Leading London Employment Solicitors

Professional Regulatory and Discipline

At Neumans LLP we have been instructed on and have a great deal of experience with dealing with high profile cases involving members of regulated professions. We fully understand that any adverse findings in fitness to practice hearings or removal from practising registers will destroy a professional’s career and ability to earn a living.

We offer help and support for matters arising from the following disciplines and regulatory bodies:-

• Chiropractors – General Chiropractic Council
• Dental Professionals – General Dentistry Council
• Doctors – General Medical Council
• Health Professionals – Health Professions Council
• Nurses and Midwives – Nursing and Midwifery Council 
• Opticians – General Optical Council
• Osteopaths – General Osteopathic Council
• Pharmacists – The General Pharmaceutical Council
• Social Workers – General Social Care Council
• Social Workers (Wales) – Care Council Wales
• Teachers – General Teaching Council
• Veterinary Surgeons - Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

We have also been instructed to attend disciplinary hearings on behalf of regulated professionals. There is no automatic right to legal representation at a disciplinary hearing. However recent case law (including Kulkarni V Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and R (X) v Governors of (X) School and (Y) Council) suggests that the law is moving towards allowing legal representation in certain circumstances, especially when the allegations are very serious and the employment is regulated by an external professional regulatory body.

Where appropriate we will fight for you to be accompanied to a disciplinary hearing by a lawyer. If this is not possible then we are able to fight for disclosure of key documents that may assist you and analyse and prepare the matter for delivery by yourself, a friend or trade union official.

Funding for Professional Regulatory and Discipline Matters

These types of matters are usually funded on a private basis or by legal expenses insurance (usually under a home insurance policy). Costs are generally not recoverable for hearings in front of regulatory committees therefore we cannot offer any no win no fee funding.

Under certain circumstances we are prepared to cap our fees to give our clients certainty on costs and affordability. Sometimes we will start the matter on a normal private fee paying basis, and as the claim progresses charge a reduced rate.

For applications and / or appeals to the High Court we may be able to offer no win no fee funding. We may also be able to offer a discounted hourly rate. This is an arrangement whereby, as the claim progresses we will charge reduced hourly rates. This can be as low as 25% of the normal hourly rate. If you are successful we recover an enhanced hourly rate from the person you have sued.

Please speak to us. We aim to be flexible and accommodating.

If you have union membership or have legal expenses insurance you have the right to appoint your own solicitors. Please click here for further information.