2 Hare Court remains “a leading chambers which is home to savvy practitioners who tend to defend in disciplinary matters. The barristers are able to draw upon their strong criminal law backgrounds when operating in this space. They are admired for their adroit representation of professionals and regulators in medicine and veterinary medicine, as well as the police and financial services.” Chambers UK 2023.
Led by the 2022 Legal 500, Professional Discipline Junior of the Year Stephen Brassington, the Professional Discipline team has established 2 Hare Court as one of the premier Professional Discipline sets. Approximately one third of the members of Chambers practice in this field leading to individual recognition in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500.
Although members of the team act primarily for the defence before all the medical and healthcare regulators we also act on behalf of the GDC, the GOC and the GOsC. Our team has entered into innovative contracts with Nabarro LLP to provide advocacy services to the GOC and the GPhC, which regulates pharmacists.
This is one of the areas on which the team’s reputation is primarily based. Members are instructed by defence solicitors and insurers / indemnity providers to appear at all the healthcare tribunals and on appeal in the High Court. In appropriate cases members of the team can be instructed by lay clients directly. In addition to appearing in front of healthcare regulators we regularly represent healthcare professionals at NHS England hearings and other proceedings at a local / trust level and at Coroners’ inquests.
We also act in proceedings involving the Care Quality Commission and there is an increasing volume of care home work. Our members also advise on applications for inclusion to the GMC’s Specialist Register, and also appear in any related appeals. We regularly undertake such work on a direct access basis.
A number of members also practice in the field of criminal regulatory law. As a result the team is able to provide expert advice and advocacy at inquests and criminal proceedings involving allegations against healthcare professionals.
Chambers’ acknowledged expertise in financial crime has led to an ever-increasing volume of work before financial tribunals such as the FCA and ACCA. Members of the team appear in all types of regulatory and criminal cases arising out of the financial services legislation, especially market abuse, insider dealing, anti-competitive behaviour and breaches of restrictions on financial promotions.
We have a number of members who have spent time on secondment with the enforcement division of the FCA, and offer experience of negotiating financial settlements.
Our members have advised and presented cases of note on behalf of the FA including cases of financial irregularity, charges against sports agents and crowd control / disturbances at Premier League matches. Members of the team were instructed on behalf of the Hillsborough Enquiry where Jonathan Laidlaw KC represents the FA. Jonathan Laidlaw KC and Stephen Brassington successfully presented the FA’s case against John Terry for using racist language.
Other notable cases include the successful defence of members of the England Rugby Team accused of sexual offences whilst on tour, the Harlequins “bloodgate” scandal, where the team acted for amongst others the healthcare practitioners involved in the case and race fixing before the British Horse Racing Authority.
A number of members are regularly instructed to represent solicitors in proceedings before the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal. We can also advise on interventions and other SRA investigations, proceedings before the Adjudication Panels, and related proceedings in the Administrative Court.
We also act in proceedings brought against members of the Bar by its regulatory body.
We are happy to accept instructions from legal professionals on a direct access basis.
Our teams act for police officers in disciplinary proceedings and at inquests and public inquiries.
Members have also successfully represented military personnel in the Courts-Martial both in the UK and in operational theatres around the world, including Iraq.
For more information please contact Louis Lockwood on 020 7353 5324 or email louislockwood@2harecourt.com. We will guide you through our simple and transparent process and get the right representation for your matter.
Jonathan Laidlaw KC1982*
Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC1984*
Brendan Kelly KC1988*
Brian O'Neill KC1987*
Jonathan Kinnear KC1994 (Northern Ireland 1996)*
Michael Hayton KC1993*
Christopher Coltart KC1998*
Oliver Glasgow KC1995*
David Whittaker KC1986*
Leon Kazakos KC1999*
Marios Lambis KC1989*
Gudrun Young KC2001*
Andrew Colman1980*
Christopher Gillespie1991*
Craig Ferguson1992*
James Buchanan1993*
Christopher Foulkes1994*
Stephen Brassington1994*
Gavin Irwin1996*
Scott Ivill1997*
Peter Lownds1998*
Michael Rawlinson2002*
Rebekah Hummerstone2002*
Julia Faure Walker2004*
Vivienne Tanchel2005*
Sarah Przybylska2006*
Emily Dummett2006*
Harry Bentley2007*
Alexandra Tampakopoulos2007*
Fiona Robertson2008*
Amina Graham2008*
Tom Day2008*
Christopher Geering2009*
Ben Rich2010*
Will Martin2010*
Nikita McNeill2010*
Laura Stephenson2012*
Sophia Dower2013*
Paul Renteurs2013*
Lewis MacDonald2014*
Grace Forbes2015*
Hannah Thomas2016*
26th Sep 2024 Read more
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8th Apr 2024 Read more
See all news“2 Hare Court is the go-to set for professional discipline and regulation. Their counsel in this area are the best.” and “2 Hare Court has a great variety of counsel who are very experienced within professional discipline.”
“A very strong set, arguably the best for defence in healthcare regulatory proceedings.” Another says: “Always helpful clerking team and excellent counsel available” and “2 Hare Court is an excellent set.'”
