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We are a team of more than 500 professionals, with the depth of experience which makes us genuine experts in our fields. Together, gunnercooke’s people have strength across just about every corporate discipline and sector. We provide legal, commercial and strategic advice that delivers real value to the clients we work with, which span from multinational enterprises through to unicorns and non-for-profit organisations. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting and important emerging disciplines, from ESG and charity law, to blockchain and competition.
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gunnercooke has 15 offices globally including the UK, Scotland, US, Germany and CEE, with further plans for growth in the coming years. These offices enhance the existing in-house capability of our dedicated international teams and dual-qualified experts that cover China and Hong Kong, Spain, France, Italy, Brazil and Portugal. Our team has experience working across 101 different countries, speaking 30 languages and are dual-qualified in 15 jurisdictions. Our expertise means we can offer large teams to carry out complex cross-border matters for major international clients.
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gunnercooke is the fastest growing corporate law firm in the UK, now making its mark globally. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
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Emma Bowens
Expertise
Emma Bowens is a specialist in Safety, Health and Environmental law and she has over 25 years experience in legal practice. Her work falls into the following main areas:
Advice following an Incident
Those investigated by the Police, HSE, Local Authority, Fire Authority, CQC or the Environment Agency benefit from urgent specialist legal advice to navigate the investigation process. Failing to take the right action, or not taking any action at all, can increase the chances of prosecution for both the organisation and individuals.
Emma routinely advises clients on:
- Regulator’s requests for information and documents
- Witness interviews
- RIDDOR reporting
- Interviews under Caution
- Coroner’s Inquests
- Prosecutions in both the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court
- Protecting reputation and the management of communications, including with the press
Compliance Advice
Emma can help clients avoid prosecution by reviewing their approach to achieving compliance. This includes advising on policies, identifying common problems that tend to result in prosecution, and identifying non-compliance/ risk trends within an organisation.
Training
Emma helps clients to prevent incidents by advising on workforce engagement and training. This can range from a single mock trial to a series of training events delivered as a rolling programme.
She has a proven track record for delivering training with impact. Several of Emma’s clients have achieved a significant reduction of incidents (up to 85%) and have gone on to win awards for their achievements in health and safety.
Her popular mock trials are a powerful reminder of what can happen when safety standards slip. Many delegates walk away from her sessions with action points that they are motivated to deliver, to make sure they are never in the same situation.
Emma Advises
- Organisations from a broad range of industries including manufacturing, construction, retail and leisure, ports, social care, and property management services
- Directors, senior managers and Health & Safety professionals who are investigated and/or prosecuted in their personal capacity
Experience Highlights
- The investigation, inquest and prosecution following the death of a worker during HGV unloading operations
- An investigation in relation to asbestos removal works
- A prosecution following multiple enforcement notices served on a housebuilder at a construction site
- The investigation, inquest and prosecution following a fatal accident due to an overloaded forklift truck
- The amputation of fingers due resulting from unguarded machinery in the manufacturing process
- An investigation concerning the death of a worker following exposure to chemicals in the workplace
- The police investigation and inquest concerning a service user who choked on food
- A food safety investigation following an allergic reaction to a meal
- Product safety allegations following the death of a member of the public whilst using the company’s product
- Advice and representation following an alleged breach of an environmental permit
- Advising on occupational health standards, risk controls and health surveillance
- Training to over 1000 people in one organisation. The client believes the training is a substantial reason for the company’s success in reducing RIDDOR reports by 85% over 5 years and they have gone on to win awards for their achievements in H&S
Expertise
Back to top
Emma Bowens is a specialist in Safety, Health and Environmental law and she has over 25 years experience in legal practice. Her work falls into the following main areas:
Advice following an Incident
Those investigated by the Police, HSE, Local Authority, Fire Authority, CQC or the Environment Agency benefit from urgent specialist legal advice to navigate the investigation process. Failing to take the right action, or not taking any action at all, can increase the chances of prosecution for both the organisation and individuals.
