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Specialist lawyers with unrivalled expertise in case presenting and defending regulated professionals.
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Our specialist lawyers have unrivalled expertise in case presenting and defending regulated professionals across multiple sectors. Our team handles professional misconduct and discipline cases and investigations of all types and complexities.
Many types of professions are governed by professional regulatory bodies who may investigate alleged misconduct or breaches of regulation. Investigations can be challenging.
We provide pragmatic, sensitive advice to guide individual professionals and organisations through each stage of the investigatory process. We work closely with colleagues in our criminal and employment teams to provide a holistic service and address each of the multiple jeopardies that a professional under investigation can face.
While we understand that every case is unique, it's likely that we’ll have dealt with your type of professional disciplinary case before. Our team — made up of both case presenting and defence lawyers — is highly experienced in this area and handles matters of every description, from the straightforward to the incredibly complex.
Protecting regulated professionals across all backgrounds and industries
We accept instructions from insurance companies, medical and dental defence organisations, professional bodies and private individuals.
We help professionals and organisations from many different backgrounds, including doctors, dentists, pharmacists, social workers, opticians, chiropractors, paramedics, solicitors, barristers, chartered surveyors, veterinary surgeons, accountants, sports professionals, police officers and teachers.
With specific expertise in the healthcare sector, we assist professionals and organisations in fitness to practise and fitness to hold contracts of services within the NHS, MHPS and CQC investigations.
We act in front of a wide range of regulators, including the General Medical Council, General Dental Council, The Health and Care Professions Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Optical Council, General Chiropractic Council, Social Work England, NHS England, Solicitors Regulation Authority, The Bar Standards Board, Royal Chartered Institute of Surveyors, Badminton England and Institute of Chartered Accountants.
We also assist in Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman complaints, Maintaining High Professional Standards and Performers’ List Regulations.
We’re members of the Sports Resolution Panel for SCMP (Safeguarding Case Management Programme) and a panel firm for the DfE (Department for Education) Teachers Regulation Agency and regularly assist in investigation and case presenting matters of serious misconduct.
We’re also specialists in advising and defending university students who face disciplinary proceedings and assist in pre-registration and restoration applications.
Meet our expert professional conduct & discipline solicitors
Our talented professional regulation team is headed up by Deepika Raino, a Legal Director who has been practising since 2001. She’s highly experienced in fitness to practise, disciplinary, misconduct and criminal investigations and often represents healthcare professionals in medical inquests. She regularly advises professionals, high ranking officials and organisations in investigating and responding to internal and public investigations.
Deepika is supported by experienced Partner Lachlan Nisbet. Acknowledged as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ by The Legal 500 and “excellent” by Chambers and Partners, Lachlan is experienced in acting for regulated professionals, sports personalities, private companies and public bodies.
Our professional regulation team also comprises Jon Walters, who has an extensive background in fitness to practise investigations against doctors for the General Medical Council. Jon is also experienced in case presenting and defending other regulatory matters including for national sporting bodies, the Teaching Regulation Agency and various healthcare regulators. He has advised healthcare organisations and businesses on their regulatory and licensing requirements.
Sadie Thomson has a strong background in defending professionals in both professional conduct and criminal matters. She has a significant amount of experience representing both individuals and organisations in criminal defence proceedings, private prosecutions, police misconduct matters and public inquiries.
Thorrun Govind — former chair of the English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and trusted national commentator on health issues — compliments our team.
We believe that the added value we provide helps us to stand out from the crowd. A certified B Corp anchored in the North since 1815, we’re proud to have been acknowledged in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame, Chambers and Partners and The Times’ Best Law Firms.
Our professional conduct legal services
“I contacted Deepika Raino after my professional indemnity organisation refused to support me and defend me. From the first contact I was fully reassured and convinced by Deepika that she would do everything possible to receive a positive outcome. I felt a big relief as I was very desperate and did not know what to do. I fully relied on her professionalism and expertise. Over three years I was fully supported and contacted when needed. As a result, after the MPT reviewed the restrictions on my practise, they were revoked completely and my fitness to practise is no longer impaired. Thank you very much.”
General Medical Council Fitness to Practise investigation
“Many thanks to Deepika Raino for your help and support. Thank you for being there on the first day [of the hearing] which put me at ease and for all the valuable advice. I could not have done this without you”
General Medical Council Fitness to Practise investigation
“I would like to thank Deepika Raino for your support and guidance through what has been quite a challenging time. My application is in the best position it can be and fingers crossed we get a positive result.”
Solicitors Regulation Authority Early Character and Suitability Screening Application
“Deepika Raino is extremely professional, knowledgeable and timely in her work on behalf of her clients. Her personable communication and effectiveness in her position provides great reassurance in testing times for a positive resolution.”
University Lecturer Disciplinary Investigation
“You helped to save my career and will always hold a special place.”
General Medical Council Fitness to Practise Investigation
“Deepika Raino is responsive, an excellent communicator and has great judgment. Her case preparation is meticulous and she is extremely well organised. Clients trust her to handle the most difficult and complex cases with sensitivity and care.”
Barrister, professional colleague
“Deepika [Raino], you've been a fantastic help and support throughout the past year… thank you for all your guidance. I remember calling you feeling very helpless and lost but you quickly helped and reassured me, ensuring that the doctor and I had the support we needed in very testing circumstances, which ultimately led to the extremely positive decision. We honestly couldn't have gotten through it without you and your expertise. I will be forever grateful.”
General Medical Council Fitness to Practise Investigation
“Deepika [Raino], I have seen many defence/remediation bundles and your preparation and the way you are with clients is head and shoulders above others.”
Barrister, professional colleague
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