Laura Nash

Call 2009

Laura Nash | Call 2009

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Overview

Laura draws on her coronial and judicial experience when acting for companies in fire safety and health and safety offences. She has a particular strength in advising how to present such cases to a jury, making technical evidence accessible and persuasive.

“A clever and articulate advocate who never backs down from a fight.”
The Legal 500 2021

Laura has been appointed as a Specialist Regulatory Advocate in Health and Safety and Environmental Law.

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Laura acts in complex health and safety matters in both criminal and coroner’s courts. She is often instructed early in proceedings to advise on disclosure issues as well as potential PFD concerns. Laura is experienced dealing with technical expert evidence.

Laura both prosecutes and defends for the Health and Safety Executive as well as acted for the HSE as a PIP. She is also on the special panel to prosecute for the Care Quality Commission. Laura has also prosecuted for the fire service.

INQUESTS

  • In the Matter of RW (Wakefield Coroner’s Court)
    Acting for a lifeguard following the drowning of a three-year old boy in a pool at a national health club. The case was covered by the Daily Mail, ITV and the BBC as well as extensive local news coverage.
  • In the Matter of RQ (Cumbria Coroner’s Court)
    Acting for a driver following the detachment of a trailer from a work van, involving extensive engineering expert evidence. No criticisms were found of the driver at the conclusion of the seven-day inquest.
  • In the Matter of JPB (Liverpool Coroner’s Court) 
    Representing the security and cleaning services at a shopping centre following the death of a homeless man who had fallen asleep in a skip used by the centre.
  • In the Matter of JL (Stafford Coroner’s Court) 
    HSE inquest acting on behalf of the family, following a cattle-related death of an employee on a dairy farm.
  • In the Matter of CCT(Preston Coroner’s Court) 
    Seven-day inquest into the death of a customer at liveried stables and riding school, which involved complex legal argument relating to privilege against self-incrimination. Instructed on behalf of the Local Authority.
  • In the matter of RA (Sheffield Coroners Court)
    Acting for a housing charity following the death of a resident in a fire who had recently been released from prison. Case involved possible causes of the fire as well as the charity’s obligations in respect of fire safety.

CRIMINAL

  • HSE v Melba Products Ltd (Manchester Magistrates Court)
    Acting for the company in a HSE prosecution following the loss of a finger by an employee who placed his hand into operational machinery. Despite a history of poor compliance with the regulator the company received a reduced fine to reflect the changes that had been implemented following the incident.
  • HSE v IH (Crown Court at Manchester Minshull St)
    Prosecuted a builder who was guilty of the Work at Height Regulations as well as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as the person who was in control of a building site and who had been issued two Prohibition Notices for failing to take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent falls from height during roof work.
  • HSE v DAL Ltd (Manchester City Magistrates’ Court)
    Acting for a metal fabrication company in a prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 following an employee losing a finger while operating unguarded machinery and wearing gloves.
  • HSE v R&B 
    Advising an engineering company following receipt of Prohibition Notice.
  • HSE v Arrow Flexible Packaging (Trafford Magistrates’ Court)
    Defending the owners of a factory where worker lost a finger whilst operating machinery.
  • South Wales Fire & Rescue Service v Farrington Care Homes Ltd (Cardiff Magistrates Court)
    Defending a care home against ten charges of fire safety breaches, including risks of death and serious injury.
  • North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service v Lumley (Crown Court at York)
    Defending a retired builder in a case following a fatality of an employee living in a “granny annex”.
  • Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service v Mannan (Manchester Magistrates’ Court)
    Defending the owner of a local fast food restaurant, prosecuted for breaching GMFRS guidelines.
  • Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service v Amilico (Stockport Magistrates’ Court) 
    Prosecuting breaches of fire safety legislation at a warehouse in Stockport.
  • Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service v B&M Quilting (Stockport Magistrates’ Court) 
    Prosecuting breaches of fire safety legislation at a business premises in Stockport.