R v Leigh Bakewell (2016)

Ben FitzGerald acted alone for the defendant in this Health and Safety Executive prosecution arising from a fatal accident.

The fatal accident; Leigh Bakewell’s best friend fell from height whilst both men were engaged in cleaning the roof lights at an industrial estate in Lancashire.

Ben’s role involved explaining the law and taking instructions from a client who was severely affected by the experience, negotiating a highly favourable basis of plea and then advancing mitigation in a case that, on its face, demanded a custodial sentence. Through clear and sympathetic advocacy, he was able to persuade the Judge to suspend that sentence. (Chester and Warrington Crown Courts).

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