Michael Rawlinson

Professional Discipline

Michael is recognised as a leading junior in Professional Discipline in Chambers UK, and is regarded as a specialist in healthcare disciplinary tribunals and police misconduct hearings. He utilises his extensive advocacy experience to consistently deliver outstanding results in this field.

Michael also specialises in the representation of professionals at inquests, particularly where there are potential issues concerning professional competence or alleged omissions or improper conduct that may have contributed to death. He routinely deals with complex issues of causation and concurrent allegations of impropriety or negligence.

Michael is regularly instructed by various medical defence insurance organisations, including both the MPS and the MDU to act on behalf of their members across a range of criminal and regulatory proceedings, as well as being instructed via the NHSLA, and on behalf of NHS England and NHS Direct.

Michael also has a highly regarded reputation in police misconduct work, and is instructed by various Police Federations across the country to represent police officers at misconduct hearings, inquests and in criminal proceedings.

Recent Cases:

General Medical Council v Doctor MI

Defended a GP in a two-week fitness to practice hearing involving allegations of sexual assault against a vulnerable female patient. Allegations found not proven and received a period of suspension in relation to other admitted matters.

Humberside Police v Sergeant GJ

Successfully defended a Custody Sergeant at a week-long misconduct hearing involving an alleged serious sexual assault upon a fellow police officer. All allegations dismissed.

General Medical Council v Mr SS

Currently instructed to defend a surgeon alleged to have unnecessarily carried out various surgical procedures for financial gain in a private hospital.

Merseyside Police v PC MF

Successfully argued abuse of process, leading to a stay of potential gross misconduct proceedings, following numerous breaches of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 by the Appropriate Authority.

General Medical Council v Mr SK

Currently instructed to represent a surgeon alleged to have negligently administered local anaesthetic leading to the death of a patient.

Humberside Police v DC JM

Detective Constable faced five allegations of computer misuse and dismissal for gross misconduct. Persuaded the Panel to exceptionally impose a Final Written Warning despite admitted Gross Misconduct.