Philip Ryan
Philip is a specialist compliance and criminal defence lawyer described as a ‘standout name’ by The Legal 500. Advising clients during regulatory investigations, he works in the automotive, construction, FMCG, retail & leisure, tobacco, manufacturing, and life sciences sectors.
Recent examples of his work include:-
- advising several global businesses on responses to investigations into bribery, fraud, criminal offences and disclosures to key regulators;
- securing the acquittal of a senior manager charged with health and safety offences as part of a corporate manslaughter trial following an explosion at a recycling plant;
- successfully defending white goods manufacturers in investigations by the National Measurement Office regarding energy labelling and efficiency of products;
- advising an international retailer on its response to the horsemeat scandal and dealing with associated contractual issues with suppliers;
- advising a major tobacco company on changes required under plain packaging legislation and the development of e-cigarettes;
- advising companies on compliance with export controls and international trade sanctions;
- advising a number of household brands on product recalls regarding tools, cereals, lamps, plugs and other domestic items;
- advising a large travel organisation on compliance with Package Holiday, ATOL and ABTA regulations.
Previously at DLA Piper and BLP, Philip joined Shoosmiths’ Thames Valley Office in 2008: he was made partner in 2013. He has worked as a prosecutor for HSE and been seconded to the Tesco Store Ops and McDonald’s Legal Teams, giving him a commercial approach to regulatory compliance. He is a member of the Food Law Group and the Health and Safety Lawyer’s Association.
Practice Areas
Panel
- Contributing Author
Qualified Year
- 2003
Education
- University of Manchester
- Universite de Bourgogne
- Nottingham Law School
1 Contributions by Philip Ryan
PRACTICE NOTES
Environment Agency (England): enforcement powers, compliance duties, investigations and priorities—practical guidance for lawyers advising regulated operators
What is the Environment Agency?
The Environment Agency (EA) is an executive non-departmental public body, created in 1996 and sponsored by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is tasked with protecting and enhancing the environment in England, and held comparable responsibilities in Wales prior to 2013. Alongside the EA, other regulators, such as local authorities, also have powers to enforce environmental legislation.
Summary of objectives
The EA presents itself as the leading public body for protecting and improving England’s environment, aiming to create better places for people and wildlife while enabling sustainable development. Its corporate report identifies three long-term goals:
a nation resilient to climate change
healthy air, land and water
green growth and a sustainable future
These priorities align with central government’s 25 Year Environment Plan 2018, as updated by later Environmental Improvement Plans, and the Environment Act 2021. The EA’s remit covers regulation of major industry and waste, the treatment of contaminated land, water quality and resource management, fisheries, and responsibilities for inland river and estuary...
Environment
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