Peter Lownds

Professional Discipline

Peter is frequently instructed by regulatory bodies and on behalf of individual practitioners. His experience includes representing professionals in tribunals and in associated high court proceedings.

The experience he gained from working as a clinical negligence solicitor, and as a legal adviser to a leading teaching trade union, has equipped him with sensitive client care skills and invaluable insight into the disciplinary and performance problems experienced by professionals.

He has represented NHS England and acted for the regulator in cases against optical professionals, osteopaths, vets, and teachers. His defence practice embraces representing doctors, dentists, teachers, and police officers.

Peter has dealt with a wide range of cases including allegations of sexual offending, dishonesty, professional or clinical error, health issues, inadequate service provision, bullying and serious compliance failings, and alleged disgraceful conduct outside work. He is experienced in handling factually complex cases involving voluminous materials and multiple complaints. His criminal defence experience means that he has particular expertise in defending cases concerning allegations of dishonesty and sexual misconduct.

His cases this year have included defending a doctor accused of sexually harassing nurses and representing a doctor facing multiple allegations of dishonest misrepresentation.

Notable cases over the last two years have included defending a consultant accused of attempting to kiss a hospital inpatient, representing a doctor alleged to have plagiarised the academic work of a colleague, acting for a doctor alleged to have been inappropriately prescribing cannabis-based medicine, and representing a doctor accused of multiple acts of violence and coercive control during a 20-year private relationship.

He has acted as the legal adviser at hearings for the Teaching Regulator and for a University School of Medicine.

In addition, he has also served on the Professional Conduct Committee of the Bar Standards Board.