Why choose our Professional Discipline lawyers?
We have the expertise to advise on complex or novel issues in professional discipline and understand that confidence in regulatory bodies is critical. With a broad regulatory remit, we are one of the go-to firms for strategic advice on new regulatory frameworks, strategic reviews, high profile or unusual cases and novel legal issues.
Across the UK and Ireland, we have acted for over 50 different regulators across health and social care, law, finance, teaching, policing and sport. We also advise higher education institutions that offer courses of study leading to professional regulation. As a consequence, we can offer strategic oversight in the world of professional discipline.
Drawing on our depth of experience and ability to cross-pollinate ideas, we undertake strategic redesigns of regulatory systems and advise on new regulatory frameworks. We also undertake investigations and present cases before disciplinary tribunals.
Our team is adept at drafting new legislation or rules. We undertake major drafting projects and have prepared guidance and training on developing case law in the field.
We are routinely instructed to train in-house legal teams, panellists and legal advisers. We are regularly called upon as highly regarded and trusted experts to audit professional discipline processes and deliver Board-level reporting and 'lessons learned' reports and audits on compliance, alongside practical recommendations and training for improvement. We advise businesses who engage regulated professionals on fitness to practise and compliance issues.
How?
We work with diverse regulatory models: traditional statutory regulators; regulators whose work is largely combating illegal practice; regulation which has grown out of membership organisations; and those who are developing market-driven regulation. This gives us a wider, more holistic advantage in the market.
We advise on appeals, judicial reviews and public inquiries arising from the work of regulatory bodies and have particular experience at looking at the lessons learned from such challenges and implementing resulting changes.
Why?
The UK team is led by Sarah Ellson, who is ranked Band 1 in the UK legal directories:
"Sarah Ellson is outstanding – very smart, knowledgeable, and with great judgement" – Professional Discipline client (Legal 500).
In Ireland, we have a particular specialisation in Professional Discipline in our Public and Regulatory team, which is one of the largest in the country. The team is led by JP McDowell who is ranked Band 1 in the Irish legal directories:
"JP McDowell has a superb reputation for professional discipline work, frequently acting for regulatory authorities. Respondents praise his reputation in the area and praise his direct handling of regulatory and disciplinary work" – Chambers Europe 2022.
The team in Ireland advises on the whole gamut of professional discipline and has worked on mutual recognition arrangements in Europe and beyond.
Latest Legal updates in Ireland
Click here