Professional discipline & regulation solicitors

Our professional discipline experience

Our team of professional discipline lawyers regularly defend clients before a number of regulators and professional bodies. These include the following:

• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• The General Dental Council (GDC)
• The General Medical Council (GMC)
• The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA)
• The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
• The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)
• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• The General Chiropractic Council (GCC)

Facing investigation?

If you have been notified that you are under investigation by your regulator or professional body, you should seek specialist legal advice in order to protect your interests and safeguard your practice. We can advise you on the professional implications of the matters being investigated and what response ought to be made to your regulator. Where appropriate, we will seek to conclude matters as soon as possible, either through detailed responses during investigations or resolving cases by consent. If you are ultimately referred to a conduct hearing, we will advise you on the appropriate defence strategy and provide effective representation.

Our professional discipline services

Our lawyers regularly deal with all aspects of professional regulation and can assist you with the following matters:

• Advice on regulatory compliance;
• Assisting with applications for registration and authorisation;
• Preparing notifications to regulators and professional bodies regarding reportable events;
• Advising clients under investigation, including assisting with disclosure of information, preparing written responses and attending meetings;
• Interim orders;
• Consent orders;
• Professional conduct and fitness to practice hearings;
• Appeals against decisions.

For a confidential discussion with a member of our professional discipline team, please contact us on 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form. 

Legal 500

"Stephensons Solicitors LLP’s regulatory team is known for its defence work across various sectors, including accountancy, healthcare, education, financial services, and legal services. The group advises both professionals and organisations facing action brought by their regulatory bodies, with an active portfolio of appellate work and extensive experience in disciplinary and registration appeals. Carl Johnson leads the group and is well-regarded for his work in the healthcare, accountancy, and legal services. Laura Hannah is noted for her work in the healthcare sector, with a particular emphasis on defending care providers facing regulatory action brought by the Care Quality Commission."

‘The service they provide to the client is genuinely excellent. They work collaboratively with counsel to ensure that the client benefits from high-quality case preparation.’

‘The team are experts in this area and always go above and beyond for clients. They exude professionalism and give pragmatic, highly effective advice and support to clients.' - 2026

"Stephensons Solicitors LLP‘s ’first-rate team‘ is best known for defence-side work in the accountancy, healthcare, education, financial services and legal services sectors. The 11-strong team acts for professionals in cases brought by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, GMC, GDC, GPhC, and the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries. The Wigan-based regulatory department is led by Carl Johnson, who is ’a true veteran of fitness to practice proceedings’; and Laura Hannah is a healthcare sector specialist. At senior associate level, Chloe Parish is developing a niche practice in pharmacy matters."

‘A first-rate team with extremely competent support staff.’

‘A complementary range of legal and people skills that enable them to give individual clients the lawyer that understands their needs and reacts best to them.’ - 2025