Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Professional Discipline - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

2 Hare Court is a leading chambers which is home to savvy practitioners who tend to defend in disciplinary matters. The barristers are able to draw upon their strong criminal law backgrounds when operating in this space. They are admired for their adroit representation of professionals and regulators in medicine and veterinary medicine, as well as the police and financial services. Areas of particular experience include allegations of clinical failings and sexual misconduct cases. Standout recent instructions include the successful defence of a GP accused of dispensing controlled drugs at private, unlicensed slimming clinics over the course of several years, and of a paramedic accused of historical rape where the alleged offence occurred 14 years prior to his becoming a paramedic. Clients describe the set as "perfectly adept at handling complicated and sophisticated matters", with an "impressive selection of counsel".

Julian Campbell is the director of clerking.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Stephen Brassington
Stephen Brassington
Star Individuals

Stephen Brassington is an outstanding advocate with a varied practice, focusing particularly on the defence of medical professionals. He has experience appearing in disciplinary proceedings brought by the GMC and GDC, as well as at inquests. He also represents the SRA, the Football Association and the GOC in prosecutions.

Stephen Brassington wins unwinnable cases on a regular basis. He is excellent with clients, who all sing his praises after a hearing, and his oral submissions are always compelling and persuasive.

Stephen's cross-examination skills are mesmerising, and he possesses an exceptional ability to charm both clients and panels.

Stephen is rightly thought of as the best in the business. He effortlessly gains the confidence of clients and committees alike.

Andrew Colman
1
Andrew Colman
1
Band 1

Andrew Colman is recognised for his adept defence of doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals in major fitness-to-practise cases. His varied practice regularly sees him prosecuting on behalf of the Teaching Regulation Agency. He is also experienced at representing practitioners in inquests, and is adept at handling judicial review proceedings and statutory appeals.

Andrew Colman is the fount of all knowledge regarding healthcare regulatory law.

Andrew is an exceptional professional discipline counsel. He possesses a thorough mastery of legal documents and demonstrates expertise in eliciting evidence during cross-examination.

Andrew is extremely experienced and very responsive. He cuts through all the noise to get to the heart of each case.

Christopher Geering
1
Christopher Geering
1
Band 1

Christopher Geering has a strong reputation in the professional disciplinary sphere. He focuses on the medical profession and tends to represent registrants in disciplinary proceedings of the GMC, the GDC and other regulators. He has additionally presented a number of cases on behalf of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Christopher delivers advocacy that is understated yet devastatingly effective.

Christopher possesses extensive knowledge in all aspects of professional discipline and is a case law genius. His advice is consistently pragmatic and succinct.

When we need the cavalry, Christopher Geering is the go-to. He's phenomenal, and very good for a very complex case.

Marios Lambis
2
Marios Lambis
2
Band 2

Marios Lambis KC possesses particular expertise in the field of healthcare regulation. He is a popular choice for the defence of medical practitioners, regularly appearing in GMC fitness-to-practise hearings as well as associated criminal cases. He is skilled at defending allegations of dishonesty and clinical incompetence.

He is phenomenal; he has a very measured and therefore highly effective advocacy style.

Marios Lambis KC is a class act. His clients adore him, he gives really pragmatic advice, and he has real gravitas.

Marios is well regarded and exceptionally clever.

Sarah Przybylska
2
Sarah Przybylska
2
Band 2

Sarah Przybylska acts for an extensive range of healthcare and veterinary professionals before regulators such as the GMC, GDC and RCVS. She is noted for her appellate work and is also regularly called upon to coordinate complex investigations on behalf of regulators.

Sarah Przybylska is a team player and picks things up really quickly. She's willing to be brave.

Sarah Przybylska is an excellent and persuasive advocate who impresses tribunals.

Sarah is extremely down to earth and approachable, an absolute joy to work with. I appreciate her empathy with my clients, particularly when dealing with sensitive allegations.

Tom Day
2
Tom Day
2
Band 2

Tom Day is an approachable barrister with experience in a wide variety of professional discipline cases, especially in the healthcare sector. He regularly defends practitioners before the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and also prosecutes on behalf of the Football Association, GDC and GOC.

Tom Day is a talented, charming and skilled advocate. He is exceptionally personable and is highly regarded by both clients and panels.

Tom is an excellent barrister with skills others must envy. He is meticulous in his preparation and thoughtful in his client-handling, with a calm and smooth advocacy style.

Tom puts everyone at ease, which is a real strength to get a great outcome. He is a genuinely lovely barrister.

2
Vivienne Tanchel
2
Band 2

Vivienne Tanchel is a highly versatile barrister who acts for both registrants and regulators covering a broad spectrum of professions, focusing on medicine but also taking in accountancy and other areas. She has experience in highly consequential proceedings, in particular those relating to sexual misconduct.

Vivienne Tanchel is amazing. She has a way with clients and is tenacious. She always does the work and is well prepared.

She goes to bat for my clients and is robust before panels.

I was very impressed by Vivienne. She was good on her feet and knowledgeable on the case law.

