Professional Discipline | UK Bar

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.

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 include acting for the SRA in a high-profile case concerning alleged breaches of money laundering regulation at a top City law firm. A market commentator describes the set as having "a specialist and effective team working at all levels".

Peter Campbell is the director of clerking for regulatory law.

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 been instructed in a raft of high-profile cases in the field, including representing Dentons in proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in response to allegations that the firm breached the Money Laundering Regulations. One interviewee notes the set's "very strong track record of handling complex matters".

Alex Taylor is the set's senior clerk.

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 highlights include successfully prosecuting a case concerning misleading advice surrounding experimental 'orthotropic' dental treatments. One source celebrates the set for offering "unparalleled expertise in professional discipline".

Chris Emmings is the senior clerk.

Serjeants' Inn Chambers has a deep bench of high-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 significant instructions include representing Thames Valley Police in proceedings against multiple officers accused of serious sexual misconduct and violence against women. One solicitor highlights that there is an "excellent and wide-ranging skill set across the set", alongside market commentators referring to the set as "one of the best sets when it comes to police misconduct".

1 Crown Office Row is a go-to chambers for medical professionals who are facing disciplinary action. The "exceptional strength" of the barristers means "members are always able to provide first-class advice and representation" across the full range of professional discipline work, while consistently achieving 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 successfully defending a dentist at a High Court appeal against erasure by the GDC’s Professional Conduct Committee. One commentator notes that the set has "an exceptionally strong bench with some of the most able advocates at the Bar".

John Petrie MBE is the director of chambers.

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. The chambers also boasts a substantial pool of expertise in proceedings involving medical professionals. Members have recently been instructed in a high-profile case representing a Chief Superintendent in a case concerning his covert sexual relationship with a junior female probationer. The set's bench has been described as "some of the most intellectually able at the Bar".

Eddie Holland is the senior clerk.

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 in the first set of proceedings concerning SLAPPs. They also successfully defended an architect, helping them to avoid being struck off for alleged incompetence. One interviewee praises the set for offering a "breadth of expertise across professions and professional issues".

Lizzy Stewart is the set's senior clerk.

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 leading set for contentious regulatory matters".

Derek Sutton and Adam Sloane are joint senior clerks.

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. Recent highlights include defending doctors at GMC hearings against allegations including exam cheating and sexual harassment. An interviewee highlights that the set "offers very professional but user-friendly barristers and clerks".

Daniel Randall is senior regulatory and professional disciplinary clerk.

2BR 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, SRA, GOC and many other professional authorities. Members recently defended a long-running HCPC case in which it was argued that the delay in the case breached the Registrant’s human rights. One source notes: "The set has a large pool of talent in the area of professional discipline."

John Grimmer is the senior clerk.

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 includes the prosecution of serious allegations such as those relating to inappropriate use of force or allegations of racism, sexism and homophobia. Tenants are involved in high-profile cases in police misconduct, including disciplinary proceedings relating to the death of Chris Kabba. One commentator mentions the "vast array of talent and expertise" that the set has to offer.

Mark Waller is the senior clerk.

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 a case concerning whether the former chair of a proscribed terrorist organisation should be debarred from practice as a GP, a case relating to rights to freedom of religious belief and expression. One market commentator notes that the set has "a large number of barristers with strong knowledge of professional disciplinary issues".

William Meade is the senior clerk.

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 for the Bar Standards Board in a case alleging sexual impropriety by a high-profile silk. Instructing solicitors celebrate the set for its "strong pool of experienced counsel".

Rebecca Priestley is the set's chief executive.