The Legal 500

United Kingdom > London Bar > Professional discipline and regulatory law (including police law)

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Index of tables

  1. Professional discipline and regulatory law – Leading Sets
  2. Professional discipline and regulatory law – Leading Silks
  3. Professional discipline and regulatory law – New Silks
  4. Professional discipline and regulatory law – Leading Juniors

Professional discipline and regulatory law – Leading Silks

Professional discipline and regulatory law – Leading Juniors

As one of the pre-eminent sets in this area, Blackstone Chambers fields a host of big names, including Michael Beloff QC and Robert Englehart QC, who ‘clearly has the respect of the bench’. Mark Shaw QCexcels in court and in convincing clients of the best way forward’, and Javan Herberg QC is ‘very knowledgeable on FSA matters and rules’; he is ‘the person you would want representing you if you were ever in trouble’. Recommended juniors include the ‘excellentKate Gallafent, Emma Dixon, who is ‘in full command of her area of expertise’, and Catherine Callaghan, who is ‘a real star’. Adam Lewis QC is also rated as ‘eminent in this field’. Regulatory up-and-comers include Tristan Jones, who is ‘intellectually impressive’ and ‘always prepared to go the extra mile’.

One Crown Office Row’s star performers include Philip Havers QC, who ‘clearly commands the highest judicial respect for his submissions and arguments’; and Kieran Coonan QC, who has ‘a very effective style for this sort of work’. The ‘very bright and goodJoanna Glynn QC and Christina Lambert QC are also recommended. Junior Robert Kellar has ‘extensive experience in disciplinary and regulatory work’, and the ‘absolutely fearlessClodagh Bradley is ‘not afraid to explore every avenue fully’. Other notable juniors include Shaheen Rahman and Matthew Barnes, who is ‘diligent, well prepared and a very competent advocate’.

At Thirty Nine Essex Street, Gregory Treverton-Jones QC is ‘undoubtedly the go-to man in relation to solicitors’ regulatory work’; Jeremy Morgan QC has ‘expert knowledge of his areas and deserves the respect and gravitas he is given’; and Nigel Pleming QC is ‘incredibly knowledgeable in the field’. Fenella Morris QC, who recently took silk, is ‘likely to be in high demand as a QC given her experience as a junior’. Among the juniors, David Bradly is ‘a firm favourite with clients and tribunals’, and Alexis Hearnden has ‘considerable experience of solicitors’ disciplinary work’. Vikram Sachdeva is ‘very likeable and knowledgeable in regulatory law’, and up-and-comer Robert Lazarus’ ‘style of advocacy strikes the right tone with the regulators’.

3 Serjeants’ Inn is a ‘strong set’ that provides an ‘excellent standard of service’ among its ‘many able barristers’. Robert Francis QC is a ‘seasoned veteran of professional disciplinary and regulatory law’ who has a ‘great track record’ and a ‘powerful presence’. Adrian Hopkins QC is ‘highly skilled in this area’, and the ‘incredibly hardworkingJohn Beggs QCinspires confidence in clients’. Stephen Morley is ‘highly regarded in respect of police discipline matters’, and Mark Ley-Morgan is ‘particularly skilled at inquest representation’. Claire Watson is ‘an outstanding advocate who is always exceedingly well prepared’, and Gerard Boyle has a ‘reassuringly calm approach’. Sarah Clarke has ‘extensive experience of market abuse and regulatory actions’.

At 1 Chancery Lane, Lord Faulks QC has an excellent reputation, ‘particularly in the context of healthcare work’. Alastair Hammerton provides ‘strong technical and strategic advice’, is ‘calm under pressure’ and ‘brilliant with clients’. The ‘very approachableGeoffrey Weddellworks quickly’, and the ‘impressiveDavid Thomson is ‘very thorough and pleasant to deal with’.

5 Essex Court has an excellent reputation for police professional misconduct work. Head of chambers Fiona Barton QC has represented police forces at inquests into the 7/7 bombings and the Cumbria Shootings. Other key players include Jason Beer QC and junior Kate Cornell, who is ‘very professional in her preparation and presentation of cases’.

The advice provided by 23 Essex Street’s members is ‘always of a reassuringly high standard’. Dafydd Enoch QC is a ‘good lawyer and an effective advocate’, and Gary Summers has ‘the ability to grasp a case quickly and formulate a strategy for success from the outset’.

Fountain Court Chambers’ barristers are particularly known for their work for the SRA, especially ‘the leading player in this areaTimothy Dutton QC, who recently acted in cases arising out of copyright litigation claims made by solicitors against the public. Patricia Robertson QC and Michael McLaren QC are also recommended, as is Richard Coleman QC, who took silk in 2012. Recommended juniors include Edward Levey.

Outer Temple Chambers fields a number of ‘outstanding barristers’, and the clerks are ‘of an exceptionally high calibre’. ‘One of the leading QCs in this area’, Richard Lissack QC is both ‘insightful and client friendly’, and Gordon Bebb QC is ‘very good at clearly putting forward difficult legal arguments’. Brendan Finucane QC’s ‘methodical approach makes him the perfect silk to work with’; he ‘works phenomenally hard and leaves no stone unturned in defending his clients’. Fiona Horlick is ‘at the top of her game’ and ‘combines charm, charisma and an unbending will to succeed’.

QEB Hollis Whiteman has ‘a well-deserved reputation as a leading set in this field’. Jeremy Donne QC is a ‘fair, robust and talented performer’, and Tom Kark QC is ‘someone to go to for high-profile cases of significance, particularly where sensitivity is needed’. Sarah Plaschkes QC is ‘incredibly personable and ferociously bright’, and new silk Zoe Johnson QC has ‘a first-class brain’. Lydia Barnfather is ‘refreshingly alive to the issues facing regulatory clients’, and Rebecca Harrisconsistently impresses with her ability to deal with complex clinical issues’.

2 Hare Court’s Jonathan Laidlaw QC is a ‘top-notch performer’. Stephen Brassington is also recommended.

Recommended barristers at Three Raymond Buildings include Patrick Gibbs QC, who is a ‘highly effective individual with an incisive mind’; Hugh Davies, who is ‘one of the top juniors in the field of police disciplinary law’; and Neil Saunders, who is ‘able to command the respect of the court and everyone around him at all times’.

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