Ranking tables
Professional Discipline | UK
UK-wide
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
Senior Statespeople
Band 1
- Iain Miller Kingsley Napley LLP19 Years Ranked
- James Penry-Davey Capsticks LLP11 Years Ranked
- Jayne Willetts Jayne Willetts & Co Solicitors Limited24 Years Ranked
- John Gould Russell-Cooke17 Years Ranked
- Julie Norris Kingsley Napley LLP14 Years Ranked
- Melinka Berridge Kingsley Napley LLP12 Years Ranked
- Nicole Curtis Capsticks LLP15 Years Ranked
- Rachel Cooper CMS11 Years Ranked
- Sarah Ellson Fieldfisher19 Years Ranked
Band 2
- Andrew Howell Taylor Wessing LLP17 Years Ranked
- Frank Maher Keystone Law21 Years Ranked
- Ian Ryan Howard Kennedy LLP27 Years Ranked
- Jane Lang Clyde & Co LLP15 Years Ranked
- Mark Whiting Capsticks LLP16 Years Ranked
- Melanie Carter Stone King LLP17 Years Ranked
- Nigel West Weightmans16 Years Ranked
- Sam Flew Weightmans20 Years Ranked
- Adam SmithHempsons
- Andrew BlattMurdochs Solicitors
- Rachel BirksWard Hadaway LLP
Band 3
- Adam Weston Clyde & Co LLP14 Years Ranked
- Andrew P Katzen Hickman & Rose21 Years Ranked
- Julie Matheson Kingsley Napley LLP7 Years Ranked
- Kate Steele Capsticks LLP11 Years Ranked
- Stewart Duffy Weightmans8 Years Ranked
- Susan Mawdsley Keystone Law15 Years Ranked
- Susanna Heley Weightmans11 Years Ranked
- Robert FormanMurdochs Solicitors
- Tania FrancisHempsons
Band 4
- Andrew Lidbetter Herbert Smith Freehills27 Years Ranked
- Clare Strickland Blake Morgan1 Years Ranked
- Fergal Cathie Clyde & Co LLP11 Years Ranked
- Gary S Rubin Blackfords LLP12 Years Ranked
- Graham Miles Blake Morgan20 Years Ranked
- Ian Sadler Weightmans16 Years Ranked
- James Ramsden KC Astraea Group5 Years Ranked
- Matthew Bosworth Russell-Cooke16 Years Ranked
- Matthew Lohn Fieldfisher20 Years Ranked
- Michael Stacey Russell-Cooke6 Years Ranked
- Richard Nelson Richard Nelson LLP18 Years Ranked
- Sarah Wallace Constantine Law15 Years Ranked
- Shannett Thompson Kingsley Napley LLP4 Years Ranked
- Simon Gomersall Weightmans8 Years Ranked
- Steve Roberts Richard Nelson LLP3 Years Ranked
- Tracy Sell-Peters Keystone Law8 Years Ranked
- William Childs Weightmans12 Years Ranked
- Deborah NicholsonMarkel Law LLP
- Judith DuffinTLT LLP
- Katherine SheldrickHempsons
- Nicholas TrevetteMurdochs Solicitors
- Rosie ShapiroDWF
- Surjit DubbHempsons
Band 5
- Claire Whittle DLA Piper LLP4 Years Ranked
- Fiona Butler Browne Jacobson LLP3 Years Ranked
- Graham Reid RPC1 Years Ranked
- Julian Randall Taylor Wessing LLP18 Years Ranked
- Keziah Pearson Capsticks LLP4 Years Ranked
- Mark Rogers Capsticks LLP9 Years Ranked
- Nick Brett Brett Wilson LLP14 Years Ranked
- William Glassey Herbert Smith Freehills15 Years Ranked
- Carl JohnsonStephensons
- Clare Hughes-WilliamsDAC Beachcroft LLP
- Ros FosterHill Dickinson LLP
Up and Coming
Star Associates
Associates to watch
- Jennie Dawson CMS1 Years Ranked
- Kathryn Sheridan Kingsley Napley LLP1 Years Ranked
- Sheetul Sowdagur Russell-Cooke3 Years Ranked
- Victoria Rees Richard Nelson LLP1 Years Ranked
- Charlotte EllisDWF
- Fameeda ShafiqWard Hadaway LLP
- Francesca SnapeMarkel Law LLP
- Lauren WilsonMarkel Law LLP
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Capsticks LLPProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 1 | 21 Years RankedCapsticks houses a first-rate team held in high regard for its expertise in professional discipline matters in the healthcare and legal sectors. The team undertakes fitness-to-practise hearings, High Court appeals and judicial reviews for numerous major healthcare regulators such as the GDC, GPhC and GCC. The firm continues to advise the SRA as sole provider for disciplinary and litigation work, including matters before the SDT.1 Clyde & Co LLPProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 1 | 39 Years RankedClyde & Co draws upon the firm's signature strengths and institutional knowledge of the insurance sector to represent medical practitioners on behalf of private medical malpractice insurers in fitness-to-practise hearings. The team frequently represents healthcare professionals in GMC and GDC investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct and dishonesty. It is also adept at assisting NHS trusts with independent investigations into the care provided by medical professionals. The firm possesses additional strength in representing solicitors in SDT proceedings.1 Kingsley Napley LLPProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 1 | 21 Years RankedKingsley Napley has an outstanding professional discipline practice with a formidable track record in defending professionals facing disciplinary proceedings. The firm also advises regulators on investigatory and prosecutorial matters, alongside broader roles counselling on public policy and governance issues. The team regularly acts for clients in a diverse range of industries, including legal services, health and social care, education and finance.1 WeightmansProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 1 | 35 Years RankedWeightmans is recognised for its strength in advising on regulation and compliance issues for medical professionals, regularly assisting them with hearings before the GMC and GDC. The firm is noted for its ability to assist with police investigations as well as sensitive inquests and inquiries. The team possesses noteworthy expertise in defending solicitors facing SRA proceedings.
