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  1. Professional discipline
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Capsticks has a team of ‘extremely able and efficient lawyers’ who ‘provide a first-class service’. Praised for its knowledge of regulatory matters, it is ‘strong on investigation and preparation’; it is also ‘good when presenting cases’, ‘responsive’, and ‘good on choice of counsel’. Key clients include the GDC, the GPhC and the GOC. Practice head John Witt has ‘a very thorough and quick understanding of the law’; and he and Mark Whiting ‘provide an extraordinary supervisory role over a large number of cases’. Annie Sorbie and Peter Steel are ‘excellent’, and ‘highly experienced, as well as of very sound judgement’.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘thoroughly reputable’ team includes the ‘excellent’ Matthew Lohn, who became the firm’s managing partner in 2011; Sarah Ellson subsequently became head of the public and regulatory group. The firm has a ‘depth of experience’, particularly in healthcare where key clients include the GMC and GDC. It was recently appointed by the NMC to carry out investigation work, including cases relating to the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust public inquiry. Clients outside healthcare include the SRA and RICS; it is advising the latter on the establishment of its international Valuer Registration Scheme.

Kingsley Napley LLP’s ‘excellent-quality’ practice focuses predominantly on healthcare, with the HPC and GDC among its key clients. Highlights included representing the SIA in an appeal against its decision to refuse Approved Contractor Status to 21st Security Ltd. It also acted on behalf of the GTC in prosecuting a former teacher. Stephen Parkinson is ‘professional, experienced, calm and knowledgeable’. Nicola Hill has ‘absolute integrity’, and ‘displays independent and sound judgement’.

RadcliffesLeBrasseur represents individuals within the healthcare arena; recent examples include acting for a claimant challenging an employer’s refusal to refer for an NCAS assessment before embarking on disciplinary proceedings. Alex Leslie leads on the health side, while Nigel West is recommended for solicitors’ defence work.

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is ‘very good’ in the healthcare arena, regularly advising doctors and dentists in disciplinary disputes. It recently acted for an NHS trust in an inquest into a death during a hip-replacement procedure, and represented an optician from Boots in a fitness-to-practise hearing. It also advised a paediatrician involved in childcare proceedings on issues of confidentiality and responding to the press. The department is jointly headed by Gary Allison and Mike Brown, in London and Manchester respectively. Cardiff-based Jane Lang is also recommended.

Bevan Brittan LLP’s Iain Miller is ‘a real expert in the field – an absolutely safe pair of hands’. The team is spread across London, Bristol and Birmingham, and acts for a variety of regulators. It has particular expertise in the legal sector, where clients include the SRA, and was recently appointed to advise the Bar Standards Board on drafting its regulation framework. It also advised the General Teaching Council for England.

Blake Lapthorn was recently instructed by the General Social Care Council in prosecuting a social worker who allegedly failed to provide an appropriate service to vulnerable children; and also assisted the General Osteopathic Council in investigating allegations of unacceptable professional conduct towards patients. The practice is led by Nick Leale and Bradley Albuery; the latter is ‘an excellent advocate’ who is ‘client focused’, and ‘always able to take a committee with him’. Chris Alder has ‘an amiable approach to client care’ and is a ‘gifted problem-solver’, while barrister Guy Micklewright is ‘extremely analytical in determining the appropriate way forward’.

Hempsons is highlighted for its ‘excellent attention to detail, knowledge, and customer care’; the firm has ‘long had a medical and dental specialism’, and the team is ‘very thorough’ and ‘good at keeping to timescales’. Chris Morris heads the group; he and newly promoted partner Richard Creamer have ‘excellent knowledge’. Key clients include the MDU and the DDU.

The team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP is commended for its industry knowledge, approachability and ‘high-quality service’. Practice head Katrina Wingfield ‘knows the work inside out’ and ‘processes cases efficiently’; Geoffrey Hudson is ‘understated but brilliant’; and barrister Nicole Curtis is ‘a clear and authoritative advocate’. The firm has handled numerous cases for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, as well as advising the SRA and the Farriers Registration Council, among others.

DAC Beachcroft LLP’s practice is led by Stephen Hocking. It acts as legal assessor to the disciplinary committee of the Charted Institute of Building, advising on all misconduct cases that come before it; and regularly represents local authority members charged with breaches of the members’ code of conduct. It also carries out a range of work for the MDU.

Eastwoods Solicitors is a niche firm comprising ten fee-earners, and is renowned in the healthcare sector, acting predominantly for doctors and dentists. Simon Eastwood is recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP’s Andrew Lidbetter enjoys an excellent reputation in this area, acting both for and against regulators. Martyn Hopper has extensive financial services disciplinary experience, and Nusrat Zar is also recommended. CIMA is a key client.

