Professional Discipline

Professional regulators and representative bodies are operating under increased pressure, as expectations and complexities of regulatory requirements brings scrutiny from a number of different quarters.

Bates Wells understands the public interest drivers for professional regulators - in particular, the protection of the public and maintaining public confidence. At the same time, the need to ensure proportionality and “right-touch” regulation can sometimes create a difficult balancing act.

With decades of experience advising professional bodies (both statutory and voluntary) we have not only an in-depth knowledge of the law, but a practical understanding of what’s needed to manage your real-world challenges.

For many years members of our team have been ranked in the legal directories as leaders in the field of Professional Discipline.

How we help

We advise on disciplinary cases and investigations, drawing on our extensive experience in this field; and also acting as legal assessors. We act in relation to all types of investigations, statutory, tribunal and in-house appeals and judicial review, as well as advocacy before all forms of professional regulatory tribunals. We also advise on policy issues and assist with drafting codes, regulations and policy documents.

 

 

Advocacy and representation at the highest level

Many of our partners and team-members are used to litigating at the highest level. We represented the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ICAEW in the Supreme Court case of Coke-Wallis v ICAEW and in Hill v ICAEW at the Court of Appeal. We also routinely act in disciplinary appeals to the Privy Council.

Acting for individuals

We act for registrants in proceedings against healthcare regulators and professional bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the General Social Care Council, the Health Professions Council, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and psychotherapy bodies.

“The team is thorough, diligent and responsive, and provides the legal reassurances clients require.”

Professional Discipline, Legal 500 2025

“Bates Wells is always able to take complex data and articulate the key themes that need further exploration.”

Professional Discipline, Chambers 2024

‘The BW team has the specific knowledge and experience needed to deal with regulatory and disciplinary issues in the complex and somewhat specialised area of public sector audit and accountancy.’

Professional Discipline, Legal 500 2024

‘Team members have very thorough knowledge of the issues and are capable of dealing with them in a practical way.’

Professional Discipline, Legal 500 2024

‘Fast turnaround with good guidance that takes into account current law and precedence.’

Professional Discipline, Legal 500 2024
Meet our team
You May Also Be Interested In

The Southport murders – will a non-statutory inquiry be enough?

The government has announced a public inquiry into the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice DaSilva Aguiar …
Read more

Strategic litigation and the water crisis

A few weeks ago, the March for Clean Water swept through London, with thousands demanding action on water pollution. The …
Read more

Groundbreaking cases and positive impact: Bates Wells recognised by The Times Best Law Firms 2025

We’ve been recognised by The Times Best Law Firms 2025 for our work for charities, employment, immigration, and administrative & …
Read more

Strategic litigation roundtable: the present and the future, the threats and the opportunities

On 6 November 2024, we hosted a group of experts and leaders from charities, campaign groups and funding organisations to …
Read more

“Distorted and fragmented responsibility”: the role of public law and regulation in ensuring accountability after the Grenfell Tower Inquiry

Seven years since the Grenfell Tower fire in North Kensington, a disaster which brought into devastating focus decades of institutional …
Read more