Alison Gray
Partner
Email: alison.gray@dickinson-dees.com
Tel: (0191) 279 9361
Fax: (0191) 279 9100
St. Ann's Wharf
112 Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3DX
How To Find St Ann's Wharf
Expertise
- Alison is a Partner in the Environment and Safety Team, and a specialist regulatory lawyer. She advises public and private sector clients on a range of contentious and compliance issues. She regularly deals with enforcement agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive, Local Authorities, the Police and the Environment Agency. She is an experienced practitioner who routinely represents clients at inquests and in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. She provides advice and assistance in relation to initial crisis management, any subsequent investigation and possible prosecution for alleged breaches of legislation, particularly health and safety regulations. In these situations, she is accustomed to communicating with regulators and media, advising in relation interviews under caution, legal privilege and the procurement of external services, such as technical consultants and contractors, and providing strategic advice as to how to respond to an incident. Alison also advises on compliance with health and safety and other regulatory obligations, and the management of risk, including drafting policies and protocols, reviewing operational practices and advising employers on their responsibilities under regulatory law.
Experience
Alison has recently advised a utilities client in relation to a fatality at work, including management of the initial investigation and communication with the Health and Safety Executive and media, representing the employer at the subsequent inquest, and in relation to the prosecution in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. She is also currently advising a corporate client in relation to an investigation under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 following a fatality at work. This investigation is ongoing, and involves an in depth analysis of the responsibilities of the client and the Principle Contractor pursuant to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
Alison has also recently advised a large corporate client in relation to an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease, including the initial crisis management and regulatory investigation through to the eventual prosecution and sentencing. The incident led to 2 fatalities and in excess of 25 others suffering symptoms of the disease. The case involved complex expert evidence in relation to causation.
Professional Memberships
- Member of Health and Safety Lawyers' Association
- Law Society
Related Services