Band 2
2 Blake MorganProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 2 | 29 Years RankedBlake Morgan has a distinguished team that acts for a broad range of regulators, with a particular focus on the healthcare and education sectors. The firm is noted for undertaking its own advocacy and advising major regulators such as the GDC and the TRA. The firm possesses a strong presence in the architectural and social care sectors and frequently acts for engineering regulators. The team also advises on changes and reviews of statutes as well as general governance issues.2 CMSProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 2 | 9 Years RankedCMS has a standout team recognised for its representation of medical practitioners before the GMC. The firm also assists regulators such as the GOC, GPhC and RICS with the prosecution of cases. The team regularly advises on individual hearings as well as the development and review of regulatory proceedings.
Band 3
3 FieldfisherProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 3 | 21 Years RankedFieldfisher is a highly respected practice that undertakes investigation and prosecution work for major regulatory bodies. The firm possesses expertise across numerous sectors, including health, police, education and finance. Fieldfisher is also adept at assisting with audits of clients' regulatory procedures and the provision of training.3 Murdochs SolicitorsProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedMurdochs Solicitors has a niche team specialising in defence of solicitors' professional discipline proceedings. The firm has particular expertise in SDT matters, SRA forensic investigations and voluntary practice closures. It is experienced in providing advice on interventions and appeals.3 Russell-CookeProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 3 | 21 Years RankedRussell-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.3 Taylor Wessing LLPProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 3 | 14 Years RankedTaylor Wessing possesses particular strength in the field of financial sector regulation, advising on high-profile regulatory proceedings against accountants. The firm frequently acts for major professional service firms in relation to FRC investigations. The team is experienced in managing the interaction between large and complex civil claims, disciplinary processes and regulatory inquiries.
Band 4
4 Bates WellsProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 4 | 15 Years RankedBates Wells is recognised for its expertise in regulation across a range of sectors, particularly accountancy, veterinary and healthcare. The firm regularly assists with investigations into allegations such as sexual misconduct and dishonesty. Bates Wells also provides advice and representation to regulators on corporate governance and regulatory matters.4 Blackfords LLPProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years RankedBlackfords represents individuals particularly in the health and social care sectors, appearing in hearings before a variety of regulators such as the GMC, NMC, Social Work England and the HCPC. The team is also recognised for its experience acting for police officers and Ministry of Defence police personnel facing misconduct proceedings. The team is well placed at handling professional discipline matters that overlap with criminal investigations.4 Browne Jacobson LLPProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 4 | 9 Years RankedBrowne Jacobson has a respected practice known for its expertise in the healthcare and education sectors. The firm represents numerous regulators, providing them with advocacy, advice on investigations, and training. The team is experienced in the full spectrum of professional disciplinary work, including presenting before panels, conducting cases before the High Court and Court of Appeal and acting as legal advisers to statutory committees.4 Herbert Smith FreehillsProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 4 | 21 Years RankedHerbert Smith Freehills has a specialist practice noted for advising on regulatory matters relating to the financial and accountancy sectors. The firm acts for professional bodies such as the FRC and ACCA, as well as individuals and firms involved in disciplinary proceedings. It is also adept at advising on cases involving criminal proceedings brought against regulated professionals.4 Hickman & RoseProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years RankedHickman & Rose represents professionals and firms in the financial and legal services facing investigations by the FRC, FCA and SRA. The team advises individuals who are also represented in relation to criminal allegations.4 Richard Nelson LLPProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years RankedRichard Nelson is a multidisciplinary practice that offers representation to individuals in the healthcare and legal sectors. Its team regularly advises solicitors facing SRA investigations for a range of matters including serious misconduct. It is also adept at assisting healthcare professionals such as nurses, social workers, and doctors facing misconduct allegations and fitness-to-practise hearings as well as other regulatory issues.4 RPCProfessional Discipline2025 | Band 4 | 10 Years RankedRPC predominantly represents individuals and firms in the legal services, accountancy and architecture industries. The team offers a broad range of support from advice to representation in regulatory investigations and proceedings before disciplinary tribunals. They have significant experience defending registrants before the SRA, BSB, FRC, ICAEW, ARB and RICS.