The professional regulatory team at Blake Morgan LLP provides a range of legal services across the health and social care, legal, education, and accountancy sectors, with the team representing both regulators and those professionals that they regulate. Clare Strickland leads the team, with particular expertise in representing regulators from the healthcare sector. The team is bolstered by the experience of Bradley Albuery, a former criminal defence lawyer who provides support to those facing investigation and enforcement action. Furthermore, Graham Miles specialises in the area of fitness to practise, whilst James Danks and Delme Griffiths lead on SRA disciplinary procedure work before the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal. Key support in this area is provided by Alison Wood and Antonia Dowgray, who bring experience in both the healthcare and accountancy sectors.

Capsticks LLP‘s regulatory team handles a range of work, from fitness to practice matters to disciplinary proceedings, appeals, and judicial reviews for a broad spectrum of professional regulators. The practice is instructed by health and social care regulators, as well as regulatory bodies from the veterinary, legal services, education, and surveyor sectors. Furthermore, the team handles work for police forces on a variety of police misconduct matters. James Penry-Davey and Mark Whiting co-head the team, bringing tremendous experience and knowledge in both the legal and healthcare sectors. The team is further strengthened by Kate Steele, Nicole Curtis, Mark Rogers, and Anna Holdsworth, who act for a range of regulatory bodies. Keziah Pearson leads on the delivery of the Social Work England relationship, whilst key support is provided by Louisa Atkin and Louise Culleton.

The team handling professional discipline work at Clyde & Co specialises in the defence of financial, legal, and healthcare professionals. The group provides advisory assistance, crisis management, and defence at disciplinary and regulatory hearings before a variety of regulatory bodies. The team is led by a capable trio: Fergal Cathie, James Roberts, and Adam Weston bring considerable experience in the legal, financial, and healthcare regulatory sectors, respectively. Lee Biddle has strong credentials in advising regulated healthcare businesses, whilst Stephen Hooper represents clients facing a range of criminal investigations in the healthcare sector, including allegations of sexual offences, fraud, and gross negligence manslaughter. Ewan Bright assists the team with niche experience advising and acting for healthcare professionals in relation to privacy, confidentiality and data protection law matters.

Kingsley Napley LLP‘s regulatory team provides advice to both regulatory bodies and individuals throughout the financial, education, healthcare, and legal sectors. Melinka Berridge, head of the regulatory team, advises regulatory authorities on fitness to practise schemes, compliance issues, and criminal prosecutions. The group’s offering is bolstered by Iain Miller and Julie Norris, who specialise in advising clients in the legal services sector. Julie Matheson‘s expertise lies in advising professionals and firms in the accountancy, audit, and built environment sectors, whilst Hannah Eales offers experience in the areas of police misconduct and fire safety. Elsewhere, Shannett Thompson specialises in healthcare and education, particularly with advising doctors in respect of investigations. Jessica Clay‘s broad experience leads to recognition as an expert when acting on behalf of general counsel and risk and compliance leads. The team is further strengthened by the support of Charlotte Judd, Sarah Atkinson, Kathryn Sheridan, and Clare Hastie.

The professional discipline team at Weightmans LLP regularly represents healthcare professionals before regulators, as well as defending solicitors facing SRA investigations and Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal proceedings. Furthermore, whilst working with traditional professions such as accountants and architects, the team is also involved with emerging professions, with work concerning the building safety regulator. The quartet of Sam Flew, Nigel West, Susanna Heley, and Tom Thurlow leads the team, with experience in the healthcare, legal, and construction sectors. The team is bolstered by the knowledge of William Childs, who advises clients in relation to disciplinary, regulatory, and criminal investigations and prosecutions in the healthcare sector. Ian Sadler is reputed for the depth of his expertise, representing medical defence organisations and healthcare professionals in a range of regulatory matters.

