With a reputation for being 'a genuine powerhouse in relation to regulatory and professional discipline cases', QEB Hollis Whiteman houses a team with solid expertise in advising on matters in the education and legal sectors, as well as prosecuting and defending in fitness to practise proceedings involving the GMC and GDC. Selva Ramasamy KC appeared for the defence in SRA v JG, a case concerning allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace being brought against a senior solicitor; the solicitor received a 24-month suspension. Lydia Barnfather is 'a top class barrister who always presents things clearly and methodically and has a calm and incisive style of advocacy'. Rebecca Harris KC took silk in March 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Selva is a specialist in cases involving professionals charged in criminal, regulatory and disciplinary proceedings. His principal focus is financial crime, and cases involving doctors (and other healthcare professionals), particularly those involving complex technical issues. He has wide experience in GMC, GDC, GCC, HCPC and GOstC cases including appeals to the High Court. He is regularly instructed in prosecutions and regulatory cases involving legal professionals. He also specialises in representing police officers in disciplinary proceedings. He has substantial experience in cases of fraud involving banks, companies, financial advisers and share dealing, as well as in the healthcare sector. He has expertise in health and safety cases, and those involving general crime including sexual allegations. He also represents interested parties in complex inquests. Recent criminal cases include defending a doctor against allegations of sexual assault; defending an osteopath against allegations of sexual assault; SRA private prosecutions under the Solicitors Act and the Legal Services Act; defending an actress/ producer in the first prosecution for fraudulent claims for film tax credit; defending a sub-postmaster accused of trading in counterfeit stamps; defending a CEO in a prosecution for making misleading statements to the market in the largest fraud on the Alternative investment Market. Recent disciplinary cases include defending an osteopath against allegations of sexual assault during the course of examinations; representing a police officer in disciplinary proceedings arising out of a death in custody; an inquiry into a series of exposure prone procedures leading to the largest "look back" exercise in NHS history; and an inquiry into a fatality arising from conflicting opinions about the use of alternative remedies. Recent inquests include acting for the family of a Royal Navy officer who died in a fall from a warship; acting for a company in relation to a workplace electrocution; and acting for a police officer in relation to a death in custody.
Career
Called lnner Temple 1992. Recorder 2009. Member of the Bar Standards Board Prosecuting Counsel Panel for Disciplinary Hearings.
Memberships
Elected member of the Bar Council (1997-2000); Criminal Bar Association committee (1997-2000 and 2008-09); British Association of Sport and Law; Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers; Health and Safety Lawyers Association; registered with the Bar Council Public Access Directory; Public Access Bar Association.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Chris Emmings is one of the best clerks in the business. He has an exceptional knowledge of the market place.'
- 'Chris Emmings is well supported by Faye Stimpson and David O’Sullivan.'
- 'Chris Emmings is personable and finds solutions.'
- 'The clerking team is knowledgeable and proactive. They really know the expertise of their barristers, and can assist you swiftly and efficiently.'
- 'One of the longest-established, leading sets in the field of professional discipline.'
- 'QEB is full of talent.'
- 'The barristers from this chambers are highly skilled in the field of professional regulation - well prepared, and fully versed in current case law.'
- 'Very sound set..'