Professional Discipline

Lydia Barnfather is a go-to barrister for many major healthcare regulatory bodies, including the GMC, GDC and General Optical Council. She regularly appears before tribunals as well as on appeal, and specialises particularly in conduct, health and performance-related issues. She also advises and acts for the PSA in significant appellate cases.

"Her advocacy presence is commanding, instilling confidence in her clients and instigating respect from her opposition."

"Lydia is extremely experienced and is instructed on the most complex cases. She is a fantastic barrister who is deeply respected by clients and other stakeholders."

"Lydia is able to dissect copious amounts of information and get to the heart of the case. She is extremely sharp and a real leader in the regulatory sphere."

Rebecca Harris is an established practitioner who has experience acting for both the defence and prosecution before a range of tribunals. She is particularly skilled in healthcare regulation and regularly appears on behalf of the GDC, General Optical Council and General Chiropractic Council.

"Rebecca is an approachable and persuasive advocate. She identifies the key issues in a case with ease and provides effective, practical advice. A pleasure to work with."

"A top-class advocate. Rebecca is elegant, industrious and on top of every legal issue."

Selva Ramasamy KC habitually handles matters on behalf of individuals and regulators, offering extensive expertise in cases involving allegations of sexual assault. His experience includes dealing with disciplinary proceedings in the healthcare, police and legal sectors.

"He is stellar."

"Selva is exceptionally experienced and always gets to the heart of issues. He’s a charming, persuasive and articulate advocate who holds the respect of clients, panels and opponents."

Tom Kark KC is a respected silk with extensive experience in the professional regulatory field. He focuses particularly on complex healthcare issues, in which he is instructed by the GMC and various other medical regulators. He has been appointed by the government on a number of occasions to carry out reviews and inquiries relating to the regulation of medical practice, including the Kark Review of the 'fit and proper person' test.

"Tom is a thoughtful, analytical and very well-reasoned barrister."

Zoe Johnson KC combines deep knowledge of both the criminal and regulatory fields to offer a real depth of expertise in professional discipline matters, especially those concerning psychiatric and medical causation issues. She is experienced in defending sensitive allegations of sexual misconduct. She is also proficient in cases relating to infant fatalities.

"An excellent advocate."

"Standout."

Philip McGhee is a skilled barrister with particular expertise in disciplinary cases in the healthcare and financial services professions. He acts both for and against regulators such as the GMC, GDC and General Chiropractic Council.

"Philip is bright, fair and effective and is a pleasure to work with."

Alexandra Felix KC has built up an impressive professional discipline practice representing regulators and defending individuals. Her instructions originate in a range of sectors including sports, police, healthcare, dentistry and legal.

"Alexandra is an excellent all-round KC. She is a very robust advocate and is always thoroughly prepared."

"Alexandra is a formidable opponent; she is extremely eloquent, hard-working and a force to be reckoned with."

Natasha Tahta's strong command of disciplinary law earns her frequent instructions from regulators including the SRA and GDC.

"Natasha is a fierce advocate, extremely sharp and quick-witted. She does her utmost to achieve the best outcome for her clients."

"Natasha is a great advocate and a real pleasure to work with."

"Natasha is incredibly fair and hard-working."

Sean Larkin KC is a highly respected practitioner who has a depth of experience acting on behalf of both defendants and prosecutors in the context of the medical professions. His broad expertise includes defending charges of sexual offences and serious dishonesty. He is also capable of appearing in related criminal proceedings.

"He's the barrister I would go to if I was in trouble!"

"Sean is really good with clients and provides really robust advice."

Thomas Coke-Smyth has a broad disciplinary practice, acting for regulators and professionals in healthcare and police matters. His clients include the GMC and the General Chiropractic Council, and he typically acts in cases involving substantial allegations of dishonesty or clinical failings.

"Tom is hard-working and responsive. He provides pragmatic advice with minimal fuss."

"He is really good, very fair and straightforward; he doesn't try and take any showground points."

Fraser Coxhill has a strong practice acting for defendants in police misconduct proceedings alongside prosecuting for regulators in disciplinary matters focusing on the medical, dentistry and teaching professions.

"He is so spot on and gets really fabulous results. He gets results time and time again."

Susannah Stevens is regularly instructed to represent a range of professionals before regulators, including doctors and police officers facing serious allegations.

"Susannah produces great arguments and is a humble, skilled advocate."

"Susannah is never dismissive. She is empathetic and explains options to her clients."