CMS‘ professional discipline and regulatory team regularly acts on behalf of regulatory bodies, preparing disciplinary cases for hearing, as well as defending medical practitioners in disciplinary proceedings, inquests, and police investigations on behalf of the Medical Defence Union. The group has a growing practice advising corporate clients in specialist education, children’s homes, and young adult care homes. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Rachel Cooper, who brings a wealth of experience acting for both regulators and individuals in the healthcare sector, and Yvonne Screene, who regularly acts for the Medical Defence Union, as well as representing doctors in judicial reviews and at appeals. Key support in this area is provided by Katie Clarke, who handles complex disciplinary cases and criminal proceedings.

DAC Beachcroft LLP‘s professional liability team covers a broad range of work, handling disciplinary work for accountants, lawyers, surveyors, and medical professionals. Clare Hughes-Williams heads the solicitor’s disciplinary team and is regularly instructed by law firms and their insurers to represent both firms and individuals who are the subject of investigations and professional disciplinary proceedings. Richard Highley leads on advising accountants and auditors, as well as larger firms, involved in investigations conducted by the Financial Reporting Council and ICAEW. Elsewhere, Louise Wiltshire leads the medical disciplinary team, receiving instruction from medical practitioners facing proceedings brought by a range of healthcare regulators. Furthermore, the group advises surveyors in matters brought by the regulator, with Charlie Bending leading the team in this area.

The regulatory, crime, and professional discipline team at Hempsons advises clients in the health and social care sectors, as well as other professionals, including police, sport, and corporate executives. Typical mandates for the team include advising clients on complex investigations, covering professional regulation and disciplinary matters throughout a spectrum of forums. The group demonstrates specialist knowledge in relation to public inquiries, representing a core participant in the Infected Blood Inquiry. Tania Francis leads the team, with a wealth of expertise in defending healthcare professionals. Adam Smith has a high level of experience and knowledge in the healthcare sector, as well as in advising in hospital trust and university disciplinary matters and inquests.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP professional discipline practice acts for both leading professional bodies, and firms and individuals involved in disciplinary investigations and proceedings. The team handles a range of instructions from other law firms and individuals subjected to SRA and Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal proceedings, as well as in the financial services sector. Andrew Lidbetter co-heads the team, bringing experience in prosecuting and defending disciplinary cases, having acted for both individuals and organisations subject to disciplinary proceedings and public body regulators. William Glassey combines significant experience in representing both firms and individuals before a range of regulatory bodies across various sectors.

Russell-Cooke LLP’s regulation and dispute resolution group boasts a breadth of expertise across various sectors, representing both regulated individuals and businesses, as well as professional and regulatory bodies. The team regularly acts for the SRA, particularly concerning insurance disputes and the SRA Compensation Fund, as well as for clients in the healthcare, property, finance, and education sectors. The group benefits from the joint leadership of John Gould and Matthew Bosworth, who specialise in the legal and sports sectors, respectively. Michael Stacey is well-versed in matters concerning architects and accountants, with an in-depth knowledge of the financial services sector. Key support in this area is provided by Sheetul Sowdagur.

Astraea Group‘s regulatory and compliance team is regularly instructed to advise and represent the SRA concerning matters such as disciplinary investigations, prosecutions, and appeals. Whilst predominantly focused on the prosecution of cases, the firm is additionally experienced in acting for the defence. James Ramsden KC leads the team, with notable experience acting for the regulator in complex and challenging investigations and prosecutions. Ramsden brings expertise in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. The team is bolstered by the experience of Rory Mulchrone, who is recognised for his work on behalf of the SRA.

The business and regulatory team at Blackfords LLP handles a range of work from initial investigations through to appeals following decisions, in relation to various regulatory and professional bodies. The group has a particular focus on the health and social care sectors, as well as considerable experience representing serving police personnel in misconduct and disciplinary proceedings. At the helm of the practice, Gary Rubin has particular experience in representing medical and social care professionals, whilst Trevor Francis has a broad practice with expertise in serious crime and fraud, and Robert Newbould leads on police misconduct and disciplinary proceedings.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s government, regulatory, and advocacy team regularly handles a range of work on behalf of the Department for Education in the professional discipline of the teaching profession. Alongside handling a broad mandate of work for the Teaching Regulation Agency, the group regularly advises on matters in the health and social care sector. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Fiona Butler and Ben Bentley, with further expertise and experience brought by Samantha Paxman.

