Russell Cooke Putney London 2

About Michael

I help individuals, businesses, regulators and charities to achieve their objectives by navigating complex legal issues and managing legal risk. I enjoy getting to know my clients and supporting them through what can be difficult times with the potential for reputational harm. I identify the crux of the issue that my client faces and then focus on achieving a practical solution.

Michael specialises in regulatory and public law, and disputes involving professional practice.

Michael acts for regulators, businesses, charities and private clients in relation to:

  • regulatory investigations
  • complex disciplinary proceedings (including statutory appeals)
  • judicial reviews
  • professional liability disputes
  • charity disputes
  • data protection and privacy disputes

In addition to his contentious practice, Michael advises on:

  • the exercise of statutory powers, drafting procedures and rules, and sustainable public law decision making
  • business structures for professionals
  • regulatory compliance

Michael's advice is informed by his broad experience in public policy at the Ministry of Justice and Legal Services Board.

Michael has a particularly strong reputation for his experience in legal services regulation, having acted for both regulators and firms and individuals subject to investigation/disciplinary proceedings. Recent examples include sexual misconduct allegations and alleged breaches of anti-money laundering regulations.

Michael also advises on the regulation of accountants, architects, teachers, financial services professionals, healthcare professionals and charity trustees.

He brings and defends judicial reviews, including policy issues affecting the charity sector and in the regulatory context. He has brought public procurement challenges on behalf of charity and commercial clients.

Michael is experienced in advising clients who are required to give evidence to public inquiries (including the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Infected Blood Inquiry).

He has also advised on financial mis-selling, pensions administration and unauthorised payments/cyber fraud cases.

Michael is all over the details of every case and has a clear vision for focusing on the important points without losing sight of the details as well.
Chambers UK (2025)

Notable cases

  • Baines & others v. Dixon Coles & Gill [2021] EWCA Civ 1211: acting for the SRA as intervener in a case concerning the aggregation of claims against solicitors arising from misappropriations of client money
  • R (Authentic Equity Alliance CIC) v. Commission for Equality and Human Rights [2021] EWHC 1623 (Admin): acting for the claimant in a judicial review concerning the EHRC’s guidance on the Equality Act 2010 provisions in relation to separate or single sex services
  • Solicitor Z: acting for the Respondent to disciplinary proceedings by the SRA in seeking summary dismissal of the allegations or alternatively a permanent stay on health grounds
  • R (Bus & Coach Association) v Secretary of State for Transport [2019] EWHC 3319 (Admin): acting for interested parties in a judicial review posing an existential threat to the community transport sector
  • Wingate v. Solicitors Regulation Authority [2018] EWCA Civ 366: acting for the SRA in the leading case concerning the concept of a lack of integrity for professionals and the distinction between a lack of integrity and dishonesty
Michael Stacey is an incredibly astute, diligent lawyer - recommended to anyone.
The Legal 500 (2025)

Memberships

  • Member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
  • Member of the London Solicitors Litigation Association
He has the advantage of being really excellent; he knows everything about professional discipline and has really good judgement.
Chambers UK (2025)

Publications

  • Contributor to The Law of Legal Services and Practice (Lexis Nexis)
  • Lead author of the first two chapters covering the Regulatory Framework and Authorisation

Awards and accreditations

Michael's highlights

News

11.07.2024

Russell-Cooke continues to strengthen market-leading regulatory offering

Law firm Russell-Cooke has expanded its Regulation and Public Law practice to provide clients access to a newly enhanced offering...
Alix Rejman Michael Stacey, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, dispute resolution team. Jeremy Phillips KC, a consultant in the Russell-Cooke Regulation and Public Law team.
Multiple Authors
2 min Read
Alix Rejman, Michael Stacey, Jeremy Phillips KC
News

06.06.2024

Litigation: toeing the line—Solicitors Journal

Senior partner John Gould and partner Michael Stacey have contributed an article to Solicitors Journal discussing the challenge litigators face in balancing competing...
John Gould, Senior partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, regulation and compliance team. Michael Stacey, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, dispute resolution team.
Multiple Authors
1 min Read
John Gould, Michael Stacey
News

30.01.2024

Lessons from the Post Office and Covid Inquiry—how recent scandals highlight disclosure issues in litigation

Recent scandals involving the Post Office and the Government’s response to Covid have thrown disclosure issues into sharp focus.  Partner...
Michael Stacey, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, dispute resolution team. Alix Rejman Hebe Robinson, Trainee in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, dispute resolution team.
Multiple Authors
6 min Read
Michael Stacey, Alix Rejman, Hebe Robinson
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