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Richard Tovell heads Greenwoods’ Health & Safety Department.  He joined the practice in 2004 after many years in a City firm where he had founded a specialist Health & Safety practice.  He is acknowledged as a leading player in the defence of regulatory prosecutions and recently successfully defended one of the defendants in the Hatfield rail disaster prosecution.  He is a regular speaker on health and safety issues and has written and produced training videos.

Richard also specialises in large loss fire, explosion, flood and subsidence claims and product liability claims.  He has an in-depth knowledge of the technical issues involving building construction, engineering, automotive, plastics and paint technology.  He has successfully dealt with high value long-tail disease issues including policy coverage disputes.

Notable cases include:

• London Borough of Lambeth v Staward Engineering & Others - H&S prosecution and £13m civil liability claim following gas explosion at Kerrin Point
• R v Huxley – defence of prosecution arising from Hatfield
• Abouchalache and others v Hilton International Hotels – civil liability for terrorist activity
• Cape Plc v Royal & Sun Alliance – public liability policy coverage
• Infast Group Plc v AXA Global – recall policy coverage
• Capital and Counties Plc & Others v Hampshire Fire Brigade & Others – defence of £35m fire damage claim
• R v Eagle Star – defence of HSE prosecution
• Bristow Helicopters v Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation – conduct of claims arising from loss of North Sea helicopter
• Devon County Council v Tarmac Construction - property damage claim
• Charlotte Church v Shalit Entertainment – management contract dispute.

Richard’s hobbies include writing and all things automotive.