We’ve got the expertise to act nationwide in England and Wales, providing defence advice and representation in all sorts of regulatory investigations, criminal investigations, and court proceedings – everything from the HSE to local authorities.
From the moment trouble hits right through to a court appearance in front of the Magistrates’ or Crown Court, we’re there to support you every step of the way, making sure you get the best possible protection.
You see, health and safety law (safety law for short) puts some pretty tough duties on employers, organisations and individuals in charge of keeping workplaces and employment environments safe. Essentially, it boils down to controlling risks, having a solid risk assessment in place, and sticking to health and safety regulations.
Where there’s a suspicion of a health and safety breach or safety breach, the regulators may come knocking with a formal safety investigation or enforcement action. And it can start with something as simple as a workplace accident or incident.
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Some common triggers for this kind of action include:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is basically the health and safety cops, keeping an eye on all things health and safety in Great Britain.
An HSE investigation might go something like:
The regulators might issue:
Fire safety-related risks can also lead to enforcement action from the HSE or local authority fire enforcement teams.
When you get accused of a health and safety offence (or safety offence for short) it’s usually because you failed to manage workplace risks properly or didn’t comply with health and safety law duties.
These sorts of cases often get tangled up in wider criminal investigations, especially when serious harm or systemic failures are at the heart of things.
Some issues that come up time and time again include:
In the really serious cases, investigations can get to the point where:
Corporate manslaughter can kick in when senior management failings lead to a death and the organisation’s systems are found to be pretty much hopeless.
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 lets the authorities go after organisations for deaths caused by serious management failings.
These kinds of cases usually involve:
Even directors and senior individuals can face personal liability, including prison sentences in extreme cases.
Regulatory and criminal proceedings can bring some pretty severe consequences, including:
Recently, fines for health and safety breaches have gotten a lot bigger, especially in serious accident and fatality cases.
Our health and safety solicitors will give you full defence representation in all sorts of matters, including:
We act for employers, directors and organisations across loads of different sectors, including construction, manufacturing, logistics, retail and industrial operations.
We also do internal investigations, helping organisations figure out what went wrong and how to get better at sticking to health and safety legislation.
When a workplace incident or accident happens, getting immediate legal advice is pretty much essential.
We help organisations with:
Getting in on the ground floor with your health and safety issues can make all the difference – it can completely flip the direction of a case and actually end up getting you a better outcome when things go wrong with health and safety.
When you’re up against it with an HSE investigation hanging over you, or you’ve been accused of breaching health and safety regulations, or you’re facing an interview under caution and possibly even enforcement notices, then getting some solid advice from someone who’s been there before is absolutely crucial.
The sooner we get involved, the better we are at helping to manage the risks and keeping you on the right side of the law. We can also make sure you get the relevant updates and keep you well in the loop about where your case is at and what we’re up to.
If you or your business is under the spotlight with a health and safety issue or you’re facing prosecution under health and safety law, then you’re in the right place. Our team is here to offer you confidential advice and help you get the guidance you need right away – and it doesn’t matter where in England or Wales you are, we can act for you.
We deal with all sorts of health and safety cases – enforcement, regulatory stuff, and criminal cases too.
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If you have been arrested, you should not answer police questions until you have received expert legal advice from criminal defence solicitors.
You should only confirm your name and basic personal details before requesting legal representation. You are entitled to free legal advice whilst in police custody, and early representation at the police station can significantly affect the outcome of a criminal investigation.
Wilkstone Law provide immediate police station representation and expert legal advice for clients accused of criminal offences throughout Cardiff and across England and Wales.
If you have been released on police bail or released under investigation, it is important to seek expert legal advice as soon as possible.
Our criminal defence solicitors can review the evidence, advise you in relation to the investigation and consider whether pre-charge engagement with the police may be appropriate. In some criminal cases, early representations can result in allegations being dropped or no further action being taken.
We can also advise upon:
Early strategic advice can strengthen your defence and improve the outcome of your case.
Wilkstone Law can provide independent expert legal advice and a second opinion regarding your criminal defence matter.
Our solicitors can obtain the police disclosure and paperwork from the Duty Solicitor, review the evidence and advise whether the legal advice previously provided was appropriate in the circumstances.
We regularly assist clients who require ongoing representation following release from police custody and can take over conduct of the case where appropriate.
Call us as soon as possible – we will agree a fixed fee consultation to discuss and advise upon your case. At this meeting, we will advise you upon what happens next and will apply for copies of the police statements and evidence before your first court appearance.
We will carefully consider the evidence and advise you upon the strength of the police evidence and upon any defence that you may have to the charges you face. There may be urgent steps that we advise you to take to strengthen your defence before you appear in court.
The first appearance in any court case is at the Magistrates Court – we can appear in court on your behalf to represent you.
If you have been charged with a criminal offence and required to attend court, you should seek legal advice immediately.
Our criminal defence solicitors in Cardiff can advise you upon:
The first hearing in a criminal case will usually take place before the Magistrates’ Court. Early preparation and expert representation can make a significant difference to the progression and outcome of proceedings.
Yes. The first call to Wilkstone Law is free.
During the initial call, we can provide general guidance regarding next steps and arrange a fixed fee consultation to discuss your case in greater detail. However, we cannot provide case-specific legal advice until formally instructed.
Consultations can usually be arranged at short notice either in person, by telephone, or via video conference.
Our fixed fee consultations start from £500 plus VAT.
Following the initial consultation, we are often able to provide a fixed fee quotation for representation throughout the lifetime of your criminal case.
Legal fees will depend upon several factors including:
Wilkstone Law also advise clients in relation to legal aid and Legal Aid Agency funding where available.
Wilkstone Law are accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our Managing Director, Jon Wilkins, is recognised as a Grade A Solicitor by the Legal Aid Agency and is a recommended lawyer in The Legal 500.
Our criminal defence solicitors are highly regarded for providing expert legal advice and representation in serious and complex criminal cases.