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Regulatory defence lawyers

Stephensons has a team of specialist regulatory lawyers who act for commercial and professional clients across a number of sectors including education, financial services, healthcare, professional services, social care and transport and logistics.

Our team acts for clients across the UK and internationally and a number of our lawyers are recommended in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. We work closely with a number of insurers and the firm’s commercial teams to provide specialist regulatory legal advice and representation to a wide range of regulated businesses and individuals.

Our experience

Our regulatory solicitors have extensive experience of advising clients facing enforcement action by regulators, defending clients facing disciplinary hearings and advising clients facing criminal investigations. We understand that the prospect of regulatory action can have serious implications for the survival of a business or for a professional’s practice and we recognise the need for urgent, specialist advice from expert lawyers.

To speak to a member of our team, in confidence, please call 0161 696 6250. Alternatively please submit our online enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you urgently.

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What is regulatory law?

Regulatory law is essentially any legislation that affects any aspect of a business. There could be industry-specific laws, such as product safety standards, or more general legislation that applies to every business or organisation e.g. health and safety guidelines.

As experienced regulatory law solicitors, we can help businesses wanting to ensure they are fully compliant, along with businesses dealing with potential breaches and possible enforcement action by the authorities responsible for overseeing that specific area of regulation.

Our regulatory & compliance services

At Stephensons, our regulatory solicitors offer a full range of services designed to support businesses in navigating complex regulatory landscapes. We assist clients in understanding applicable regulations, ensuring compliance across operations, and defending against regulatory investigations. Our services include:

  • Identifying regulatory requirements for your business and employees
  • Managing regulatory investigations, audits, and disciplinary hearings
  • Preparing for regulatory interviews and addressing fitness-to-practice concerns

Whether addressing a single regulatory need or providing ongoing support, Stephensons offers pragmatic guidance to safeguard your business and reputation.

Why choose Stephensons Solicitors LLP?

Stephensons Solicitors LLP is a leading national law firm celebrated for its commitment to regulatory law and other practice areas, backed by accreditations and industry-recognised accolades. Our regulatory lawyers are consistently ranked highly in The Legal 500, achieving Tier 1 status in crime and fraud law for a decade. This ranking reflects our dedication to top-quality legal service, driven by the commitment and expertise of our team. With a deep understanding of regulatory disputes and regulatory legal advice, we work proactively to safeguard clients’ interests in even the most complex regulatory issues.

Stephensons is also a holder of the prestigious Lexcel accreditation, a mark of excellence from the Law Society, awarded to firms meeting high standards in client care and practice management. This dedication is evident through our investment in staff development and our established learning hub, both of which enable our regulatory solicitors to deliver informed, innovative legal strategies. Additionally, we’re proud of our Chambers & Partners Band 1 ranking, a testament to our commitment to excellence across all areas of practice.

Our regulatory solicitors provide expertise across a wide spectrum, from professional discipline and compliance matters to handling complex regulatory disputes. At every step, we offer personalised regulatory legal advice designed to meet the distinct needs of each client, ensuring efficient, practical solutions with clarity and insight. Trust Stephensons for regulatory legal support built on a foundation of industry accolades, in-depth expertise, and an unwavering commitment to client success.

Our expertise with UK regulatory bodies

Stephensons assists clients in navigating the demands of key UK regulatory bodies across a range of industries. We offer specialist support for:

  • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): ensuring compliance for financial services and investment firms
  • Health & Safety Executive (HSE): advising on workplace safety standards and compliance
  • Care Quality Commission (CQC): assisting healthcare and social care providers in meeting operational standards
  • Office of Standards in Education (Ofsted): supporting educational organisations in regulatory reviews and inspections
  • Environment Agency (EA): guiding clients in environmental compliance and waste management
  • General Medical Council (GMC) General Dental Council (GDC) & General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC): advising healthcare professionals on fitness-to-practice matters
  • Charity Commission: governance and regulatory compliance for charities
  • Food Standards Agency (FSA): food safety and hygiene compliance for producers and distributors
  • Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): data protection and GDPR compliance
  • Local authorities: compliance with trading standards, environmental health, and licensing regulations

Our team is experienced in managing interactions, reporting, and investigations with these and other regulatory bodies, offering the proactive legal support required to safeguard compliance and mitigate risk.

Our regulatory law team

Our regulatory law team at Stephensons Solicitors LLP includes a diverse range of experienced partners, senior associates, associates, and solicitors who bring expertise and dedication to each case. Led by acclaimed practitioners, including partners recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, the team handles a full spectrum of regulatory matters with precision. This includes regulatory compliance, risk management, professional discipline, and complex regulatory disputes. With senior associates skilled in areas such as health and safety, environmental compliance, and public sector regulation, and associates well-versed in both contentious and non-contentious issues, our team offers exceptional depth of knowledge. 

Our expertise and the sectors we work in

At Stephensons, our regulatory solicitors specialise in providing comprehensive regulatory legal advice and defence across a broad range of sectors. With expertise in managing complex regulatory investigations, our team supports clients operating in high-stakes environments such as health and safety, environmental compliance, and trading standards. We work closely with organisations in sectors including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and the public sector, where compliance with rigorous regulatory standards is essential.

Our regulatory lawyers are experienced in defending against investigations by regulatory bodies, including the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Care Quality Commission (CQC)Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Environmental Agency (EA), and local authorities, providing robust strategies tailored to each client’s specific needs.

Whether you’re facing potential sanctions, require support in policy and procedure development, or need ongoing regulatory legal advice, our team delivers strategic, proactive solutions to safeguard your business. We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients operate confidently within the legal frameworks of their industries, minimising risk and maintaining compliance standards at every level.

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Regulatory defence - staff reorder

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