Eleanor Sanderson

Eleanor has extensive inquest experience and has acted for a range of individuals, companies, public authorities and investigating authorities in inquests lasting from a single day, to a number of years. She has considerable experience of Article 2 inquests. She also acts in Public Inquiries where issues of causation of death arise, and is currently instructed for a Core Participant in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

In 2015-2016 Eleanor was instructed by the Home Office investigation team, Operation Resolve, at the fresh inquests into the 96 deaths arising from the Hillsborough Stadium disaster. These sensitive and complex proceedings considered evidence generated over 28 years in relation to stadium safety, police conduct and emergency response, and highly detailed expert medical evidence concerning the treatment of each of the deceased.

She previously acted for Southwark Borough Council in the three month “super inquest” into six deaths arising from a fire at the Lakanal tower block in Peckham. Issues considered by the jury included emergency response, fire safety regulation and compliance with the Building Regulations.

She frequently appears on behalf of doctors, healthcare companies, and care home providers when care provided subsequently falls within the scope of a Coroner’s inquiry, including when deaths have resulted from previously undiagnosed conditions or have occurred following an accident within a care setting.

She is often instructed on behalf of companies and directors where an inquest follows police and HSE investigations, and where it is anticipated that criminal charges may be brought after the inquest. Her experience in the fields of criminal, health and safety and professional disciplinary law provides her with particular insight as to the potential ramifications of inquest verdicts, and any proceedings that are likely to follow thereafter.

Notable coroner's inquests cases

Grenfell Tower Inquiry - Phase One

Instructed by manufacturer of fridge-freezer recovered from the fire flat. Led by Richard Matthews QC.

Re: CS

Instructed by the care home at an inquest into the death of a resident who died from burns sustained whilst smoking a cigarette.

Re: 96 Deceased

Instructed to represent the Home Office investigation team Operation Resolve at the inquest into the deaths arising from the Hillsborough Disaster.

Re: JC

Instructed to act for a consultant bariatric surgeon in an inquest into death of one of his patients arising from post-operative complications.

Re: MA

Instructed by the local authority in an inquest into death occurring subsequent to failure of hoist equipment at a care home.

Re: 6 Deceased

Inquest into the deaths arising from a fire at Lakanal, a tower block in Peckham. Instructed by the Local Authority landlord, Southwark Borough Council.

Eleanor has acted for the defence in many serious and complex criminal trials since her call in 2005, prosecuted variously by SOCA, the SFO, the National Crime Agency and the CPS. They have included allegations of conspiracy to manufacture firearms, importation and supply of prohibited drugs, international counterfeiting conspiracy, multi-million pound fraud and money laundering, and allegations of perverting the course of justice on a grand scale. Eleanor has acted in cases where evidence of the alleged offences that span multiple jurisdictions and where mutual legal assistance has been sought from many different countries.

Notable crime cases

Operations Weeting, Sacha & Elveden

Led by Jim Sturman QC, Eleanor acted for a defendant alleged to have conspired with the News of the World’s former editor to pervert the course of justice through the concealment of computers from police searches. Over 6500 pages of surveillance and phone evidence formed the basis of a single allegation of perverting the course of justice.

Operations Troy

Eleanor acted for the first defendant alleged to be the mastermind of what investigators described as the largest counterfeiting and video piracy allegation ever uncovered in the UK. Evidence incorporated highly complex expert computing evidence as to the use of the conspirators’ computers and internet “fronts” used to redirect to illegal websites.

Eleanor has wide experience of a range of fraud, money laundering and other dishonesty matters, including cash forfeiture and confiscation proceedings.

In 2018 she acted for Deutsche bank trader AK, the sole defendant acquitted of conspiring to rig the Euro Interbank Offer Rate (EURIBOR) between 2005-2009 at the conclusion of a three month trial, prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office. Other high profile cases include “Imperial Consolidated”, an alleged $250 million offshore Ponzi fraud in which the defendant was acquitted after two six month trials, and acting for  a Liberal Democrat donor, who was alleged to have defrauded the former Manchester United Chairman of over $12.5 million. Previous instructions include from the Serious Fraud Office to review FBI/Grand Jury material where the UK trial was preceded by convictions in the US Federal Court.

She recently acted for an Iranian former political prisoner alleged to have laundered the proceeds of crime through Hawala banking networks in Tehran and Dubai. Unusually, expert evidence was called by the defence as to the risks to former political prisoners in Iran in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution, and the exile in Iraq of regime opponents for whose benefit the defendant averred the transfer of millions of pounds were made.

