Olliers – more than just a criminal defence firm

Olliers Solicitors have been at the forefront of criminal defence work for decades, providing advice and assistance to individuals and businesses facing some of the most difficult times of their lives.

This year is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the firm’s long and successful history with increased staff numbers, increased and varied casework and our move to brand new offices at Northspring (Peter Street). It is therefore a good time to take a few moments to highlight our work beyond criminal defence and in particular the work of our regulatory department which we believe allows Olliers to offer clients, particular professionals, a truly holistic approach to navigating their issues which few others are able to match.

What is regulatory law?

Regulatory law touches on many areas of our everyday lives, from health and safety laws, designed to ensure that employers keep their employees and even non-employees safe, to trading standards designed to protect consumers. Regulatory law also encompasses matters such as fire safety legislation and environmental law matters which touch upon everyone’s daily life when we consider the human impact, that breaches of such legislation can have on every single one of us. Our team are also regularly called upon to provide advice and assistance to regulated professionals facing misconduct investigations and associated proceedings.

What do Olliers’ regulatory solicitors do?

Our regulatory department is headed by Gareth Martin who is a solicitor and partner with the firm. Gareth works alongside associate solicitors, James Claughton and Martha Odysseos to ensure that our clients are supported at every stage of their case and our lawyers pride themselves on providing not only appropriate advice and assistance but the highest standards of client care to match.

We take a proactive approach and will do everything possible to help an individual or organisation under investigation to avoid a prosecution or disciplinary action. We will generally seek to establish early dialogue with investigators, exploring all avenues with a view to achieving a swift resolution. Where appropriate we will attend interviews and/or hearings, draft responses and/or appropriate submissions, always with our clients’ aims and objectives central to what we do.

Whilst our primary objective is always to nip an investigation in the bud and minimise the impact upon our clients, the reality is that this is not always possible. However, our clients can be reassured that our regulatory lawyers understand the impact such matters can have upon the lives of an individual and their business or professional life and so no matter how lengthy and complex a matter may be, our team are always on hand to assist, offering pragmatic and tailored advice to those who instruct us.

Who are our clients?

At Olliers, our team of experienced regulatory lawyers act for individuals and businesses facing investigation and prosecution by the full spectrum of authorities and regulatory bodies including the police; Health and Safety Executive (HSE); Trading Standards; General Medical Council (GMC); General Dental Council (GDC); Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); Care Quality Commission (CQC); the Environment Agency and those responsible for overseeing fire safety legislation.

What makes Olliers different from other regulatory practices?

Our aim is for Olliers to become a go-to practice for all regulatory and associated criminal matters.

Partner, Gareth Martin has said, “With extensive experience in both criminal and regulatory cases, Olliers are uniquely placed to represent businesses and individuals facing such investigations and proceedings. Given that the two are often inextricably linked, we offer a holistic approach which ensures consistency in the defence approach and in turn the best possible outcome for those we represent”.

What expertise do Olliers have in regulatory law?

Some of our most recent cases include:

Professional discipline/regulatory proceedings 

• Ongoing – NMC/CQC – instructed by the owner of an aesthetics clinic under investigation by both regulatory bodies 
• Ongoing – GMC investigation – instructed by a GP currently under investigation by both the police and the GMC in respect of historical sexual offences.  
• 2024 – NMC proceedings – representing a nurse following the concerns raised about potential fraud at Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, Nigeria.
• 2024 – TRA proceedings – representing a teacher in respect of allegations of misconduct of a sexual nature. We recently successfully opposed a TRA application for the imposition of an Interim Prohibition Order with comprehensive written submissions on behalf of our client. 
• 2024 – TRA proceedings – representing a teacher in relation to parallel criminal and TRA matters following allegations of supporting a proscribed organisation through online posts made in relation to the ongoing Israel/Palestine conflict which are being investigated by Counter Terrorism officers from the Metropolitan Police. 
• TRA v M – instructed by a teacher in respect of matters brought by the TRA. Successfully defended allegation of sexual misconduct /sexually motivated behaviour

Health and Safety

• Operation Northleigh – Ongoing Metropolitan Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire 
• HSE v C – currently instructed by a multinational meat processing company in respect of proceedings brought by the HSE following an incident which resulted in an employee amputating a finger. 
• HSE v B – instructed by a roofing company in relation to an ongoing HSE investigation into a fall from height incident which sadly led to the death of a sub-contractor. 
• HSE v N – providing advice and assistance to an telehandler driver under investigation by the HSE following the death of a male on a construction site  
• R v S – representing one of four individuals facing trial for manslaughter as a result of an incident on the Manchester Metrolink in 2016. 

Expert regulatory lawyers (nationwide)

If you are facing a regulatory investigation or the possibility of an investigation and wish to speak to one of our team, please contact us at the earliest possible opportunity for a confidential discussion. We are able to represent you wherever you are based across England and Wales.

You can telephone us on 0161 834 1515 (Manchester) or 020 3883 6790 (London), email us at info@olliers.com or complete the web enquiry form below.

You can expect quick responses and a high level of service from our lawyers and support team. We will listen to your concerns and then advise on the next steps. We will guide you through every step of the process and use all of our expertise to achieve the right outcome for you.