Anna is a regulatory defence lawyer specialising in advising organisations on health and safety, food safety, inquests and public inquiries.
She assists clients who are being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive, Local Authorities and Police following serious incidents and she represents clients in inquest proceedings. In 2023 Anna was appointed as a Partner at Weightmans and she is the firm’s External Technical Lead for Health and Safety. Anna is particularly well known for the work she undertakes for the Emergency Services sector and she manages the overall portfolio of police inquests work. Anna is ranked in Legal 500 (Next Generation Partner) and Chambers and Partners (Band 5) for Health and Safety.
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Anna Naylor is a tenacious advocate of the client's position but is perfectly commercially aware and able to deliver even bad news with a sensible level head.
Legal 500, 2026 -
She works very hard to protect clients' interests. She is a very able advocate - she brings all her preparation to the table, expresses herself fluently and is always responsive.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Anna is a fantastic partner and ensures that from start to finish the process is carried out with professionalism, integrity and rigour.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Anna Naylor is an excellent regulatory lawyer. She is highly conscientious and committed to her client's cause. A great asset to Weightmans.
Legal 500 2024 -
Anna Naylor is excellent. She is knowledgeable and supportive in difficult circumstances. Anna understands how H&S matters can impact on an organisation and the relevant witness. Anna gives excellent advice and guidance.
Legal 500 2024 -
Anna Naylor is adept at handling both contentious and non-contentious health and safety matters, including HSE investigations and regulatory compliance. She has notable experience providing counsel on issues arising from fatal accidents.
Chambers and Partners 2024 -
Anna Naylor is an astonishingly good lawyer. Her client care is exceptional, too.
Legal 500 2025 -
Hold Anna Naylor in the highest regard. She is extremely hard-working and fully committed to her client's cause. Her inquest practice is excellent. Anna is a pleasure to work with
Legal 500 2025
Experience:
Acts for a police force in connection with all inquests where they are given Interested Person status. Anna also represents this force in connection with some ongoing public inquiries.
Anna is acting for a police force in connection with the inquest into the death of a child who was murdered by her father and step-mother.
Anna represented a waste site in connection with a number of fatalities and also advised on environmental issues linked to the site.
Anna represents a police force in connection with the inquest into the death of a pensioner who was arrested after brandishing a knife in a care home.
Acts for a local authority in connection with a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive flowing from the death of a heavy goods vehicle driver on a construction site.
Notable cases:
Representing a local authority in relation to an inquest and HSE prosecution following the death of an unborn child. The child’s mother was driving her car when it was struck by a falling tree which was situated on local authority owned land. A narrative conclusion was recorded at the inquest and there was no Prevention of Future Deaths Report issued to our client given the extensive action plan presented to the court.
Prosecuting a food business operator on behalf of local authority Environmental Health Officers following an inspection which identified a large cockroach infestation and multiple hygiene breaches. This is an ongoing case but it is anticipated that the case will result in a significant fine for the food business owner who may also be banned from acting as a director
Advising a local authority which was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive in relation to breaches of health and safety legislation following reported cases of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. The council’s highways department had a system in place for managing the risk of its workers being exposed to vibration but the system was not appropriately.
Acting for a local authority in relation to the death of a child who drowned in a river whilst playing with other children. At the inquest we represented one of the children who was a looked after child (referred to as ‘Child 1”). It was alleged by the family of the deceased that Child 1 had deliberately left the deceased in the water to drown or had pushed her in with the intention of causing her death. The inquest recorded a conclusion of ‘accidental death’ and the family sought permission to apply for Judicial Review in respect of this decision which was recently refused by the High Court.
