Advocates
Regulatory Prosecutions
Regulatory offences are on the interface of civil and criminal practice and require the specialist advisory and advocacy skills which Compass Chambers demands of its regulatory crime practitioners.
The increasing public scrutiny of the activities of government departments, local authorities, statutory bodies, charities, public and private companies, partnerships and individuals in business has led to the development of a huge range of statutory rules and regulations governing their operations.
Compass Chambers provides counsel at all levels of seniority with experience and proven ability in both the prosecution and defence of all types of regulatory offences. We will provide counsel who are able to give expert advice and advocacy services from the initial stages of investigation through to both trial and, where necessary , courts of appeal.
Health and Safety Prosecutions:
As a body of legislation which applies to all sectors and sizes of employers, every business requires to conduct its operations in accordance with the general health and safety law and the particular rules applying to many specially regulated industries. As well as being a source of potential criminal liability, these diverse rules and regulations and employers' attitude to, and compliance with them are often very important matters in the maintenance of effective and productive relations with both regulators and trades unions. Compass Chambers can provide advocates with extensive experience in this field, with the ability to provide expert advice and representation where necessary.
Corporate Financial Prosecutions:
In the context of Corporate Financial Crime, the investigation and prosecution of offences arising under the Companies Acts, revenue and customs issues, director's disqualification provisions, financial services rules, the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Acts, and increasingly the Proceeds of Crime Act, are but examples of the type of statutory financial offences in respect of which our regulatory crime practitioners are regularly instructed.
Environmental Prosecutions:
Control of pollution, water purity, sewage treatment, waste management, and contaminated land remediation are among the investigations and prosecutions which are increasingly being encountered by members specialising in this rapidy developing area. Similarly, investigation and prosecutions arising from planning issues, and wildlife and countryside protection are being frequently pursued.
Other Regulatory Prosecutions:
Other regulatory areas in respect of which members of chambers are regularly instructed include:
- Road traffic (and in particular charges involving allegations of causing death by dangerous driving);
- Road haulage;
- Fisheries;
- Liquor and gaming licensing;
- Criminal aspects of consumer protection, consumer credit, trade descriptions and pricing, trademarks and copyright.