Regulation and public law
Understanding regulatory and public law
Expert regulatory and public law representation for high-stakes matters
Our recognised specialist regulation and public law team acts in a variety of regulatory contexts and have extensive experience in disciplinary proceedings, regulatory litigation and public law challenges, including judicial reviews in both regulatory matters and more broadly.
We act for individuals, businesses, public bodies and charities.
These issues are usually high stakes, concern matters of wider public interest and involve reputational risk. We have the expertise and resources to handle long and complex contested matters, including investigations by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and HM Revenue and Customs. We have substantial expertise in advising on public inquiries and other high-profile investigations.
The team has built up an unrivalled body of expertise on bringing successful private prosecutions. We have successfully argued the law surrounding privately brought prosecutions in appeal and judicial review hearings. We have acted for a range of regulatory bodies (including the SRA and Architects Registration Board) looking to protect the rights of their members and the public interest through protection of title and ‘holding out’ statutory offences and also Fraud Act 2006 offences.
Disciplinary proceedings
We routinely advise regulated professionals including doctors, paramedics, nurses, social workers, teachers, solicitors, barristers and accountants...
Public inquiries
We have a wealth of experience including advising those who are establishing and conducting public inquiries, and representing individuals and organisations...
Public law
Our public law specialists offer expert, cost effective legal advice tailored to meet your specific requirements...
Regulators
Our experienced team has the proven ability to advise on the diverse breadth of issues which your organisation and senior leadership team may face...
How our regulation and public law solicitors can help you
Our leading regulation and public law team offers expert legal advice tailored to meet your specific objectives. We work as part of a multi-disciplinary full service firm and are able to draw on a wide range of expertise as required.
Our track record speaks for itself. We have acted for regulators and professional bodies for decades across a wide range of sectors, including legal and financial services, and health and social care.
We have a strong defence practice, advising major businesses and public bodies as well as individual professionals on regulatory issues, including the investigation of allegations of misconduct. We have also acted for clients involved in some of the most high profile recent public inquiries, including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, UK Covid-19 Inquiry and the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Our clients include a number of City and national law and accountancy firms, and we have represented over 40 sets of barristers’ chambers. We represent teachers, doctors, social workers, opticians, other health and social care professionals and other regulated professionals, in connection with all aspects of professional regulation. We also advise charity trustees on their regulatory responsibilities.
Our wider sector experience includes education, sport, retail, transport and infrastructure.
Our strength and depth of regulatory expertise extends to environmental regulation, including statutory nuisance claims.
We advise on the most serious issues, cases with an international element and those with a high level of public and media interest requiring careful management of reputational risk.
Equality and human rights
Our experts recognise that issues relating to human rights and civil liberties can arise anywhere and at any time...
Investigations and crisis management
We understand the impact and disruption an investigation can cause, including being a significant drain on resources, both financially...
Judicial review
Our incisive, agile and responsive judicial review specialists are able to act promptly, within the tight time-limits imposed for these claims...
Private prosecutions and investigations
We offer practical, cost-effective, high-quality advice, drawing on our expertise in bringing private prosecutions...
One of the pioneers of professional discipline, Russell-Cooke has dominated the field for many years.
Our approach to regulation and public law
Our experienced team can support you at all stages of a matter, from advising on compliance breaches, reporting obligations, conducting investigations and evidence gathering to prosecuting and defending actions by regulators and others.
We represent clients in disciplinary and fitness to practise hearings, tribunals, the Administrative Court and Court of Appeal and our team includes those holding advocacy rights, enabling us to provide advocates and presenting officers.
We have successfully negotiated agreed outcomes and regulatory settlement agreements for our clients. We increasingly act for clients in matters involving issues of discrimination, including challenges under the relevant Equality and Human Rights legislation.
We advise in respect of corporate governance structures, royal charters and the drafting of regulations, codes and rules. We advise senior executives, boards, committees and trustees, acting as a ‘critical friend’ on issues of governance, procedural matters, corporate investigations, reputational risk and crisis management.
Environmental law
We have a long-standing reputation for excellence. Frequently handling high profile challenges including complex judicial reviews and statutory appeals, we are...
Regulatory investigations
We act for the Solicitors Regulatory Authority in proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and in appeals...
Get in touch
If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our regulation and public law solicitors by email, by telephone on +44 (0)20 3826 7524 or complete our enquiry form.
Get to know our regulation and public law team
Get in touch with one of our solicitors
A broad base of experience, prosecuting and defending in front of a wealth of different regulators (and sports bodies), and with the nous and experience to transition seamlessly if the matters become criminal or there are civil proceedings that spin off.
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