This episode is hosted by Marianne Butler and explores the lessons learnt from defending the most significant cases in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in recent years. Taking part in the conversation are:

Timothy Dutton CBE KC: A senior silk at Fountain Court who advises and has acted in many of the most prominent and complex professional discipline in the field. He is ranked in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 as a leading silk and a Star Individual in Professional Discipline respectively. He is described in the directories as “The King of Law Society Regulatory Work”.

Patricia Robertson KC: A senior silk at Fountain Court who frequently appears in high profile disciplinary cases before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and regularly advises magic circle firms and major national firms on compliance and on handling Solicitor Regulation Authority investigations. She is ranked in in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for her work in Professional Discipline.

Richard Coleman KC: A silk at Fountain Court who has substantial experience of disciplinary proceedings and investigations in relation to the financial services industry and the legal profession and is regularly instructed in matters involving the Financial Conduct Authority, the Financial Reporting Council, the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is ranked in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for Professional Discipline.

Fergal Cathie: A partner at Clyde & Co who has a particular focus on complex disputes and regulatory investigations involving legal professionals. He has acted in some of the most sensitive and high-profile regulatory investigations and disciplinary cases, advising law firms and individuals on professional conduct issues, including their regulatory exposures and reporting obligations. Fergal is ranked in Chambers & Partners for professional discipline and has previously been listed among The Lawyer’s ‘Hot 100’.

Michael Stacey: A partner at Russell-Cooke who has a particular specialism in regulatory and public law matters. He acts for regulators, businesses, charities and private clients in regulatory investigations, disciplinary proceedings, judicial reviews, professional liability disputes and other regulatory litigation. Michael is ranked in Chambers & Partners for professional discipline and as a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500.

Iain Miller: A partner at Kingsley Napley who specialises in legal ethics, investigations and public law matters. Acting in many of the leading cases relating to the regulation of lawyers in England and Wales, he has advised a number of large law firms on Solicitors Regulation Authority related issues. Iain is ranked in The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame and Chambers & Partners for professional discipline.

In part one of this episode, our speakers discuss Solicitors Regulatory Authority investigations, focusing in particular on the human cost of the process, the importance of co-operation from the outset and how to manage clients’ expectations as well as issues of privilege, amongst other matters.

The second part of this discussion will follow in due course and focuses on SDT proceedings.

For more information about Fountain Court’s professional discipline practice, please see here.