Alexandra Tampakopoulos

Criminal Regulatory

Alexandra has developed a recognised expertise in criminal regulatory matters relating to breaches of Health & Safety, Food Safety and Fire Safety legislation.

In the Health and Safety field, her practice covers the full range of offences from corporate to gross negligence manslaughter to prosecutions under the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 arising from fatal and non-fatal accidents. She also advises and acts in relation to appeals against Enforcement and Prohibition Notices as well a substantives appeals against conviction and sentence in the Court of Appeal.

Alexandra has acted for clients, both individuals and corporate entities, across a wide range of industries including Energy, Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Food. She is regularly instructed in inquests which often precede prosecutions for H&S offences by the HSE.

Alexandra has extensive experience advising in matters related to Food Safety, Hygiene and Labelling and has defended a number of prominent restaurants, food and coffee chains as well as food manufacturers.

In addition, Alexandra has also advised in matters related to breaches of Fire Safety legislation including appeals against Enforcement Notices under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

She is a specialist defence advocate and is ranked as a leading individual in the Health & Safety section in Chambers UK 2022.

Notable & Recent Cases

Court of Appeal – R v Places For People Homes ([2021] EWCA Crim 410)

Acted in appeal against sentence for an offence contrary to section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) in relation to the use of vibrating tools by employees. It was argued on behalf of the Appellant that in applying Step 4 of the Sentencing Guidelines the Appellant should have been treated in the same way as a charity and therefore entitled to a substantial reduction in fine, in excess of the £350,000 figure the sentencing judge had allowed. The Court of Appeal held that a Community Benefit Society is equivalent to a charity and it should be entitled to a substantial reduction of fine as indicated at Step 4 of the Sentencing Guidelines. Accordingly, the fine was reduced by £200,000 resulting in an overall reduction on the basis of Step 4 considerations of £550,000.

HSE v PFPH

Defended in prosecution of charitable body for breaches of Health & Safety legislation relating to the use of vibrating tools and appeared in appeal above.

HSE v NG

Defended in prosecution of power company for breaches of Health & Safety legislation in relation to gas safety in HRMOBs.

Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry

Acting in relation to the Public Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire which resulted in the deaths of 71 people on 14th June 2017.

Westminster City Council (Environmental Health) v SH

Defended a renowned private members club in respect of a Food Safety and Hygiene prosecution.

Westminster City Council (Environmental Health) v CN

Defended a well-known coffee chain in respect of a Food Safety and Hygiene prosecution.

Didcot A Power Station

Advising in respect of the Didcot A Power Station collapse which resulted in the deaths of four men on 23rd February 2016.

Westminster City Council (Environmental Health) v RT

Defended a renowned and long standing Soho food establishment and its director in respect of a Food Safety and Hygiene prosecution.

Inquest re SH

Representing the Site Manager at Inquest and in criminal proceedings following the death of an employee and serious injuries caused to another employee at a recycling plant. Both workers had been working within a trommel designed to sift waste when the machine was inadvertently activated.

Inquest re DM

Representing a lifeguard at an inquest concerning the drowning of a young man with epilepsy at a swimming pool.

Inquest re SS

Representing a water utility company in relation to an inquest involving the death of a young man who suffered fatal injuries when he crashed his car on a flooded road known for flooding.