Professional Discipline

Acting in professional disciplinary matters is a core part of our work.

We regularly help clients to navigate the continually developing regulatory landscape through our advisory work and we also support them through contentious proceedings and investigations.

Our work extends to a variety of professionals and regulated entities including legal professionals (such as solicitors, barristers and law firms), medical professionals, architects, accountants and auditors. We have a particular focus on the legal and financial services sectors and many of our members have acted – often alongside and/or against one another – in major cases in these sectors.

Our work includes advising on sensitive matters including in relation to sexual misconduct and MeToo-related issues, and in matters where professionals are accused of acting dishonestly or in relation to issues such as conflicts of interest. Much of our work is highly confidential although, where the matters are in the public domain, they are very often high-profile and attract significant press attention.

We are regularly called upon to advise on regulatory and disciplinary issues that arise as a result of high-profile company collapses including the likes of MG Rover, Carillion and Silentnight.

Our members receive instructions from both the regulators – such as the Financial Conduct Authority, the Financial Reporting Council, the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board – and regulated entities / firms and individuals.

Many of our members have held, and continue to hold, important roles in the wider industry including within the Association of Disciplinary and Regulatory Lawyers, the Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board.

In 2019, 2021 and 2022, Fountain Court was awarded ‘Professional Discipline Set of the Year’ at the Chambers Bar Awards.

Our work includes cases relating to:

• Legal professionals or entities including solicitors, barristers and law firms
• Financial services professionals including accountants, auditors and financial advisors
• Property and construction professionals
• Medical professionals
• Insurance professionals
• Insolvency practitioners
• Other professionals such as mortgage advisors and IT and technology professionals