Dispute Resolution: Professional Discipline

Fieldfisher offers a market-leading team with an outstanding track record handling professional discipline matters. The law firm advises many of Ireland's statutory regulators on contentious mandates linked to the exercise of their regulatory functions, assisting both with initial fitness to practise investigations and in subsequent applications to the High Court for the confirmation of sanctions decisions. The team also defends appeals brought by affected professionals. Lawyers in the team have notable experience in cases acting on behalf of regulators for the education, medical and property services sectors and also handle broader advisory mandates that help clients to define their obligations and processes.

"Fieldfisher's main strengths are its knowledge base and breadth of expertise, coupled with its availability."

"Fieldfisher is excellent at handling the legal aspects of professional discipline. It is a very experienced team that is knowledgeable in all aspects of regulatory law."

"The team is very engaged and has a strong understanding of new legislation. It is extremely helpful in developing procedures."

"The lawyers recognise that in-house counsel is sometimes limited in resources and under a lot of pressure, and they're just very quick to respond and provide a service where you might be constrained in your own resources. They're very good at recognising the needs of in-house legal teams and plugging into those teams and giving them the best service."

Fieldfisher advised The Dental Council on an application to the High Court to suspend a member's registration.

Managing partner J.P. McDowell has a superb reputation for professional discipline work, frequently acting for regulatory authorities. "J.P. McDowell can always be relied on to provide clear, sound guidance, often at short notice." "J.P. McDowell is very knowledgeable." "He is guaranteed to provide the best available advice and guidance." "He offers a great service." "J.P. McDowell is really the original public regulatory lawyer who developed that space."

Rising to the top tier, Eimear Burke offers particular expertise in fitness to practise investigations on behalf of Irish and UK regulators. She has a strong practice representing both private individuals and regulatory bodies. "Eimear Burke is a very experienced lawyer in regulatory law. She has unparalleled experience in the field." "She offers great service, expertise and knowledge, andunderstands the issues and challenges facing clients."

Sinead Taaffe has experience in investigation processes, deficient professional performance claims and fitness to practise enquiries. She has particular strength advising medical regulatory boards.