Steve is a partner in our Commercial Dispute Resolution team.

With over 20 years’ experience in regulatory enforcement and compliance, Steve’s practice encompasses all aspects of health and safety, environmental, food safety, fire safety and consumer protection law.

He advises clients in connection with investigations and prosecutions by the main UK regulators including the Health and Safety Executive, Local Authorities, Environment Agency, Care Quality Commission and DEFRA, as well as on risk management and corporate governance. He also represents clients suspected of financial crime, including those involved in confiscation proceedings brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Steve’s practice extends to advising on appeals against prohibition and improvement notices, statutory and private nuisance, civil sanctions and enforcement undertakings for environmental offences, and in relation to inquests, safeguarding enquiries and public inquiries.

Steve supports clients across a range of sectors, including:

• Rural
• Healthcare
• Food and drink
• Mining and minerals
• Leisure and Tourism
• Retail
• Manufacturing

Increasingly, organisations and business leaders are no longer measuring success solely from the annual accounts, but whether they have a defined positive purpose, whether that purpose is being met and what the organisation’s impact is. As one of our B Corp™ Champions, Steve is knowledgeable and passionate about helping you build your own purpose and positive impact – at whatever stage of this you are at.

Steve’s personal testimonials:

Chambers & Partners (2024) – “Steve’s knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to see different viewpoints and alternative routes to solutions is refreshing.”

Chambers & Partners (2023) – “Stephen Panton comes recommended for his ability to advise clients from a number of sectors, including construction and energy. He handles both contentious and non-contentious issues, ranging from fatal accident cases to operational matters and proceedings following improvement notices.”

Legal 500 (2023) – “Stephen Panton: great technical knowledge, pragmatic and excellent with clients.”

Outside of work, Steve enjoys running, travel and supporting his children in their various sporting activities.