DWF’s healthcare, professional indemnity and professional risks team advises and represents clients across all professional disciplinary matters, including in the medical, legal, accountancy, financial services and sports sectors. With considerable experience in the healthcare sector, the group has a particular focus on representing professionals who face proceedings before their regulator, investigations, and matters as part of inquiries. Euros Jones co-heads the team, with a focus on representing solicitors, barristers, and accountants, alongside Rosie Shapiro, who brings a wealth of experience throughout the healthcare sector.

Fieldfisher’s professional discipline team provides technical advice to a range of regulators, advising on regulators’ professional discipline processes. The team provides audit services, assisting regulatory bodies in reviewing and updating frameworks to reflect principles of fairness in modern regulation. Furthermore, the team is experienced in providing policy advice, drafting new rules, and delivering key training sessions to a variety of institutes. Sarah Ellson, who spearheads the practice, brings considerable experience of professional disciplinary work, in particular strategic and governance advice. Matthew Lohn has a high level of experience and knowledge advising statutory and royal charter regulators, with a particular focus on compliance issues.

Gordons Partnership 2020 Limited‘s professional discipline team specialises in advising healthcare professionals in all aspects of regulatory proceedings and healthcare law. The group is regularly instructed by major medical defence organisations, as well as corporate bodies and individual healthcare professionals. The practice features three subgroups, with Shelley Boyd leading the regulatory team, Susan Hunneyball the pharmacy group, and the health and social care practice being led by Neil Grant. Samantha Burges excels in supporting clients navigating regulator enforcement action through the Care Standards Tribunal.

The professional discipline team at Keoghs LLP represents the full range of professionals, from healthcare, veterinary, and construction professionals, to construction, legal, and FCA-regulated professionals. Whilst the team is active across a variety of sectors, it is particularly well known for its work in the veterinary and healthcare sectors, with Sarah Naylor heading the veterinary defence team, and Jason Howarth bringing experience representing various medical practitioners. The team is further strengthened by co-heads Ruth Lawrence and Sian Davies, with a focus on construction professionals and healthcare fitness-to-practice tests, respectively.

Keystone Law’s professional discipline and healthcare regulatory team specialises in defending professionals, with a focus on both the healthcare sector and legal regulatory, and insurance. The group handles matters relating to various healthcare regulators, from appeals, judicial reviews, PSA challenges, as well as criminal, inquest, and inquiry work. Andrea James focuses on defending professionals at fitness to practise proceedings before their regulatory bodies, while Tracy Sell-Peters has experience defending accountants as well as healthcare practitioners.

Murdochs Solicitors’ professional discipline and regulation team focuses on and is experienced in defending solicitors and other legal professionals facing regulatory investigations and disciplinary proceedings. The group is known for representing not just individuals, but also prominent firms facing proceedings. Andrew Blatt leads the team, with broad experience extending throughout the legal sector, and a niche specialism in managing voluntary practice closures to avoid intervention. Elsewhere, Robert Forman and Nick Trevette both regularly appear before the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal, acting for clients in a range of matters.

Richard Nelson LLP’s professional disciplinary team provides representation to individuals and organisations in professional disciplinary proceedings, including in the legal, accountancy, teaching, and medical sectors. The group is led by a capable trio. Richard Nelson’s primary focus is in relation to SRA-regulated lawyers, whilst Marie Dancer heads the medical regulatory and teaching team at the firm, and Steve Roberts regularly acts on behalf of accountants before various regulatory bodies. Sarah-Jane Varley is well-versed in acting for both healthcare professionals and teachers before their various regulators.

