Damien Welfare

“Recognised as being a key player in the consumer and regulatory sector”
(Chambers and Partners 2008);

“has a solid reputation for corporate manslaughter and fatality work”
(Legal 500 2007)

Who we are

For many years Barristers at Cornerstone have appeared in leading cases in the field of regulatory law.

We have a long tradition of involvement with criminal work, dating back to the late 19th Century. Sir Edward Marshall Hall KC and Norman Birkett KC were in these Chambers and we still act in major cases: Anthony Scrivener QC has a justly deserved reputation in this field. Chambers is “recognised as being a key player in the consumer and regulatory sector,” (Chambers and Partners) and has a solid reputation for corporate manslaughter and fatality work” (Legal 500).

What we do

Members of Chambers also specialise in a number of specific areas relating to regulatory crime: this covers a number of areas including consumer protection and trading standards, especially food law. We have wide experience in advising both authorities and private clients in this area, and of conducting and defending prosecutions in the magistrates' court and the Administration Court, and of applications to the High Court and beyond involving judicial review and case stated.

We also have a number of members experienced in health and safety work, many have related experience in environmental law and individuals often prosecute on behalf of the Environment Agency. In addition, the set acts for major corporations and trade unions, as well as 300 local authorities. This work complements our expertise in planning and environment law.

Regulatory crime also covers a wide range of activities which are now regulated by statute, eg .prosecution of pirate radio stations.

Professional Discipline

Barristers at Cornerstone continue to act for various professional regulatory bodies in relation to their professional disciplinary and fitness to practice procedures. Members act in several areas ranging from sports regulation to the regulation of legal services.  Some junior members have developed a speciality in acting for various health care regulators and regularly appear in fitness to practice hearings and related high court appeals in relation to such matters.

Health & Safety

We also have a number of members experienced in health and safety work, many have related experience in environmental law and individuals often prosecute on behalf of the Environment Agency. In addition, the set acts for major corporations and trade unions, as well as 300 local authorities. This work complements our expertise in planning and environment law.

Gerard Forlin’s track record in health and safety cases in general, and corporate manslaughter cases in particular, has led to him being described as "the Manslaughter guy" (Chambers and Partners) in the recent past and in the current edition he is described as the “redoubtable” and that he is “Mr Manslaughter” and had been appointed as a general adviser to the Bar Council on the Corporate Manslaughter Bill before the Act was promulgated.