Nine Chambers has a wealth of experience in these specialist areas of law, with members ranked in the leading directories for both health and safety work and professional discipline.
We provide initial advice, support and representation for clients in a way that is accessible, convenient and helpful to them, from first instructions right through to any subsequent hearings. The Group represent clients at all levels in regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, from first instance tribunals through to High Court s40 appeals.
The Group is well balanced in terms of both prosecuting and defending serious and technically complicated health and safety cases, including corporate manslaughter trials. In the field of professional discipline, the Group has a strong reputation in prosecuting healthcare disciplinary proceedings, particularly on behalf of the GMC before Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service Tribunals and in representing Police Forces and Police Officers in Police Misconduct proceedings. Members are regularly instructed in high profile and lengthy Fitness to Practise Tribunals on behalf of the GMC, involving serious clinical and personal misconduct, patient fatalities and deficient performance. Group members provide regular training on legal developments to in-house lawyers and specialist performance assessors.
Our breadth of expertise in regulatory work covers the full spectrum of health and safety legislation, environmental enforcement, appealing prohibition and improvement notices, cases involving complex financial sentencing considerations, appeals and administrative review. Members of the team have an excellent understanding and current experience of a broad spectrum of enforceable undertakings including in the areas of construction, manufacturing, railways, retail, restaurants, motor vehicles and, in particular, residential care and nursing homes. Clients include the HSE, CPS Special Casework directorate, NHS Trusts, Government departments, Local Authorities, corporate clients and private individuals.
Members of the team are able to provide telephone advice and support in the immediate aftermath of a serious incident, to enable clients to prepare for interviews with the police or HSE, and any consequent regulatory enforcement action. The Group is also proactive in developing non-contentious work, advising clients – both individually and through regular in-house seminars – on developments in the law and necessary adaptations to safety systems or structures in order to comply with changes in the law. Members also represent corporate and private clients, and government departments, in related Inquest, Appeals and Administrative Review proceedings.
