The Legal 500

Work Department

Professional discipline and regulation.

Position

Joined Russell Jones & Walker as an equity partner November 2009 to head the new professional discipline and regulation team, to consolidate and develop the firm’s existing expertise in the area. Currently acting as a legal assessor to two healthcare regulators (General Chiropractic Council and General Dental Council). Appointed as a member of the disciplinary and competence committee of CIPFA. Advises a number of regulatory bodies and also individuals facing regulatory and disciplinary issues in the health, social care and legal sectors. Providing training to the disciplinary committee of the RCVS. Specialised areas include: sitting as legal adviser/legal assessor to disciplinary committees; extensive advocacy before regulatory tribunals; investigation and prosecution of regulatory cases on behalf of regulators; advising on appeals and judicial reviews; advising on regulatory policy; drafting of secondary legislation and procedural rules; and designing and providing training to panel members of regulatory bodies. Practice has been primarily advising regulatory bodies, also acted for individuals facing regulatory issues including solicitors, accountants, and healthcare professionals. Regular speaker at external conferences (CLT) on professional regulation on a range of topics relevant to regulatory and disciplinary law. Author of articles on professional regulation for internal and external publication.

Career

Trained Alastair Thomson & Partners; qualified 1988. Hopkins & Wood, junior assistant solicitor 1988-90; Walker Martineau (now merged with Penningtons), assistant solicitor 1990-98, becoming a partner in 1996. Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, partner, public and regulatory law group 1999 to November 2009; Russell Jones & Walker, partner and head of professional discipline and regulation November 2009.

Member

Secretary and committee member of the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL), having been one of the founding members since 2002. Law Society.

Education

Latymer School, London 1970-79; Queen Mary College, University of London (1983 LLB Hons 2(1)); Guildford College of Law (1985 Solicitors Final Examinations); Date of admission to Roll of Solicitors April 1988.

Practice Areas

Healthcare; Professional disciplinary and regulatory law (including police law); Public sector