Professional Discipline
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7405 6566About
Provided by Russell-Cooke
The regulation team acts for regulatory bodies, regulated businesses and individuals across a range of regulated professions, including solicitors, barristers, healthcare professionals, architects, accountants, financial services professionals, optometrists and charity trustees.
We handle substantial and complex cases involving the most serious allegations, often with an international element and where there is a high level of public and media interest. We are increasingly acting on the defence side in legal services regulatory matters, advising a number of city firms and individual partners on regulatory issues, the investigation of allegations of misconduct (particularly in relation to sexual harassment) and in relation to subsequent regulatory action. Our clients include a number of city and national law firms, and over 40 sets of Barristers’ Chambers.
We are also one of three firms on the legal panel of the Law Society of England & Wales, and act for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy and a number of other national regulators and professional bodies.
The firm also regularly provides advocates and presenting officers to Tribunals, Disciplinary and Fitness to Practice hearings. Advocacy is both for the professional body and individuals. The team has Higher Rights of Audience for both civil and criminal work.
Chambers Review
Russell-Cooke is held in high esteem for its regulatory work in the legal, financial and healthcare sectors. The firm frequently assists regulators with investigations, evidence gathering and regulatory action. It also acts on behalf of individual practitioners and organisations in defending against disciplinary proceedings.
Work Highlights
- Russell-Cooke represented a barrister convicted of drink driving before BSB, resulting in a fine as opposed to a charge of lack of integrity.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Their quality and expertise are first-rate."
"One of the pioneers of professional discipline, Russell-Cooke has dominated the field for many years. It has unparalleled experience in acting for and against the SRA."
"Their quality and expertise are first-rate."
"One of the pioneers of professional discipline, Russell-Cooke has dominated the field for many years. It has unparalleled experience in acting for and against the SRA."
Notable Practitioners
John Gould of Russell-Cooke is a well-known and highly respected expert in the professional discipline sector, having earned an excellent reputation for his abilities in both prosecution and defence work. He regularly advises regulatory bodies, including the SRA and ARB, and is particularly adept at assisting lawyers facing sexual misconduct allegations.
"John's knowledge in the legal services sector is superb."
"John is especially strong in strategy and extremely impressive in real heavyweight work. I can't imagine a problem in the legal regulation area that John couldn't get; he knows it all."
Matthew Bosworth focuses on representing finance and legal professionals in investigations and fitness-to-practise hearings. He also assists regulatory bodies with disciplinary proceedings and procedural reviews.
"Matthew is a master tactician. He is extraordinarily adept at risk management for his clients. He makes all the right representations at all the right stages so the case goes away."
"Matt is absolutely brilliant at making sure his clients aren't charged. He is very trusted and has great judgement."
Michael Stacey enjoys a strong reputation for his knowledge of regulatory issues faced by clients in a number of industries. He represents legal, healthcare and education professionals in disciplinary hearings, in addition to assisting regulatory bodies with fitness-to-practise proceedings and procedural matters.
"Michael is always willing to listen and understand a different point of view or approach. He's able to work through problems and deliver pragmatic, sound advice."
"Michael is all over the details of every case and has a clear vision for focusing on the important points without losing sight of the details as well."
"He has the advantage of being really excellent; he knows everything about professional discipline and has really good judgement."
"Michael is approachable and open in all cases or legal discussions. He is always willing to listen and understand a different point of view or approach."
Sheetul Sowdagur is an associate in the regulatory and professional discipline team at Russell-Cooke. She regularly advises professionals in disciplinary proceedings relating to misconduct and has particular experience in the healthcare, sport and education sectors.
"Sheetul is a very experienced employment and regulatory lawyer. She is a useful contact because of this and is extremely good with client care."
Ranked Lawyers at
Russell-Cooke
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Russell-Cooke
Andrew Pavlovic
Ashmeet Wadwa
Lauren Cormack
Semin Taner
Tom Pritchard
Industries
Provided by Russell-Cooke
Architecture
Charity
Financial services
Healthcare
Legal services
Sports