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Stephen Barnfield | Hill Dickinson

Stephen Barnfield

Legal Director
+44 (0)151 600 8213
+44 (0)7970 300 459
stephen.barnfield@hilldickinson.com
Liverpool
Stephen is an experienced regulatory defence lawyer representing companies and individuals facing investigation and prosecution by police, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), local authorities, EA, DEFRA, OFCOM, OFSTED, CQC and professional regulators.
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Details

Stephen has been with the firm since qualification. He advises and represents corporate and individual clients facing the threat of investigation, including many high profile serious and fatal accident investigations and prosecutions.

Stephen specialises in the management of regulatory investigations and the defence of prosecutions covering every stage, from initial crisis investigation management through defence investigation, PACE interview, inquest and representation in court. He represents a wide variety of clients - from large multinationals to small family firms. Stephen lectures widely to NHS trust boards, insurers and directors and has provided training in the form of mock trials, mock PACE interviews and interactive game shows.

Stephen graduated from Cardiff University with a first class honours degree in philosophy before studying for his PGCE and LPC at the College of Law in Chester.

Further details

  • Experience

    • Advised General Motors UK Limited in relation to prosecutions arising from a fatal accident and asbestos exposure
    • Advised Siemens plc/Siemens Wind Power A/S in relation to a wind farm accident causing one fatality and life-changing injuries
    • Advised numerous NHS trusts in relation to prosecutions arisen from fatal accidents, compliance investigations, asbestos exposure and legionella
    • Representing design engineers in respect of a city centre tower crane collapse causing serious and life changing injuries
    • Advising a large national civil engineering business in respect of investigations arising out of an accident occurring close to road works
    • Advising various religious order in respect of serious and fatal accidents
    • Advising professionals facing high profile prosecution and related disciplinary proceedings
    • Representing logistics operators in the aftermath of fatalities at loading sites, advising in relation to police/HSE and public inquiries
    • Advising charitable educational organisations regarding HSE and OFSTED investigations
    • Advising approved inspectors in respect of prosecutions brought by local authorities

  • Affiliations

    • Member of the Law Society

Stephen Barnfield has a great eye for detail and a good sounding board as part of a team. Excellent legal brain.”

The Legal 500 | 2024

Stephen Barnfield is a delight to work with. He is extremely tactically astute, knows the criminal law back to front, sees arguments overlooked by counsel, and is charming to boot. His collaborative approach (particularly at trial) makes him invaluable. Clients, both individual and corporate, should see him as a go-to individual in the North West for tricky cases

The Legal 500 2023 | Leading Firm

Stephen Barnfield has a real eye for detail, is a good lawyer and a team player. He is a comforting presence in any case in which he is involved

The Legal 500 2023 | Leading Firm

Stephen Barnfield was as assiduous, responsive, professionally competent and as caring for his client as the very best that I have encountered.”

The Legal 500 2023 | Leading Firm

Stephen Barnfield regularly acts on matters arising from the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. He has demonstrated his skills in handling corporate manslaughter cases on behalf of both organisations and individual directors.”

Chambers and Partners | 2023

He really thinks outside of the box.”

Chambers and Partners | 2023

Stephen is a very good and astute lawyer. He has a real eye for detail when it comes to cases - he possesses an ability to pick out key points that others might miss.”

Chambers and Partners | 2023

He is a very astute lawyer with a real eye for detail… ‘He is excellent and very experienced’

Chambers and Partners 2022 | Leading Firm

Stephen Barnfield is noted for his work on healthcare-related matters.”

The Legal 500 2022 | Next Generation Partner

Stephen Barnfield's Expertise

Regulatory

Ever-changing and strict regulatory demands on businesses mean infringements are increasingly resulting in multi-million pound fines and prosecutions. These can put your business, rep...