Professional Discipline | UK Bar

Deans Court Chambers offers an exceptional bench of barristers who have renowned practices both prosecuting and defending doctors facing allegations of misconduct relating to clinical failings, sexual misconduct and other serious matters. Many of the barristers draw on their complementary skills in inquests and criminal cases to inform their practice in this area. According to one interviewee, its members are "consistently excellent, knowledgeable and highly effective in their advocacy".

Peter Kelly is the senior regulatory clerk.

Exchange Chambers exhibits strength in defending healthcare practitioners in fitness-to-practise hearings and other matters, including appeals. It can also boast substantial expertise in police disciplinary proceedings, and is recognised by an interviewee as "a big player in the policing area for the higher-profile cases". The barristers have acted on numerous matters that have attracted the attention of the national press. Recent cases include a high-profile inquest arising from Damien Bendall's murder of his partner and three children.

Nick Buckley, Ian Spencer and Neil Wright are the chambers directors for Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool respectively.

Members of Lincoln House Chambers are favoured by the GMC and often relied upon by medical professionals to defend a range of misconduct matters. The barristers also offer considerable experience in police disciplinary proceedings and are familiar with the regulatory framework of a range of other professions. One interviewee says that the set has "such a great variety of barristers".

David Wright heads up the professional disciplinary clerking team.

New Park Court Chambers is a Leeds-based set which can offer copious expertise in the medical and police disciplinary spheres, drawing on a strong profile in criminal law. Members have acted in serious and highly publicised regulatory and disciplinary matters involving various police forces, the GMC and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. One source says: "Counsel consistently show high levels of expertise in the area and provide quality advocacy."

Teresa Pugh is the practice director.

No5 Barristers' Chambers offers a solid practice in disciplinary work. Cases handled by the barristers typically concern police misconduct proceedings. Teaching regulation is an additional strength. One source says: "There is a barrister for every conceivable client."

Tony McDaid is the director of clerking and CEO.