Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

risk definition

What does risk mean? In legal practice, risk describes the possibility that a reasonably foreseeable circumstance or event could adversely affect legal rights, regulatory compliance, business operations, or the security of systems and data. The term is widely used across legal contexts, with certain regimes articulating it expressly. Cybersecurity: In the EU NIS2 framework (as transposed in Ireland), risk means any reasonably identifiable circumstance or event having a potentially adverse effect on the security of network and information systems. In the UK, the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 adopt a comparable risk‑based approach to security and incident handling; while “risk” is not defined as...

Fire risk assessments for non-residential office workplaces: duties, hazard evaluation, responsible persons, documentation and review

Published by a LexisNexis Practice Management expert

Practice notes

You are obliged to take steps to reduce the likelihood of fire at work and to protect your staff should a fire occur. There are no fixed Rules on the level of fire safety measures you must adopt: small organisations might only require basic provision, whereas larger businesses or those with distinct fire hazards may need greater resources. To determine what is adequate and proportionate for your activities, you must perform a suitable and sufficient review of the risks—a fire Risk assessment. This Practice Note provides guidance and information on conducting a fire risk assessment. It focuses on fire safety within office-based, non-residential Workplaces. Other industry or premises-specific requirements may apply in different settings, particularly in relation to residential and domestic buildings, including flats and multi-storey residential properties. Regulatory requirements concerning fire safety in residential and domestic premises are outside the scope of this Practice Note, as are building regulations relating to fire safety. For guidance on regulatory obligations relevant to fire safety in an office-based workplace, see Practice Note: Fire safety in the workplace—regulatory requirements.

Fire risk assessment

You are required to establish and put into effect appropriate arrangements that are suitable and sufficient for your operations adequately to...

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Melanie O'Brien

DG Legal

Melanie read law at King's College London and was then recruited by Herbert Smith LLP (now Herbert Smith Freehills) as a trainee solicitor. After being admitted as a solicitor in 2001, she was retained by Herbert Smith as a solicitor in their litigation department and reached the level of senior associate. She was located at their London office for seven years and advised and acted upon a wide range of commercial and real estate disputes. Melanie left private practice to become a director at DG Legal, a specialist management consultancy practice where she provides advice and assistance in relation to legal practice management, compliance, risk and quality assurance. She also assists firms in setting up legal practices and submitting applications to the SRA for regulatory approval and provides assistance with ongoing compliance including firms' COLP and COFA...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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