Our professional regulation & discipline solicitors can advise and defend you or your business if you face an investigation or disciplinary action.

If your profession is governed by an official body, it can investigate you for alleged breaches of regulation and discipline you based on their findings.

Contact our team today on 0800 028 1943 to discuss your situation.

What Professions Could Face A Professional Discipline Investigation?

Registration with a regulatory body is vital to several professions and many can't practice at all without it. A governing body can revoke your registration or licence if it finds that you’ve breached its regulations or that you aren’t fit to practice.

Professions that could face an investigation include:

Solicitors
Doctors
Dentists
Pharmacists
Nurses
Psychologists
Social workers
Financial advisors.

We work with many professionals to defend claims that they can’t do their job. Find out how we can help by contacting us on 0800 028 1943.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For Professional Regulation Issues?

We know that investigations can be damaging to your career or business. By guiding you through the process, we can help to protect your reputation.

If an investigation leads to a tribunal or hearing, we’ll support you through the legal process. We can also appeal decisions if you’ve been treated unfairly.

Our dedicated team of professional regulation and discipline lawyers will be with you every step of the way. We’ll work closely with you so you can get back to work as soon as possible.

Contact our team online to find out more.

Experience with a wide variety of professional bodies

Skilled negotiators and mediators

Proven track record at judicial review

Offices around the country

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Professional Regulation And Discipline - More Information

- Which Professional Bodies Can Irwin Mitchell Help With?
- Our team advise clients about investigations by professional bodies including:
  - Solicitors' Regulatory Authority (SRA)
  - Bar Standards Board (BSB)
  - Accountancy & Actuarial Discipline Board (AADB)
  - Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accounting (CIPFA)
  - Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  - London Metal Exchange (LME)
  - General Medical Council (GMC)
  - General Optical Council (GOC)
  - General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
  - General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
  - General Dental Council (GDC)
  - Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
  - Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  - Healthcare Professionals Council (HPC)
  - Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)
  - National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL)
  - Pensions Regulator
  If you’re under investigation or face legal action from one of these bodies or any others, please contact us for more information.
- What Happens In A Regulatory Or Disciplinary Investigation?
- An investigation can happen if there are concerns about your fitness to practice in your field. Each body has its own processes, but most follow these steps:
  - The regulator checks if the allegation is about your fitness to practice or a breach of its code of conduct.
  - The regulator makes initial enquiries. It will tell you in writing and invite you to respond - but you don’t have to.
  - The regulator takes witness statements, collects evidence and communicates with the relevant parties. They’ll keep you up to date with their progress.
  - Once the investigation finishes, you can respond in writing within a set timeframe.
  - The regulator reviews the paperwork from both sides and decides if you need to go to a hearing or tribunal.
  We can help you defend your position during the investigation or at a hearing or tribunal. We can even challenge a tribunal decision at judicial review. Get in touch with us for a free initial consultation.
- When Should I Get Legal Advice?
- You should get legal advice as soon as possible so we can help limit the damage of a complaint.
  
  An investigation could disrupt your day-to-day business. You’ll have to deal with the investigation, attend interviews and provide documentation.
  
  The stress and anxiety of an investigation can also affect your work. We can help you resolve issues quickly so the investigation doesn’t negatively affect you.
  
  An investigation can also damage your reputation in your industry. If you get in touch with us early, our expert solicitors can keep the investigation as short and discreet as possible.
  
  If you’re expecting an investigation or face disciplinary proceedings, call us today on 0800 028 1943 to find out how we can help.
- What Costs Are Involved?
- Costs vary from case to case but our prices are competitive. We always work to settle issues as quickly as possible to keep your costs down.
  
  Many of our clients have Legal Expenses Insurance to help cover the cost of legal advice or defence for regulatory and disciplinary claims. We’ll help you explore all your legal funding options to ensure you get the best defence possible.
  
  If you’re providing funding yourself, you’ll get a full quote up-front and regular costs updates as the case progresses. We can offer different billing options such as fixed fees and monthly instalment plans to suit your situation.
  
  If you have any questions about costs or funding, please contact us to find out more.
- Meet The Team
- Our Professional Regulation & Discipline team specialises in regulatory and disciplinary body investigations and tribunal hearings. As part of one of the UK's top law firms, you can rely on us to offer expert advice and defend your interests.
  
  We understand the importance of your professional registration and the impact that losing it could have. When you talk to us, we'll get to the root of your concerns to make sure we understand your situation. Meet our Professional Regulation & Discipline lawyers.
  
  Meet our Professional Regulation & Discipline lawyers

I feel like I've taken on the world and beaten it, not just for me but for everyone else."

Mrs R, Client

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Choose Irwin Mitchell To Represent Me During Regulatory Or Disciplinary Proceedings?

As one of the UK's largest full-service law firms, we have the expertise and resources to give you the very best defence, whatever your circumstances.

As well as legal experts, we also have experienced negotiators and mediators. We may be able to help you avoid lengthy and costly legal battles, minimising the damage a regulatory dispute could do to your career and professional reputation.

Our Public Law & Human Rights Team have an extensive history of success with challenging public body decisions at judicial review. If your regulatory body has treated you unfairly during an investigation, we could appeal a decision they make.

We understand how important your reputation is to your career. Regulatory and disciplinary investigations can have a huge effect even if allegations aren’t proven. Our Defamation, Libel & Slander specialists can help you if untruthful and malicious allegations are made against you.

With Irwin Mitchell offices around the country, you’re never too far away to get the help and advice you need. Call us today on 0800 028 1943 or contact us online for more information.

What Does Fitness-To-Practice Mean?

Fitness to Practice involves having the skills and knowledge to effectively carry out your profession. You must be Fit to Practice to get a licence or registration from your governing body.

Usually, you’ll need certain qualifications and show evidence of continued learning during your career to meet Fitness to Practice standards.

Your character is also assessed to make sure you can conduct your profession responsibly and effectively - for example, being honest with clients and the governing body. It can also include behaviour in your private life that might affect the reputation of your profession or industry.

Some regulatory bodies, such those governing medical professions, also require good health for Fitness to Practice.

Each governing body publishes codes of conduct that its members must follow for Fitness to Practice. If they don’t, they could face regulatory investigations or disciplinary proceedings.