Robert Dacre

Criminal Regulatory

Robert represents companies and individuals in criminal regulatory proceedings, particularly those brought by the HSE and the Environment Agency. He has experience of providing early advice in respect of prosecutions brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He accepts instructions in all matters involving alleged breaches of criminal regulations including the HSWA, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Housing Act 2004, Security Industry Act 2001 and Food Safety Act 1990.

He prides himself on quickly identifying the crux of complex regulatory cases, and on providing strategic and commercial advice.

His regulatory practice extends to criminal trading standards cases. He is currently instructed as prosecution junior counsel in a major trading standards case brought by Oxfordshire County Council.

Notable Cases:

HSE v a company

Represented a construction company in respect of charges brought under the HSWA.

GCC v a company

Represented a biomass company for several offences arising from alleged breaches of planning permission.

RBC v a company

Represented a major supermarket for breach of environmental protection regulations.

UU v JEM

Advised and represented a company faced with 5 offences under the Water Industry Act 1991. The case involved complex and conflicting expert evidence in relation to the risk of environmental harm.

EA v J

 Instructed to defend in an Environment Agency prosecution under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010.

EA v M

 Instructed to prosecute an individual on behalf of the Environment Agency for pollution offences.