Practice Clerk: “Louis Lockwood has established himself as a highly-respected, intelligent clerk with a strong grasp of the sector.” and “Louis Lockwood is incredibly responsive and always goes above and beyond to try and assist.”
One source remarks: “2 Hare Court have an outstanding professional discipline and regulatory practice. The entire set has wonderful expertise, and they can always offer a top-class barrister to assist.” Another says: “The set has a high calibre of both senior and junior barristers, all of which have in-depth experience of professional discipline.”
“The clerking term provide an excellent service; Louis Lockwood goes out of his way to assist. When we contact Louis with urgent enquiries he always provides a prompt response and takes proactive steps to find a solution.” And “The clerks, especially Louis Lockwood, are an absolute credit to the set and deserve the utmost praise. Without fail, they respond within a matter of minutes at times, with a list of suitable counsel.”
“The quality of service provided by 2 Hare Court is superb … a great set of chambers, with experienced barristers in regulatory and professional disciplinary law.” Another says “A preferred set for professional discipline … a very good professional disciplinary team, with strength in depth.” And “experts in the field of regulatory matters and professional discipline.”
“The clerks are very helpful and responsive … Louis Lockwood is always very responsive and deals with any issues very promptly.”
“Counsel at 2 Hare Court are incredible at digesting complex matters.” Another says: “The set has a formidable array of talent.”
“The clerking team at 2 Hare Court are always responsive and provide brilliant assistance. They are a credit to the chambers as a whole.” and “Their clerks have always been very responsive and effective; I would single out Louis Lockwood for particular praise.”
“2 Hare Court are exceptionally strong in the professional disciplinary world. Their number is the first that is called when excellent Counsel is required.” “2 Hare Court have excellent silks, unparalleled senior juniors and some really strong junior barristers coming up through the ranks. They are sure to be leaders in the field in future and will carry on the excellent reputation of this set.”
“The best set for professional discipline barristers – they are really top notch and can always offer someone excellent to assist.” and “An excellent set full of first class barristers – spoilt for choice with them.”
“The entire set has a wonderful regulatory expertise, and I have been fortunate enough to instruct a number of barristers from the set, all of whom have been top class.”
“Louis Lockwood in particular is excellent.”
“The clerks are highly organised and responsive. They always make time to organise the calls you need and are flexible in terms of organising conferences.”
“I really rate Louis Lockwood – he’s flexible and amenable while being a good promoter of the juniors at the set, which is a quality I respect in a clerk.”
Viewed as being within “the magic circle of regulatory chambers’, 2 Hare Court stands out as ‘an exceptionally strong set’ housing ‘great advocates.” “A highly respected chambers in the area of professional regulation work, with great strength-in-depth.” “This set is full of truly top class barristers. They are confident and know the areas of law they practise inside out. They are excellent at dealing with difficult clients and make getting brilliant results look easy.” “2 Hare Court have an outstanding professional discipline and regulatory practice. They are always top of my list to contact for counsel due to the number of excellent barristers of all levels in chambers.” and “The clerks are well organized, communicative, and easy to work with. Always very happy to help and quick to respond to queries.”
“Louis Lockwood consistently goes above and beyond to assist. Louis is extremely helpful and prompt in responding to requests.” and “Louis Lockwood is a legend, he is prompt, helpful and kind.”
“A leading set which is home to savvy practitioners who tend to defend in disciplinary matters. The barristers are able to draw upon their strong criminal law backgrounds when operating in this space. They are admired for their adroit representation of professionals and regulators in medicine and veterinary medicine, as well as the police and financial services. Areas of particular experience include allegations of substandard clinical practice, and sexual misconduct cases, including those with a criminal element.”
“The clerking is very good. Louis Lockwood is extremely helpful and I am always confident that I will get a high level of service from him. They are happy to accept electronic and encoded documents, and all barristers appear happy to work in this manner. The chambers itself is nice and bright, with good conference rooms and facilities. Reception is always helpful.”
“The set is home to a redoubtable band of impressive juniors who act in serious misconduct hearings, mainly for the defence. They are particularly strong in defending individuals from healthcare professionals, in proceedings of regulators such as the GMC, the GDC, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Optical Council. A number of barristers also present cases against professionals, and the set has additional experience in matters involving the police and financial services.”
“Excellent, responsive and consistent.” and “The clerks always go out of their way to find a suitable barrister for a matter, particularly at short notice.”
“2 Hare Court has a breadth of expertise in professional discipline disputes. The set focuses on defending individuals but also represents regulatory bodies. It supplies high-calibre advocacy services in disciplinary proceedings and court cases arising out of healthcare, sports, finance, policing and other sectors. The allegations it deals with are wide-ranging in nature and severity, and include inadequate care, drug use and sexual misconduct. “The strength of counsel there is excellent,” notes one pleased instructing solicitor.”
“the level of professionalism and expertise is really of the highest standard.”
“They have exceptional clerking. They are always available and nothing is ever too much trouble.”
“The clerks are very easy to work with and fall over themselves to help you. Tara Johnson, the clerk who leads the professional discipline team, is extremely helpful and efficient.”
Barrister Portfolio [10]
