Professional Discipline | UK Bar

1 Crown Office Row is a go-to chambers for medical professionals who are facing disciplinary action. The barristers make up an "excellent set of highly experienced individuals," who consistently achieve excellent results for clients in investigations and proceedings involving the PSA, GMC, GDC, RCVS and other regulators. They handle everything from allegations of poor conduct outside work to the most serious clinical failings. Recent highlights include the representation of Dr Nigel Rayner, the England U20 Rugby Union Team Doctor, before the Six Nations Disciplinary Committee, and acting for an osteopath accused of sexually motivated misconduct. One commentator notes: "They are the leading chambers in healthcare regulation and professional discipline," and another comments: "The barristers are not just intellectually sharp but personable and accessible. A cut above the rest."

The barristers at 39 Essex Chambers are regularly engaged in the most high-profile regulatory cases across various professions, including finance, medicine and the law. Members of chambers defend and prosecute disciplinary proceedings brought by key regulators such as the GMC, GDC and SRA. They are also frequently called upon for advice and representation in related appeals before the senior courts, including judicial review. Recent highlights have included the successful dismissal of a doctor's appeal against erasure for serious sexual abuse of a colleague. The barristers have also acted for the SRA in successfully resisting Peter Gray's appeal against its decision. A market commentator notes that the barristers are "at the top of their game."

Blackstone Chambers is home to a cluster of celebrated counsel who operate in the more visible cases arising from disciplinary matters in the financial, medical, legal and sports professions. The barristers are particularly notable for their abilities in legally complex appeals and associated public law challenges. The set's considerable capability across regulatory law more widely means that its members are often consulted by the professional bodies themselves for advice on their regulatory frameworks. A source notes that Blackstone is a "first-class set of chambers with a range of barristers at all levels, all of whom are exceptional."

Fountain Court Chambers is a pre-eminent professional discipline set which both prosecutes and defends. The barristers operate at the very highest level in the fields of legal and financial services regulation. Members regularly defend and prosecute solicitors, law firms and financial entities. Barristers from the chambers have recently been instructed in a raft of high-profile cases in the field, including acting on behalf of the SRA in proceedings against Soophia Khan and acting for the FRC against KPMG and others. One market commentator notes: "They are the pre-eminent set for professional discipline work, by a long way." Another comments that Fountain Court barristers are "the absolute stars in defendant professional discipline."

QEB Hollis Whiteman is best known for its firm grounding in criminal law, which its barristers bring to bear in their strong regulatory practice. Members are sought after to prosecute in significant matters arising in the context of medical, legal and financial professional regulation. Recent work highlights include acting for the GDC in the high-profile case concerning Dr Mew's controversial 'orthotropic' dental treatment, and the successful representation of a doctor facing multiple allegations of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. An interviewee remarks: "QEB are leaders in this field and the go-to chambers for complex regulatory matters."

Serjeants' Inn Chambers has a deep bench of quality barristers who are adept at handling an array of disciplinary matters involving doctors or the police. Members act for regulators in widely publicised and legally novel matters, and for individuals often facing career-ending allegations. Counsel exhibit additional strength in inquests and clinical negligence, which only goes to enhance their knowledge of regulatory practice in medicine and the police. Recent instructions of note include the defence of Commander Julian Bennett, facing multiple allegations; and prosecuting officers who were members of a controversial Whatsapp group formerly including Wayne Couzens. Many market commentators have described the barristers as "pre-eminent" in this field and solicitors view Serjeants' Inn as their "first port of call".

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 substandard clinical practice, and sexual misconduct cases, including those with a criminal element. Key recent instructions include the successful defence of a senior consultant physician and former Clinical Director, accused of allowing and subsequently covering up a patient's death; and the successful defence of Mr Goldman, the former Chief Executive of Heart of England Foundation Trust, accused of wilful failure to prevent the criminal behaviour of Ian Paterson. One source remarks: "The set has a high calibre of both senior and junior barristers, all of which have in-depth experience of professional discipline." Another says: "2 Hare Court have an outstanding professional discipline and regulatory practice. The entire set has wonderful expertise, and they can always offer a top-class barrister to assist."

Barristers at 3 Raymond Buildings are particularly adept at handling high public interest cases pertaining to the use of force by police officers, and those dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct. Members were involved in the successful representation of Deputy Superintendent Gill, head of the Cleveland Police professional standards department, who allegedly failed to investigate multiple allegations of sexual assault by a senior officer. Other notable highlights include the representation of an officer in gross misconduct proceedings after a counter-terrorism firearms officer shot a suspect during a covert armed deployment. The chambers can also boast a substantial pool of expertise in proceedings involving medical professionals. One interviewee reports: "3RB is my first port of call when I have any type of case. You know what you are going to get: thorough analysis and excellent advocacy."

Barristers at 4 New Square are admired for their expert handling of disciplinary matters for professionals across a range of different sectors, including legal and accountancy, and in various sports, notably horse racing. Members generally defend professionals but are also instructed by several regulators such as the SRA. Barristers from the chambers were recently instructed to act for defendant individuals that were involved in carrying out the 2016 audit of Carillion shortly before its collapse. They also successfully defended a former President of the Law Society in a private prosecution in the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal. One interviewee notes: "The set is well organised with some incredible stars." Another source comments that "every member of the set from the most senior to the most junior is able to handle complex matters and provide careful and strategic advice."

Old Square Chambers is a sought-after set for medical disciplinary matters, whose barristers enjoy a formidable reputation in defence work. Counsel are able to draw on their skills in other areas of law, such as employment and clinical negligence. They are regularly instructed in the most complex cases and appear before both tribunals and the higher courts. Recent work includes GMC v Cunliffe, in which Mark Sutton KC secured dismissal of all allegations. One market commentator notes: "Old Square is an excellent set with a real speciality in their crossover between professional discipline and employment law."

2 Bedford Row is noted for its defence-side professional disciplinary work in a number of sectors, and as a result members are sought after by numerous professionals such as lawyers, doctors, accountants and police officers. Barristers from the chambers are au fait with the regulatory framework of the GDC, GOC, SRA and many other professional authorities. One market commentator notes: "It is a very experienced and able set and its barristers have a real flair for advocacy."

23ES is a well-established regulatory chambers offering strong expertise in medical, legal and financial services misconduct work. The barristers are able to deftly handle the criminal interface arising in such cases, and members are often instructed in cases that set legal precedent. The set has notable experience in appeals before the higher courts, such as Wray v General Osteopathic Council. One market commentator notes: "23 Essex Street are able to handle complex and sophisticated matters. They can distil complex issues down to the most pertinent points for benefit of clients."

5 Essex Court is a strong set of chambers for police disciplinary matters. Members are selected by over half of all police forces in the country to present disciplinary proceedings. Barristers from the set additionally represent the IOPC in related matters. Their work takes in the prosecution of serious allegations relating to interactions between the police and public, inappropriate behaviour between colleagues, or substandard conduct while off duty. Key recent instructions include misconduct proceedings against an officer who was involved in a lengthy criminal investigation that was allegedly racially motivated. One commentator notes that the barristers "always impress with their ability to grasp and, where appropriate, simplify complex cases."

Outer Temple Chambers has notable capability in disciplinary work across a broad spread of regulated professions. The barristers tackle prominent regulatory cases in both branches of the legal profession, and have strong experience in the defence of doctors, dentists and nurses. Additional sectors covered are financial services and sports. Key recent instructions include acting a direct access barrister in BSB proceedings, and the representation of Dr Anthony Dixon concerning the clinical use of rectal mesh. One commentator notes: "Outer Temple has a very diverse group of skills and its barristers are exceptional in their field."