Edmund Conybeare

Emergency Number - 07739 463 571

SPECIALIST REGULATORY & CRIMINAL LAWYER

I have always been interested in criminal law and representing others. My practice includes health and safety, environmental issues, product liability, road transport and traffic cases and general criminal work. I prosecuted for VOSA (now the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) for nine years and have worked on a myriad of diverse cases - from the successful defence of the Chairman of a FTSE250, regularly acting for a FTSE250 company facing health & safety allegations, multiple inquests for drivers, companies, managers and employees and acting for companies and individuals in high-profile fraud matters. I represent a wide range of clients, from large global companies to individuals and seek to leave no stone unturned in their defence. I was described by two leading Queen’s Counsel as a first class solicitor who is exceptionally hardworking and determined in the pursuit of a client’s interests. 

I graduated in 1994 with an LLB from University of Birmingham, passed the Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Trent University with Merit in 1995 and trained with Zermansky & Partners in Leeds before qualifying in 1997 and practising immediately after. I then spent three entertaining years as a specialist magistrates court advocate, gaining valuable experience in the cut and thrust of criminal defence before moving to Shulmans LLP where I launched, developed and led the firm’s first regulatory practice. I left in 2011 to become self-employed as a solicitor consultant for an Oxfordshire firm before finally finding Legal Studio. 

Before joining Legal Studio I had a lengthy commute which was becoming untenable. I was frustrated with the lack of support, lack of interest in my work area from the bigger firms and also with law firm management as a whole. I came to Legal Studio because it has all the advantages of the self employed flexible working model but without all the previous issues. I have full flexible working, there’s so much less bureaucracy and I have the freedom to be the lawyer I want to be coupled with much higher earnings alongside. 

I am married with three daughters, and in my spare time I enjoy listening to music, going to the gym, war history, hill walking, and on a more serious note, campaigning on human rights issues, especially the death penalty. I founded and run The North Eastern Regulatory Lawyers (NERL) group for regulatory Counsel and Solicitors.

Specialist Areas of Interest

Environmental Cases

Product Liability

Road Traffic Cases

Road Transport Cases

Health and Safety

White Collar Criminal

Edmund Conybeare Client Testimonials

“Exceptionally hardworking and determined in the pursuit of his client’s interests.”
A leading QC

Edmund Conybeare Client Testimonials

“Thank you for all your support and guidance. You've been more than helpful during this whole case. I can't thank you enough.”
Anonymous Client

Edmund Conybeare Client Testimonials

“A first-class solicitor.”
A leading QC

Edmund Conybeare Client Testimonials

“Many thanks for your great knowledge and kick ass style...Hope you never represent anyone against me.... Forever grateful.”
Anonymous Client:

Edmunds Latest Blogs

We're delighted to see North Eastern Regulatory Lawyers (NERL) which was co-founded by Edmund Conybeare going from strength to strength and receiving its first press coverage in the Yorkshire Legal News.

The group, which provides support, training and networking for the region's Regulatory Lawyers, was set up by Edmund and Matthew Breakell after Edmund's initial idea more than 10 years ago.

NERL's next meeting is currently planned for September and membership is free.

You can find the full article here NERL meets for regulatory updates and networking - Yorkshire Legal (yorkshirelegalnews.co.uk), but for more information on NERL, its activities and its support for the Regulatory Law community please do contact Edmund.

  2023 58 30
Edmund Conybeare
It is currently impossible to say when and how the coronavirus lockdown will be eased. However, one Government strategy paper sets out a potential path back to work for those currently unable to do so. Of course, this has not yet been formally adopted and so should be treated with extreme caution, but any inkling as to how things might develop in the future is perhaps useful at this most extraordinary time. The main features of such a policy might be as follows:

-Employers would not be forced to maintain social distancing of two metres but encouraged to do so where possible.

- Where such social distancing would be impossible, other measures should be introduced such as screens, additional hygiene procedures and use of personal protective equipment.

-Employers would also be encouraged to stagger arrival and break times, minimise the use of equipment or office space, and avoid changing worker rotas.

-Home working would be encouraged as far as possible as it is already.

-Vulnerable workers such as those who are pregnant or over 70 would need to be placed in the ‘safest possible’ places in the workplace.
 
The likely approach of the government seems less one of enforcement but informal guidance. However, the approach of the HSE and local authorities will need to be watched closely. The underlying law of keeping workers and those affected by business activities safe ie doing as much as is reasonably practicable, will not change and employers will need to be very wary, not only of enforcement action, but also potential civil liability. The government approach will also have huge ramifications for the insurance market and employers will need to consider their policies and coverage very carefully.

We will keep you updated when we know more………………………
  2020 00 07
Edmund Conybeare
There are certain key updates from the HSE at this unprecedented time:
  1. RIDDOR- A report regarding coronavirus need only be made under RIDDOR in the following circumstances:
 
  1. An unintended incident at work has led to someone’s possible or actual exposure to coronavirus. This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence.
  2. A worker has been diagnosed as having the virus and there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work. This must be reported as a case of disease.
 
  1. Home Working- Many more people are now working from home due to the lockdown. A risk assessment for home working will be required and employers should be aware that they have the same health and safety responsibilities for home workers as any other worker.
 
  1. Road Transport-There are two major health and safety issues relating to coronavirus for this vital industry. Firstly, drivers must have access to welfare facilities and it will not be lawful for customers to deny them access. Secondly, the driver’s hours rules have been temporarily relaxed to ensure key supplies are maintained. More about the latter tomorrow.
 
  1. HSE approach- The HSE has not stopped working. Its staff remain contactable and will continue to engage with stakeholders. It has said that it will take a flexible and proportionate account of the risks of the pandemic. It will suspend some targeted inspection activity, and will keep regulatory activity not requiring site visits as normal as possible. It will continue t investigate work related deaths, the most serious incidents and reported concerns. It will still take action to ensure compliance with the law, and while it will work remotely as much as possible, it will mobilise to site where necessary.
 
  1. First aid cover and qualifications- Adequate first aid cover will still need to be maintained in the workplace. Reduced cover may be appropriate with more workers working from home. Sharing first aid cover with another business is a possibility, and provision has been made for first aid certificate extensions and interrupted first aid training.
 
Much more information is available on HSE and local authority websites. If you are unclear about your health and safety responsibilities at this very difficult time and require advice on any health and safety related issue and/or interpretation of the above, contact Edmund Conybeare on 07739 463571 or at edmund.conybeare@legalstudio.co.uk.
 

  2020 39 08
Edmund Conybeare