Andrew Litchfield
A partner in the regulatory litigation practice. I advise clients on the realities of criminal prosecution for a variety of offences including health and safety, environment, food safety and trading standards.
Tel: +44 (0)121 685 2780
Email: andrew_litchfield@wragge.com
Services: Dispute Resolution, Insurance, Construction
Business sectors: Aerospace and Defence, Automotive, Aviation, Energy and Regulated Industries, Food and Drink, Healthcare, Retail
Best Brains in
Understanding the Regulator's Agenda and using it to the client's advantage.
What's the highlight of your career so far?
Representing a major food manufacturer throughout a lengthy and highly complex investigation, and the subsequent prosecution following a food contamination problem. The challenges posed by the various parties, their representatives and experts were many and varied. Navigating the case through to a conclusion which best suited our client was very satisfying.
Most challenging job you've ever done?
We took over a product liability claim involving a product manufactured in eastern Europe by a state manufacturer. Seven years before it was alleged to have caused a serious and distressing car crash. Evidence gathering so long after the event across Europe was difficult. The balance of the expert evidence was against us and the court's sympathy was very much with the claimant who had suffered catastrophic injuries. We put forward our case based firmly on the evidence and negotiated a great result for the client without the need to go to court.
What about outside the UK?
International clients often need help with the UK regulatory landscape including issues such as who prosecutes what, where and why, what sanctions are available and how the regulatory risk can be managed.
An example of your great client service?
Dropping everything to attend site to prepare for the visit of the enforcing officers. They had the power to shut the factory and with it the business. Seven officers turned up every day for the next week. We were working to produce the information the officers needed, explain it to them, set it into context and then debrief head office afterwards. I had to remind the factory manager to stop work and remember to eat. In the end, the factory remained open and the enforcing officers thanked us for the way we handled the investigation.
Best example of a creative legal solution?
In a case involving twin prosecutions in different courts, we worked with both prosecutors and the courts to combine cases so that sentence could be passed by one judge in one hearing. By doing so the whole procedure was quicker, saved costs and reduced the potential for negative publicity.
How do you get under the skin of a client's business?
It is impossible to advise a client on how to deal with a regulator without gaining an intimate knowledge of the business and what makes it work. Only then can an assessment be made about whether to fight the authorities every step of the way, or manage the process with an eye on the ongoing relationship between the two. Every job we do involves gaining an understanding of the client from top to bottom, which is the only way to help clients as they expect and by far the best part of the job.
What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?
I have spent my career dealing with the aftermath of serious accidents, whether they be health and safety or environmental. I am in a good position therefore, before the event to explain to people the consequences if things go wrong, or if these issues slip down the agenda. I am able to say that I hope never to be instructed by a client after the event and no one would be happier if all my work became prevention rather than clearing up.
What's been written or said about you that you're most proud of?
'I have found Wragge & Co to be a first class company to deal with. Their professionalism and consideration on all matters has been a very great comfort and in particular Mr Andrew Litchfield is a solicitor of consummate skill combined with a very human touch. I would have no hesitation in recommending Wragge & Co to anybody requiring the very best'. Rick Valantine, MD Anvil Alloys International Ltd.