Emma routinely advises clients on:
- Regulator’s requests for information and documents
- Witness interviews
- RIDDOR reporting
- Interviews under Caution
- Coroner’s Inquests
- Prosecutions in both the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court
- Protecting reputation and the management of communications, including with the press
Compliance Advice
Emma can help clients avoid prosecution by reviewing their approach to achieving compliance. This includes advising on policies, identifying common problems that tend to result in prosecution, and identifying non-compliance/ risk trends within an organisation.
Training
Emma helps clients to prevent incidents by advising on workforce engagement and training. This can range from a single mock trial to a series of training events delivered as a rolling programme.
She has a proven track record for delivering training with impact. Several of Emma’s clients have achieved a significant reduction of incidents (up to 85%) and have gone on to win awards for their achievements in health and safety.
Her popular mock trials are a powerful reminder of what can happen when safety standards slip. Many delegates walk away from her sessions with action points that they are motivated to deliver, to make sure they are never in the same situation.
Emma Advises
Back to top
- Organisations from a broad range of industries including manufacturing, construction, retail and leisure, ports, social care, and property management services
- Directors, senior managers and Health & Safety professionals who are investigated and/or prosecuted in their personal capacity
Experience Highlights
Back to top
- The investigation, inquest and prosecution following the death of a worker during HGV unloading operations
- An investigation in relation to asbestos removal works
- A prosecution following multiple enforcement notices served on a housebuilder at a construction site
- The investigation, inquest and prosecution following a fatal accident due to an overloaded forklift truck
- The amputation of fingers due resulting from unguarded machinery in the manufacturing process
- An investigation concerning the death of a worker following exposure to chemicals in the workplace
- The police investigation and inquest concerning a service user who choked on food
- A food safety investigation following an allergic reaction to a meal
- Product safety allegations following the death of a member of the public whilst using the company’s product
- Advice and representation following an alleged breach of an environmental permit
- Advising on occupational health standards, risk controls and health surveillance
- Training to over 1000 people in one organisation. The client believes the training is a substantial reason for the company’s success in reducing RIDDOR reports by 85% over 5 years and they have gone on to win awards for their achievements in H&S
Testimonials
“She is enormously hard-working, she has a really good approach, and clients love her because she is very much a people person.”
Chambers and Partners Guide 2024
“Emma is a real subject matter expert and she’s also very attuned to our needs. Her availability is fantastic.”
Chambers and Partners Guide 2024
“I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ personally for all the support you've given me. Your help, support, calm approach and considerable knowledge of health and safety was second to none I will always be grateful for how kind and professional you were during those times and your attention to detail taught me such a lot.”
Client
“From the start of a very difficult and stressful time for myself and our company, Emma has been totally committed to offering excellent legal advice and strategy in a complex case. She has shown a wide range of expertise which is delivered in an extremely professional and friendly way. I have total confidence in her.”
Client
“Emma Bowens has been heavily involved with the jury inquest and beyond. She has put in significant time and effort on this emotive and difficult matter. In my view, her work has gone beyond the call of duty to ensure our client received the right advice and protection. Please pass on my appreciation to her and highlight that her contribution has been recognised.”
Client
“Emma is extremely knowledgeable in her field, with a real ability to focus on the specific legal issues. Her advice was invaluable. From our first conversation, Emma demonstrated an understanding of the situation and identified the pertinent issues, clearly explained the various options available to us and the potential ramifications. Emma has guided us through this process in a calm professional and highly effective manner.”
Client
“All credit on this case should rightly go to Emma. She really has done an excellent job on what was/ is a really difficult subject matter. The outcome secured is all down to Emma. A massive thanks from me for her guidance and support in this case. It really was excellent.”
Client
“This was a terrific way to ensure knowledge is embedded. I didn't expect to find it this interesting, but I would have stayed for a week! The session was very interactive and encouraged participation. It is vital that all staff attend this session.”
Delegate from a Training Event
“I found the workshop extremely thought provoking. It provided the real experience of an incident/ outcome which played out very effectively. It made me appreciate my responsibility to ensure safety in the workplace.”
Delegate from a Training Event
“This session was excellent. It was very clear. There was an interesting use of case studies, and it has highlighted several key points and actions for me and my team.”
Delegate from a Training Event