Andrew Lockley heads the public law group at Irwin Mitchell, while Sarah Wallace heads the regulatory and criminal investigations group; both have excellent reputations. Recent mandates for the firm include acting for two partners in law firm Bakewells, in an SRA investigation following alleged regulatory failings by a former partner.

Nabarro LLP is on the panel of advisers to the MDU, advising on a wide range of disciplinary matters. Peter Fitzpatrick and Chris Horsefield lead the London and Sheffield teams respectively.

RPC’s team is ‘highly professional, and works in a timely manner’, and is ‘very knowledgeable about complex healthcare matters’. Key clients include the Medical Protection Society, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, and the British Osteopathic Association. The firm also acts for a number of law firms and financial organisations. Claire Jaycock and Dorothy Flower are recommended.

Russell-Cooke LLP’s clients include the Institute of Legal Executives, the Architects Registration Board, and the GDC. It recently acted for the SRA in litigation concerning Dean & Dean Solicitors, and in subsequent disciplinary proceedings against former partners. Peter Cadman heads the group.

Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers has a broad range of expertise, handling prosecution and defence work as well as providing general legal advice to regulators. The firm was recently instructed by the ACCA to investigate and prepare a number of disciplinary complaints cases concerning certified accountants. It also acts for the SRA and GDC. Rosemary Rollason heads the department.

At Ambrose Appelbe, James Freemantle has built a reputation for representing solicitors; he has ‘an impeccable professional manner’, and ‘shows the greatest care and commitment to clients’.

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s team is ‘dedicated, hardworking, straightforward, and extremely pleasant to work with’. Led by the highly respected Tom Cassels, it counts the FSA and the British Olympic Association among its clients.

Bankside Law has a niche advising individuals facing investigations and other proceedings brought by regulators. Bill Wilson has been involved in a number of high-profile cases.

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s practice spans the accountancy, health, sport, and education sectors. Longstanding clients include the BASW and the GDC. Team head Melanie Carter is recommended.

Bindmans LLP’s team is led by Stephen Grosz QC (Hon), and includes John Halford, who ‘bends over backwards to find time to talk through issues and determine strategies’. The firm regularly acts for the Law Society in regulatory matters involving legal aid solicitors.

Charles Russell LLP’s David Reissner is ‘in a league of his own’ when it comes to pharmacy-related matters; the firm is ‘pre-eminent’, and has ‘specialist knowledge’ in the field, and provides regular advice to the National Pharmacy Association. It also advises Sainsbury’s and DAS Legal Expense Insurers.

Clyde & Co LLP advises on accountancy, medical, legal and financial services disciplinary matters.

Eversheds LLP’s Peter Jones is well known as an expert in public inquiries, and has recently been acting in this capacity for the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP specialises in solicitors’ defence work, and gives ‘pragmatic advice’. Ian Ryan is ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’; he ‘combines this with first-class advocacy skill’, and is a ‘leading solicitor advocate for tribunal cases’.

Fishburns LLP regularly acts for doctors appearing before the GMC. Tracy Sell-Peters is recommended.

At Hill Dickinson LLP, Angela Horne leads a team that is ‘very knowledgeable and helpful’, and ‘always meets deadlines’. It acts for a mix of regulators, including dental and health bodies.

Legal Risk ‘punches above its weight’, and specialises in advising law firms. Frank Maher is ‘masterful’, and ‘his international exposure is impressive’. Francis Dingwall and Sue Mawdsley are also recommended.

William Glassey is now the key figure at Mayer Brown International LLP, which regularly acts for law firms. In 2011, Clare Canning left to become global general counsel at Ernst & Young, and two other partners have moved to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP.

Mills & Reeve LLP advises on disciplinary matters as part of its wider administrative and public law practice. Richard Sykes has advised the GDC on various related matters.

Stephenson Harwood continues to advise accountants and solicitors, led by Tony Woodcock.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s Julian Randall has a solid reputation for representing financial institutions and accountancy firms, with a focus on large and complex cases.

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Legal Developments in London for Professional discipline

  • Supreme Court provides guidance 
on forum conveniens and piercing the corporate veil


    Macfarlanes LLP currently authors the Litigation & Dispute Resolution section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here . This article considers the Supreme Court decision in VTB Capital plc v Nutritek International Corp & or s [2013]. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the case is that it casts doubt on the notion that the Court has the power to pierce the corporate veil. The Supreme Court also held that, even if the power to pierce the corporate veil does exist, it does not enable a claimant to hold parties that control a company jointly and severally liable under contracts entered into by that company. 

    - Macfarlanes

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