Eleanor has experience of insolvency law in both criminal and civil contexts, including acting for trustees in bankruptcy and third parties attempting to challenge the making of confiscation orders. In addition to her courtroom and advisory work in this area, Eleanor was a consultant editor of the Lloyds Law Reports on Financial Crime between 2012-2018.

Notable fraud cases

R v AK & Others

Acted for Deutsche Bank trader charged with conspiring with others to rig the Euro Interbank Offer Rate (EURIBOR) between 2005-2009. Acquitted after three month trial.

R v CP & Others

Acted for first defendant charged with money laundering of over £10,000,000 through Hawala banking networks in Iran and Dubai.

R v Umerji

Instructed on appeal for defendant convicted of conspiracy to cheat the public revenue of £30 million following a trial in absence. Conviction quashed.

SFO v JB

Acted for first defendant in trial for conspiracy to defraud investors of over £150 million through fraudulent operation of offshore funds based in the Caribbean. Defendant acquitted after 6 and 9 month trials.

R v B

Acted for former political party donor alleged to have defrauded high profile investors of over £10 million through a bond trading scheme.

Eleanor specialises in regulatory criminal proceedings and defending the most serious prosecutions brought under health and safety, fire safety, and environmental law.

She acts on behalf of companies and directors in relation to allegations of gross negligence and corporate manslaughter and fatal breaches of sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Her clients extend from family run businesses to publicly listed global companies, operating within a range of sectors including the leisure, residential, retail, construction, manufacturing, agricultural, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, transport, recycling, entertainment, tech, and nuclear industries. In addition to representation at trial, Eleanor also advises pre-charge and in challenges to prohibition and improvement notices.

Eleanor has similar expertise in the field of fire safety regulation and prosecutions under the Fire Safety Order, and frequently acts in technical cases concerning matters such as causation and spread of fire, building construction and Approved Document B, manufacture and storage of explosives, emergency response, and the polluting effects of fire. Her experience in this area includes claims for Judicial Review in relation to enforcement activity by Fire Authorities, and referral of a technical dispute to the Secretary of State for determination.

She acts in prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency and local authorities including in relation to breaches of Environmental Permits, and for landowners issued with notices to clear controlled waste. She recently acted for one of five water company employees charged together with their employer, with obstruction of Environment Agency officers at visits to Waste Water Treatment Works.

Further regulatory criminal experience includes acting for the global online retailer Amazon in proceedings brought by the Civil Aviation Authority for contraventions of Dangerous Goods regulations.

Eleanor has lectured on directors’ liability and regulators’ powers of enforcement together with the 2 Bedford Row regulatory team.

Notable health & safety cases

Wolverhampton CC v C&WDTL Ltd

Acted for global commercial real estate company prosecuted for section 3 offence arising from a fatality during Storm Doris. Roof structures became detached from a shopping centre managed by the company, causing the death of a young woman in the street below.

CQC v BCH(CFH) Ltd

Acted for residential care provider in relation to charges prosecuted by the CQC under the Health and Social Care Act Regulations for the causation of avoidable harm to two elderly residents.

Westminster CC v Hyatt & CGT Ltd

Acted for owner of central London 5-star hotel prosecuted for section 3 HSWA and Gas Regulations offences, following a gas explosion at the hotel which caused serious injuries. Led by Richard Matthews QC.

Millmore and others v Environment Agency

Case stated appeal arising from the prosecution of five water company employees for obstruction of Environment Agency Officers in relation to an investigation into water pollution.

LFEPA v Southwark Borough Council; R (ex parte Southwark Borough Council) v LFEPA

Acted for local authority charged with breach of the Fire Safety Order in relation to the absence of a fire risk assessment and refurbishment works carried out at Lakanal tower block in Peckham.

CAA v A (UK) SL Ltd

Acted for global internet retailer charged with breach of dangerous goods regulations in relation to the transport by air of lithium batteries.

R v PM Ltd

Acted for company charged with corporate manslaughter and directors individually charged with associated health and safety offences following a death occurring in an industrial oven at their kayak manufacturing premises.

HSE v EP Ltd

Acted for bespoke home builder in prosecution for health and safety charges arising from a fatal accident on one of their building sites.

RBFRS v GF

Acted for store manager of national supermarket chain in relation to offences under the fire safety order arising from the locking of fire exits in store.

Rother DC v J Ltd

Acted for local supermarket chain charged with breaches of Health and Safety at Work Act arising from workplace transport management and a serious accident to a customer in their car park. Sole junior.

