Hannah Eales

Hannah is a barrister in the Regulatory team.  She is an experienced advocate and a regulatory, health & safety and criminal law specialist.  Hannah has a particular expertise in fire safety law having prosecuted on behalf of fire and rescue authorities nationally as well as representing individuals and corporates facing prosecution for breaches of the Fire Safety Order in the criminal courts.  Hannah is experienced in advising property owners and managers on compliance with fire safety legislation and regulations.  She has a broad practice, also acting both for regulatory bodies and representing those who appear before them, as well as prosecuting and defending in the criminal courts.  She regularly advises on all aspects of criminal, health & safety and regulatory law.

Hannah spent 8 years at the Criminal and Regulatory Bar prior to joining Kingsley Napley in 2013. In Chambers, Hannah’s defence work ranged from defending individuals charged with offences including those under the Sexual Offences Act, drugs importation and breaches of fire safety law through to representing individuals appearing before fitness to practise panels of their regulatory body.

Her career has included prosecuting on behalf of the CPS, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency, DWP and DEFRA. 

Hannah’s fire safety practice includes appearing before the Magistrates’ and Crown Court and the Court of Appeal on behalf of both fire and rescue authorities and individuals or corporates facing prosecution under the Fire Safety Order.  Hannah advises individuals, corporates, charities and Unesco World Heritage sites on their obligations under fire safety legislation and regulations.  Hannah’s expertise in this field has led to her regularly speaking and writing on the subject, including speaking at FIREX International and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. 

In the area of professional discipline Hannah has acted for some of the leading regulatory bodies in high profile and complex cases. These regulators include the Health and Care Professions Council, the Teaching Regulation Agency, the Education and Workforce Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Architects Registration Board, CILEx Regulation and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Having acted for both the prosecution and defence throughout her career, as well as sitting as a Legal Adviser to the Magistrates’ Courts, Hannah fully understands the effect that proceedings may have on the individual or the prosecuting body.  She is known for being a thoughtful and fair advocate, whilst always seeking the best outcome for the client.  Hannah is the Head of Kingsley Napley’s Regulatory team of advocates.

recent work

• Hannah is regularly instructed to present on behalf of regulatory bodies in relation to serious, complex and high profile hearings.  She acted for the Nursing and Midwifery Council in relation to two senior nurses at the Mid-Staffordshire Trust following the Francis Inquiry.  The nurses were the first to be struck off following the inquiry.
• Hannah has appeared before the Court of Appeal in relation to the important issue of custodial sentences being passed in cases under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Hannah recently acted for the National College for Teaching and Leadership in relation to a Head teacher who was prohibited from teaching following findings that she dishonestly abused the school’s financial procedures for personal financial gain.
• Hannah has recently advised two national regulators on the considerations relevant to the lawful use of criminal investigation and enforcement powers. 

Professional societies and Memberships

• Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
• Young Fraud Lawyers Association
• Young Public Law Group (Committee Member)
• Victims of Crime Association of Lawyers
• International Association of Prosecutors
• Criminal Bar Association