Christopher Coltart
3
Christopher Coltart
3
Band 3

Christopher Coltart KC has built a busy practice in professional misconduct matters generally involving high-ranking in-house accountants or financial officers. He predominantly represents defendant professionals.

He's such a technician - always so savvy and composed. I find him very impressive.

Chris consistently provided clear and precise advice on challenging areas of the law and he exercised excellent strategic judgement while striking a commendable balance between robustness and empathy.

Christopher Gillespie
3
Christopher Gillespie
3
Band 3

Christopher Gillespie acts for medical practitioners in regulatory proceedings, with experience in the workings of the GDC and GMC. He also acts in prosecutions for other regulators, including the GOC and the General Osteopathic Council.

Christopher Gillespie is extremely easy to work with and he takes the client with him when explaining, giving confidence that he is on their side.

Chris delivers masterful approach to submissions and advocacy.

A very safe pair of hands and a sensible advocate.

Ben Rich
4
Ben Rich
4
Band 4

Ben Rich defends and prosecutes before a range of regulatory bodies including the NMC, GMC, GOC and Association of Certified Chartered Accountants. He is recognised for his deft handling of cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct and dishonesty. In addition to acting in disciplinary proceedings, he handles criminal cases and judicial reviews.

Ben is exceptionally hard-working and knowledgeable. He consistently delivers excellent results for clients and is one of the most prepared counsel we have encountered.

Ben Rich won an excellent outcome for our client in a long-running matter.

Ben Rich has a thorough and no-nonsense approach to advising clients.

4
Laura Stephenson
4
Band 4

Laura Stephenson is regularly instructed to defend healthcare professionals before regulatory bodies. She has considerable experience defending doctors before the GMC.

Laura Stephenson delivers excellent written submissions. She is diligent and hard-working.

Laura is a strong, measured and persuasive advocate. She consistently delivers high-quality advice and is a pleasure to work with.

Laura is focused on the job and on top of the issues. She's diligent, very user-friendly and commercially aware.

4
Michael Rawlinson
4
Band 4

Mike Rawlinson is an experienced barrister with a background in criminal law who focuses on acting for police officers in misconduct hearings and appeals as well as inquests. In disciplinary proceedings, he also acts on behalf of healthcare practitioners.

Scott Ivill
4
Scott Ivill
4
Band 4

Scott Ivill regularly defends professionals in the healthcare sector before the GMC and other regulators. He has also presented cases on behalf of regulators such as the General Osteopathic Council.

Scott is always well prepared and is exceptional at dealing with more challenging clients.

Thorough, efficient and realistic but always focused on the most positive outcomes, Scott helps clients understand what needs to happen to improve their case.

Scott Ivill is a charming and persuasive advocate.

Gavin Irwin
5
Gavin Irwin
5
Band 5

Gavin Irwin is a talented barrister who is sought out to represent healthcare professionals before the GMC, the GDC and other regulatory bodies.

Gavin is a talented and skilled advocate. He is held in high regard by clients and panels alike.

Lewis MacDonald
5
Lewis MacDonald
5
Band 5

Lewis MacDonald is a well-regarded junior barrister who specialises in disciplinary cases in the legal and accountancy fields, in which he represents senior partners and other prominent individuals.

Lewis has a supportive client manner and handles high risk concerns well.

Lewis MacDonald is a strong advocate with significant experience.

A very good operator who clearly cares about his clients.

Peter Lownds
5
Peter Lownds
5
Band 5

Peter Lownds brings the perspective of his previous career as a clinical negligence solicitor to his work at the Bar. He is often instructed both by regulatory bodies and individual healthcare practitioners, with a wealth of experience defending before the GDC and GMC.

Peter is a hard-working and diligent counsel, consistently delivering outstanding results. He remains calm and collected under pressure, making him a pleasure to work with.

Peter is highly effective. He emphasises the correct angles but does not over-egg it, so he gets committees to see things from his point of view.

Peter Lownds is user-friendly and is particularly well liked by clients.

Ranked Barristers at
2 Hare Court

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Professional Discipline

Marios Lambis KC
2
Marios Lambis KC
2
Band 2
Christopher Coltart KC
3
Christopher Coltart KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Professional Discipline

Stephen Brassington
Stephen Brassington
Star Individuals
Andrew Colman
1
Andrew Colman
1
Band 1
Christopher Geering
1
Christopher Geering
1
Band 1
Sarah Przybylska
2
Sarah Przybylska
2
Band 2
Tom Day
2
Tom Day
2
Band 2
2
Vivienne Tanchel
2
Band 2
Christopher Gillespie
3
Christopher Gillespie
3
Band 3
Ben Rich
4
Ben Rich
4
Band 4
4
Laura Stephenson
4
Band 4
4
Michael Rawlinson
4
Band 4
Scott Ivill
4
Scott Ivill
4
Band 4
Gavin Irwin
5
Gavin Irwin
5
Band 5
Lewis MacDonald
5
Lewis MacDonald
5
Band 5
Peter Lownds
5
Peter Lownds
5
Band 5