EA v Sellafield Limited [2014] EWCA Crim 49

Acted for company prosecuted by the Environment Agency following disposal of nuclear waste for their nuclear decommissioning operation contrary to the terms of the permit. Leading pre-guideline authority on the sentencing of very large companies.

R v Winter & Winter

Appeared as junior for the prosecution of two firework company directors for gross negligence manslaughter, following a fire and explosion at their manufacturing premises that killed two attending firefighters.

Eleanor has developed a particular interest in the international aspects of criminal law and has acted in cases where investigations have spanned multiple jurisdictions, evidence has been obtained via Mutual Legal Assistance, and when defendants have appeared before the courts following extradition to the UK. She has advised Pro Bono on appeals from the Jamaican Courts to the Privy Council, and in 2012 spent 4 weeks in Windhoek, Namibia acting as an Independent Trial Observer on behalf of Lawyers Without Borders at the Caprivi Treason Trial” in which 110 defendants were charged with murder and treason in relation to violent rebel coup in the Caprivi Strip. In 2012 she was invited to attend a 5 day conference in Strasbourg held by Fair Trials International on the subject of extradition and cross-border crime.

Eleanor has a wealth of experience in the field of professional disciplinary law and appears before a wide range of regulatory bodies acting for both professionals and regulators. Her practice includes those most serious cases where death is alleged to have resulted from negligence or misconduct, in such cases she is also able to act at inquest and in any subsequent criminal proceedings that may arise. She frequently acts in cases where practitioners face suspension or erasure from their register.

Eleanor is skilled at mastering the detail of professional standards and guidance across a vast array of disciplines and is highly experienced in calling and challenging expert evidence. In the medical field, she has acted in cases concerning a wide range of specialisms with subject matters including undiagnosed cancers, medication errors, emergency medicine, and complex surgical procedures. Her practice in the field of health and safety has required detailed understanding of professional standards within the construction, aviation, manufacturing, hospitality, residential, transport, recycling, retail, tech and nuclear industries.

Eleanor regularly appears before a range of tribunals including the General Dental Council, General Optical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, PLDPs and the First Tier Tribunal. More diverse regulatory experience includes appearances before the Security Industry Association licensing appeals panel, the UK Council for Psychotherapy and before the Traffic Commissioner in relation to Vehicle Operator licences.

Notable professional discipline cases

OC v JT

Appeared for optometrist facing misconduct charges arising from a failure to diagnose retinoblastoma in a child, which condition resulted in the loss of an eye. No finding of impairment made.

GDC v JB

Appeared for GDC prosecuting a dentist for charges arising from a failure to diagnose an oral cancer which subsequently resulted in death.

NMC v X

Appeared for NMC prosecuting nurse for failure to undertake appropriate risk assessments on a psychiatric ward in relation to a patient who subsequently committed suicide.

Eleanor has wide ranging experience in the field of healthcare regulatory law, incorporating the following areas:

• Acting for doctors, healthcare providers and local authorities at inquests where questions are raised in respect of allegedly deficient care and/or health and safety failings;
• Acting in inquiries and inquiry-style inquests where medical causation of death and alleged health and safety failings are in issue, including where Article 2 ECHR is engaged;
• Acting for healthcare and social care providers in prosecutions brought by regulators including the Health and Safety Executive, the Care Quality Commission, the Fire and Rescue Services and enforcing Local Authorities, including where fatalities have resulted;
• Acting for doctors, dentists, nurses, optometrists and other healthcare professionals in disciplinary proceedings before their professional regulators, including where death is alleged to have resulted from deficient care;
• Defence of allegations of gross negligence and corporate manslaughter.

Eleanor’s expertise extends to a wide range of medical and medico-legal issues. She has acted for healthcare professionals in cases where deaths have arisen from a variety of causes including post-surgical complications, undiagnosed cancers, respiratory failure and medication errors, and in many cases where difficult clinical decisions have been required, such as in relation to the commencement of end of life care, risk assessment of patients on psychiatric wards, and whether or not to intubate. She is familiar with the many challenges facings healthcare and social care providers and has defended in prosecutions focusing on a wide range of issues including matters as diverse as occupational health policy, infection control and use of single-use items, legionella prevention, screening of staff for blood-borne viruses, falls risk assessment in dementia units, staff training in respect of mobility aids, risk assessment of smoking in social care settings, and managing means of escape in case of fire. Her inquest practice has provided her with extensive experience of pathology evidence including where multiple experts have given evidence and cause of death has remained in dispute.

For further information please see Eleanor’s website entries in respect of health and safety, professional discipline, and inquests, or contact the clerks.