RPC’s professional practices group focuses on regulatory issues affecting the legal services, financial services, and healthcare sectors. The team often acts for professionals and their firms, advising on a broad range of contentious issues, from internal investigations to disciplinary proceedings. Co-head Graham Reid specialises in all aspects of the legal services sector, with a particular emphasis on lawyers and accountants, working alongside Robert Morris, who brings experience in professional indemnity and financial institutions dispute resolution work. Sian Morgan is noted for her work representing healthcare organisations and individuals across a variety of medical disciplines.

Stephensons Solicitors LLP’s regulatory team is known for its defence work across various sectors, including accountancy, healthcare, education, financial services, and legal services. The group advises both professionals and organisations facing action brought by their regulatory bodies, with an active portfolio of appellate work and extensive experience in disciplinary and registration appeals. Carl Johnson leads the group and is well-regarded for his work in the healthcare, accountancy, and legal services. Laura Hannah is noted for her work in the healthcare sector, with a particular emphasis on defending care providers facing regulatory action brought by the Care Quality Commission.

Bevan Brittan LLP’s litigation, advisory, and regulation team covers a range of professionals, acting for both regulators, regulated entities, and individuals. The group demonstrates knowledge across a variety of sectors, from legal services to accountants, education, and healthcare. Daniel Purcell leads the team, with considerable experience advising the commissioners, providers, and regulators of public services on both commercial and regulatory issues.

Brett Wilson‘s regulatory and criminal litigation defence team defends a range of professionals, including solicitors, law firms, healthcare practitioners, and architects, acting in a range of disciplinary proceedings brought by their regulators. Nick Brett has a high level of knowledge and experience in the industry and is frequently instructed by partners at large law firms in connection with SRA investigations and prosecutions.

The regulation team at CM Murray LLP offers advice on both contentious and non-contentious issues to law firms, solicitors, and accountants. The group regularly advises on disciplinary proceedings and internal investigations, with a focus on workplace culture misconduct. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Andrew Pavlovic and Nick Leale, who bring experience of SRA proceedings and investigations.

Cole Khan Solicitors LLP‘s professional discipline and regulatory team advises professionals from the legal, financial services, education, and accountancy sectors in matters brought by both regulators and employers. The firm specialises in employment and professional discipline issues, and benefits from the joint leadership of Emilie Cole and Shazia Khan.

Constantine Law Limited‘s team regularly acts for a range of professionals, representing those from the accountancy, legal, and healthcare sectors. The group often handles internal investigations, alongside providing employment advice, whilst also receiving instruction from professional firms facing issues with their regulatory body. Sarah Wallace spearheads the practice, often advising on regulatory or employer investigations, as well as workplace misconduct matters.

The professional discipline team at Hickman & Rose is recognised as a leading defence firm for regulated individuals facing both internal investigations and those conducted by their regulating body. Whilst the team is experienced in handling matters related to the financial services and accountancy sectors, it is particularly well known for its work with the SRA and in complex FCA matters. Andrew Katzen spearheads the practice, with experience in representing both individuals and corporate bodies facing investigation by regulatory bodies.

Howard Kennedy LLP‘s business crime and regulatory team handles a range of solicitors’ disciplinary work, advising both individuals and firms concerning SRA investigations and prosecutions. The group is also regularly instructed to handle a variety of matters outside the legal sector, including on behalf of accountants and architects. At the helm of the practice is Ian Ryan, noted for his experience handling SRA investigations and tribunal work.

McCormicks is particularly well known for handling disciplinary and regulatory work in the football industry, representing a range of clients throughout the sector. Further, the team is experienced in dealing with SRA investigations and Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal defence work. Peter McCormick, who is well known in the market for his sports regulatory and disciplinary work, co-heads the team alongside Peter Minnikin, who is noted for his expertise in handling work on behalf of medical practitioners.