Gathering evidence, presenting evidence, and giving evidence in a Fire Prosecution (Recording restricted)

This is the second Webinar in a series presented by the Red Lion Fire Law Team on aspects of fire prosecutions.

It is exclusively for those in the fire services, or those associated with prosecution of fire cases. It will provide a detailed look at:

• Key aspects of a fire prosecution
• Gathering evidence and preparing a case for Court
• Presenting the evidence in Court
• Giving evidence in Court
• Creating a sentencing bundle
• Disclosure exercise

This Webinar follows the 2020 Webinar which gave an overview of a prosecution case – over 500 officers attended.

The series of Webinars is aimed at investigating officers, fire officers who attend a fire, as well as lawyers for Fire and Rescue Services – anyone who would be involved in the prosecution of a fire case.

Another Webinar in the Fire Law Series is planned for March 2021. It will cover more detailed aspects of investigating a fire case, including interview techniques. Please look out for it on our Webinar page.

PANELLISTS

Sailesh Mehta

Sailesh Mehta is a leading advocate who has defended and prosecuted in some of the most serious and important cases over the last 30 years. His practice ranges from serious and organised crime to high-profile regulatory cases. He sits as a Recorder of the Crown Court.

Sailesh is one of a handful of barristers in the UK who specialises in fire law. He leads the Red Lion Chambers Fire Law Team. He has advised fire brigades across the country on aspects of law and policy, and prosecutes and defends, particularly in fatality cases.

Warren has conducted over 200 fire safety cases under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order. He has acted and advised for 8 fire and rescue services and involved in provision of legal training for 4 additional fire services.

He has also provided training for over 500 fire officers in basic legal fire safety and advanced fire safety legal courses to fire engineers, fire risk assessors; property companies and fire safety officers.

Warren has 15 years’ experience of prosecuting and defending fire safety cases and is the author of [Fire Safety Law] – A fire law resources site. Warren provides monthly articles for the Fire Protection Association magazine, Fire and Security Matters website and delivering presentations and seminars at Firex exhibition and Conference for Landlords and Healthcare Fire Officers.

Colin Todd

Colin is regularly retained as an expert witness in enforcement and prosecution cases associated with fire, either by the enforcing authority or Defendants. He was an expert witness for the Crown in the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the Rosepark fire. He is currently appointed as an expert witness for the Public Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire. He was also a member of the Building Standards (Fire Safety) Review Panel which advised Scottish Ministers on changes to the Building Regulations in Scotland in response to the Grenfell Tower fire.

Colin serves on a number of British Standard Committees, is a Board member of the Fire Industry Association (FIA), Chairman of the FIA Fire Risk Assessment Council, Chairman of the IFE Panel that registers fire risk assessors and the author of a number of British Standards Institution (BSI) publications, including PAS 79, the BSI guidance on fire risk assessment. Colin is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers. For the past several years, he has been voted by his peers as one of the most influential people in fire safety and he was awarded an MBE for his services to fire safety in the 2020 New Year Honours list.

Richard Fowler

Richard is a serving senior officer with East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and has previously led the Protection (Fire Safety) department for a number of years. He is currently seconded to the National Fire Chiefs Council Protection Policy and Reform Unit where he is leading on a number of pieces of work.

Richard has led many serious investigations and prosecutions of fire safety cases in the past, as case officer and witness, and has trained and mentored others developing in the role.

Richard is a past International President of the Institution of Fire Engineers and has spoken at many conferences and training events on fire related subjects in the UK and around the world.

Nicholas Hall

Nick is a member of Red Lion Chambers’ Fire Law Team and has growing and wide experience of regulatory law and practice.