Valero Energy UK Ltd (formally known as Chevron Ltd) and B&A contracts Limited were sentenced on 6 June 2019 following an explosion in June 2011 at Pembroke Oil Refinery, which tragically killed four workers. The cause of the explosion was found to be the ignition of highly flammable vapour in a storage tank during what should have been routine maintenance. Both defendants pleaded guilty to health and safety offences; Valero was fined a total fine of £5 million with costs of £1 million; B&A also pleaded guilty to two offences and was ordered to pay a total fine of £120,000 and £40,000 towards prosecution costs. The panel will be made up of representatives from the prosecution and defence in the case including:
- Andrew Langdon QC Guildhall Chambers
- Mark Ellison QC QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers
- Prashant Popat QC Henderson Chambers
- David Wright Kennedys
- Jon Cooper Womble Bond Dickinson
Mark Ellison QC is Head of Chambers. He represented the corporate owners in this case. Mark is a highly sought after top-ranked silk known for his phenomenal advocacy skills and ability to master the most complex of issues.
Prashant Popat QC is a leading specialist in the areas of product liability and health & safety. Prashant has been instructed by defendants in many of the largest, high profile health and safety cases of recent times.
Andrew Langdon QC: In addition to mainstream crime Andrew has prosecuted and defended many high profile Health and Safety cases, including those resulting from explosions at Port Talbot blast furnace number five (2005) Buncefield Oil Farm (2010) and Pembroke Oil Refinery (2019). In February he led the team that secured the jury acquittal of an estate partnership of corporate manslaughter. He was Chairman of the Bar in 2017.
Jon Cooper is a partner in Wimbledon Bond Dickinson and has been involved in many of the most significant health and safety cases over many years. In this case he acted for HSE.
David Wright is a partner at Kennedys. He deals with a wide variety of regulatory defence work, investigations and prosecutions centring on environmental damage and associated issues across a broad spectrum of industries.
After the panel we invite you to join us for drinks and canapes on the beautiful terrace of the National Liberal Club for more networking and discussion.
This event is free to HSLA members
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.
