Regulatory and compliance

Our Regulatory team lead, Kathryn Gilbertson, has been described as a ‘leading light’ in the sector.

Her team can advise you on: 

• Bribery Act Compliance
• Corporate Manslaughter
• Dawn Raids
• Directors liability
• Environment
• Fire Safety
• Food law
• Health and Safety
• Interviews under Caution
• Product liability and Recall
• Risk Assessment
• Trading Standards

We provide clients with a “route map” through the laws that affect their businesses. This approach allows them to achieve compliance without restricting their corporate goals.

We give time critical advice and practical solutions to businesses when the Environment Agency (EA); Food Standards Agency (FSA); Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA); Groceries Code Adjudicator; Health and Safety Executive (HSE); and Local Authority enforcement officers such as the Trading Standards Officer (TSO) attend site.

We provide training to clients and professional bodies. Recently these have included:

Let us help you avoid the criminal courts, and the PR damage to your brand and reputation, by having a legal compliance review today.

Get in touch with Partner Kathryn Gilbertson

Voted Food Safety Regulation Law Firm of the Year in England – 2018

Global Law Experts 

The Legal 500 commends regulatory expert Kathryn Gilbertson who is recommended in the elite national ‘leading lawyers’ list:

“Kathryn Gilbertson has an outstanding reputation for regulatory and business defence matters nationwide.” (Environment, 2020)

“One of the best in the region for corporate crime matters.” (Crime, 2019)

From prevention to prosecution we have the practical experience and expertise to help you with the increasing threat of Bribery and Corruption.

The Bribery Act 2010 poses many challenges for organisations operating in the UK and overseas.  You may need to rethink how you conduct business and with whom.  If you trade with the US, then the Foreign Corrupt Practises Act may impact on your business.

Our sector approach will help businesses operating within the agricultural, construction, food and manufacturing sectors.

The offence of failing to prevent bribery requires organisations to put in place “adequate procedures” to prevent bribery by employees or any other associated person.  Failure to comply with the Act can lead to unlimited fines, significant reputational damage and may impact on future commercial relationships.

We can assist with:

• Assistance with Investigations and Prosecutions
• Crisis Management and “dawn raids”
• Drafting and implementation of Anti-Bribery Policies and Procedures
• Internal investigations into suspected acts of bribery or corruption within your organisation
• Interviews under caution
• Representation and advice during compulsory questioning
• Risk Assessments
• Training from employee to board level

Get in touch by calling Kathryn Gilbertson.

We provide advice and assistance to national companies, property developers, SMEs and private individuals on environmental compliance matters.

Where litigation is unavoidable then we will robustly defend proceedings.

We are renowned for our proactive approach, seeking negotiated solutions with the Environment Agency or local environment/ planning officer whenever possible.

Recent work highlights include:

Our clients consider us to be part of their in-house team.  As such we frequently attend their sites to consider compliance issues within the local environmental context, meet with the operators and supervisors, as well as formulating improvements to their risk management protocols to enable them to rely on due diligence defences.

All courts now use the Sentencing Council’s tariff approved guidelines to impose penalties upon conviction.  Businesses and individuals need to take advice immediately following an incident to minimise risk and develop a robust case strategy.

We provide bespoke training on topical environmental issues.

Kathryn is a committee member for the Eastern Region of the UK Environmental Lawyers Association (UKELA).

For assistance, contact Kathryn Gilbertson, who heads our regulatory team. 

The Legal 500 speaks highly of Lead Partner Kathryn Gilbertson: 

“Lead partner Kathryn Gilbertson is a committee member for the Eastern Region of the UK Environmental Lawyers Association (UKELA), and has an outstanding reputation for regulatory and business defence matters nationwide.” (2020)

Whether it is an issue of food hygiene, labelling, safety or standards we can help.

Our specialist lawyers will help you achieve a safe commercial solution by demystifying the law.

We have successfully defended businesses in the courts for food hygiene and safety breaches as well as challenged various Food Labelling Regulations and their interpretation by Judicial Review.

Work highlights include:

We speak at national conferences on food law matters and work closely with the leading professional bodies.  We regularly organise a mock trial event for members of the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology (SOFHT) and have done so for over 10 years.

Kathryn Gilbertson was awarded a fellowship of SOFHT in 2012. She is a member of the advisory board of The Institute of Food Safety, Integrity and Protection (TIFSIP).  Kathryn also provided guidance to Professor Elliott during his investigation into the integrity and assurance of Food Supply Networks as a result of the horsemeat scandal.

We are members of the British Hospitality Association.

Every food business may be inspected by the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) or Trading Standards Officer (TSO) who may carry out an audit, investigate a complaint or provide advice on best practise. The results of such visits can leave the Food Business Operator (FBO) confused:

• How bad was the inspection?
• What do I have to do?
• Can I serve rare meat such as burgers?
• Can I appeal against the notice served?
• How do I appeal the hygiene rating scores?

We have the skills and knowledge to help FBOs to chart the right path.

Get in touch by contacting Kathryn Gilbertson.

Our team is recognised as a “leader in the field” of Health and Safety.

Our renowned lawyers will give you commercial advice aimed at minimising risks and preserving your business continuity.

We have successfully advised and defended companies and their directors in Health and Safety matters. Our team provides a series of options and recommends effective strategies – not just ‘standard’ legal solutions.

We regularly advice on issues relating to:

What makes us different?

• We give time critical advice and practical solutions to enable the business to continue to operate while an incident is being investigated both internally and by the regulator.
• We adopt the “hands on” approach supporting employees and senior management during the voluntary and section 20 interviews or interview under cautions.
• Our crisis management plan is an essential tool that gives directors what they need most at such times – peace of mind.
• We have successfully defended not only a number of companies and their directors but also professionals who were charged due to their professional guidance being suspected of causing or contributing to the incident.

How we add value

• It’s not all about being reactive to health and safety issues – our specialist team offers bespoke health and safety training sessions from “Inspector Calls” to Directors Duties.  This essential training offers practical advice on every stage of the process.
• We host quarterly safety briefings and send email alerts to clients.  If you would like to receive information to help keep up to date, register here.

For assistance, contact Kathryn Gilbertson, who heads our regulatory team.

The Legal 500 rates us as a first tier firm for our Health and Safety team:

“The firm provides creative solutions in new areas of health and safety law, including niche areas such as property guardianship regulation.” (2019)

“Kathryn Gilbertson has a well-established reputation as a leading light in the field and clients praise her ‘in-depth knowledge and ability to find solutions that are both practical and creative’.” (2017)