Protection Act,
and the Water Resources Act, and extend to criminal and civil
actions relating to building-site injuries to workers or third
parties, pollution, noise, or damage to other property. But what
every case shares with the headline makers is the need for
specialised, timely advice and assistance.
Our members offer an exceptional range of knowledge and skills
to meet all their clients' needs in this type of work.
Further InformationFor further information on how our members can assist you, please contact the Senior Clerks,
John Munton and
Nick Child, in the first instance, on +44(0)20 7544 2600. They and their teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.