Criminal Regulatory/Health & Safety
- R (HSE) v An engineering inspection body & Another – Successfully secured the unanimous jury acquittal of a leading engineering inspection business, following a 3-week trial at Reading Crown Court. The company was prosecuted by the HSE following the death of an employee, falling from height whilst surveying a customer’s complex 3-story structure. The customer company, a car manufacturer, was a co-defendant in the case and was convicted of charges under s2 and s3 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (led by Simon Antrobus KC).
- London Borough of Camden v William Hill Organisation Ltd – Successfully defended William Hill in relation to a fatal accident in which a large metal advertising sign fell from above the William Hill bookmakers on Camden Road in North London and struck a member of the public. After a 6-week trial and 8 days of jury deliberation, the company was found not guilty of two health and safety offences (led by John Cooper KC). https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6358319/William-Hill-cleared-health-safety-offences-440lb-sign-killed-lawyer.html
- R v MEU – Secured the acquittal of a leading manufacturer of agricultural balers. The case concerned an incident in which a farmer lost his arm whilst using a baler manufactured by the defendant company. His arm was drawn into moving parts of the baler and was amputated at the shoulder. The Health and Safety Executive brought charges under Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. At the conclusion of a 12-day trial, the jury acquitted the defendant of both charges. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9432554/farmer-arm-torn-off-hay-baling
- R (HSE) v MS Ltd – Represented a water utility company charged with a health and safety offence relating to the death of a football fan who died after falling into an excavation close to his home. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5598731/Football-fan-40-died-falling-roadworks-hole-near-home.html
- R (HSE) v RJL Ltd. – Represented a lift inspection company charged with a health and safety offence following the death of an employee. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10291743/Engineer-24-died-fell-lift-got-trapped-against-wall-M-ller-UK-factory.html
- R (HSE) v T Ltd. and D Ltd. – Represented two companies in separate prosecutions by the HSE for offences relating to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Non causative disposals secured in both cases, despite multiple RIDDOR reports submitted to the HSE declaring diagnoses of HAVS and health surveillance evidence indicating such diagnoses in both cases.
- R (HSE) v AUK Ltd. – Represented a company charged with a health and safety offence arising out of the decommissioning of the platform ‘Brent Bravo’, which was part of the Brent oil and gas field in the North Sea.
Selected Cases
Environmental
- R (Natural England) v Benham-Crosswell – Represented a retired army colonel charged with destruction of great crested newt habitat. It was alleged that he had drained a number of inter-connecting ponds which were known to be a great crested newt breeding ground. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3825944/Retired-army-colonel-loses-battle-great-crested-newt-fined-1-000-draining-lake-home.html
- Environment Agency v Starbuck – Represented a haulier charged with unlawfully depositing controlled waste on a number of occasions as part of a commercial fly-tipping operation around the M25 in Kent. Twelve defendants.
- Environment Agency v Lee & RBPC Ltd – Represented a company director charged with unlawfully depositing approximately 5000 cubic meters of controlled waste on land in Berkshire.
- Environment Agency v I Ltd – Represented a company charged with multiple breaches in respect of two waste transfer stations in West London.
Selected Cases
Driving Offences
Sandesh has experience of representing professional drivers for a range of offences (including speeding, careless driving, dangerous driving and causing death by careless or dangerous driving) and of road traffic related inquests (often when there is an ongoing criminal investigation).
- R v M– Represented the driver of a large tipper lorry which was involved in a collision with a cyclist on Cheyne Walk. The collision occurred as the lorry was turning left onto Battersea Bridge. It was alleged that the driver failed to check his mirrors and use his indicators appropriately. The cyclist was drawn under the wheels of the lorry and suffered serious injuries. Her right leg was amputated below the knee. At the conclusion of a six-day trial, the jury acquitted the driver of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and all available alternatives (dangerous driving and careless driving).
- Re: L – Driver under investigation for causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the death of a cyclist on a motorway. Represented the driver at inquest. Successfully argued that he should not be required to answer questions in relation to the incident pursuant to Rule 22. Challenged the police forensic collision investigator’s evidence that the motorcyclist would have been visible to the driver prior to the incident. No charges brought following the inquest.
Selected Cases
View full profile »Awards
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Events
Qualifications
- LLB (Hons), University of Bristol
- BVC, College of Law, London
Memberships
- ARDL
- HSLA
Recommendations
“Sandesh is definitely a silk in the making.” “Head and shoulders above any other junior working in health and safety.” “A class act, he is very smooth and succinct but does not take rubbish points.” “Has a forensic eye for detail which is unrivalled.”
(2025)
“Sandesh’s attention to detail is second to none. He is smart and thinks outside the box.” “Understated and technically brilliant which is a particularly good combination for difficult matters in this field of work.”
(2025)
“Excellent all round. Thorough, impressive, focused and meticulous in his preparation. He is all over a case and is a go-to for complex cases – he’s got it all.”
(2024)
“He is extremely intelligent and brilliant on technical cases involving science which he is able to bring down into a more simple form.” “Sandesh is an exceptional and articulate barrister. His tactical and strategic approach is impressive.”
(2024)
“Extremely bright, very thorough and has great attention to detail. He gets right to the heart of a case. His advocacy is clear and very impressive.” “His attention to detail and preparation are first class and he has great client care but can be firm when necessary …. he will always ensure that the client’s position is protected and stand his ground.”
(2023)
“Really gets into the detail and is very methodical. He has a great eye for detail and is able to anticipate the issues in advance.” “A very smooth and effective advocate.” “He is extremely diligent, thorough and very good with clients.” “He is incredibly impressive, a brilliant advocate. He is meticulous, thorough and one of the most hard-working barristers I know.”
(2022)
“Whether leading or being led, Sandesh has an intimate knowledge of the documents and facts from the very outset in a case. This ability to “get into” the case stand him apart from his competitors and his preparation is unrivalled. He is able to adapt and think on his feet at a moments notice and it really gives clients faith that they are in good hands. He is always thinking about the bigger picture and understands the commercial implications for clients.” “He’s incredibly diligent, hard-working, and his attention to detail is second to none. A brilliant junior.”
(2021)
