3PB

Public and Regulatory; Professional Discipline; Marine and Fisheries Law; Trading Standards; Health and Safety; Inquests.

Overview

Sunyana Sharma is an inquest and professional discipline barrister with specialist knowledge in maritime and fishing law and health and safety law. She also has experience in regulatory compliance.

Sunyana sits as an Assistant Coroner for Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth and as a Deputy District Judge in Civil and Family law. To read more about Sunyana’s relevant expertise, please see her specialist inquests profile.

Prior to joining Chambers, Sunyana worked for the Solicitor International Human Right’s Group (‘SIHRG’) with whom she organised the Zimbabwe Fundraising Event called 'Protecting Lawyers in Zimbabwe' in collaboration with the Bar Human Rights Committee. She also worked as part of a team in researching and drafting legal submissions on the rule of law and the importance of an impartial tribunal following the suspension of the Chief Justice of Pakistan in March 2007. In addition, she undertook an internship with the criminal justice department of 'JUSTICE', the all party law reform and human rights organisation. She assisted with the research on policy papers commissioned by JUSTICE, which included changes to the rape in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and responses to the Home Office paper on 'New powers against organised and financial crime’.

Reported Cases

[2010] EWCA Crim 109; [2011] 1 Cr App R (S) 36: The Court considered whether exceptional circumstances exist justifying the court in not imposing the required minimum sentence for the possession of firearms.

Publications

Sunyana has written for a number of publications on topics such as inquests, public law and life at the Bar. These articles include:

• “Kids, Court and Caffeine…How to survive having a baby at the Bar” (The Barrister, 2023)
• “The influence of Coroners—what impact do prevention of future deaths reports have in practice?” (LexisNexis, 2021)
• “Fisheries Act 2020–snapshot”, in collaboration with Dr Tagbo Ilozue (LexisNexis, 2021)
• “Secondments – worth a second thought” (Counsel Magazine, 2020)
• "BarNone: changing the face of justice", in collaboration with Anjali Gohil (Counsel Magazine, 2020)
• "Breaking moulds" (Counsel Magazine, 2020)

Public and Regulatory

Sunyana Sharma is a busy inquest and professional disciplinary specialist with significant expertise in the health and safety, maritime and fisheries sectors.  She also regularly advises and appears in CQC, DBS and OFSTED appeals.  She has was previously appointed to the C list of Regulatory Advocates for the Health and Safety Executive, Office of Rail Regulation and the Environment Agency.  She has both defended and prosecuted in various regulatory law matters, which have included collisions at sea, fisheries offences, breaches of a health and safety regulations, animal welfare and trading standards prosecutions. Furthermore, she regularly appears before various disciplinary tribunals and care and education standards tribunal.

Sunyana is regularly invited to speak on coronial law, professional discipline and regulatory matters to solicitors, colleagues and industry experts.

Secondments 

Sunyana has undertaken the following secondments in the field of healthcare and financial regulation and health and safety:

• 10 month secondment with investigations team for the Financial Conduct Authority working on two dual tracked investigations into two major global bank.
• 13 month secondment with National Grid PLC as Specialist Health, Safety and Environment In house Counsel.
• Ad Hoc secondment with the GCC to advise on cases.
• Six month secondment as a case presenter to the NMC dealing with a variety of misconduct and lack of competence cases (NMC).
• Assisted the public and regulatory team on advising the Nursing and Midwifery Council (‘NMC’) on ‘fitness to practise’ cases under the NMC ‘Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives’, ‘Standards for Medicines Management’ and Guidance on ‘Recordkeeping’ for nurses and midwives (Blake Morgan and Fieldfisher Waterhouse).

Professional discipline and regulatory law

Sunyana Sharma has developed a strong practice in professional disciplinary regulation following secondments as a case presenter at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (‘NMC’) and in house lawyer at the General Chiropractic Council (‘GCC’). She appears regularly in various healthcare tribunals which includes the NMC, GCC, Health and Care Professions Council (‘HCPC’), Medical Practitioner’s Tribunal Service (‘MPTS’), General Optical Council (‘GOC’), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (‘BACP’) and General Dental Council ‘GDC’ for substantive misconduct and health hearings, interim order applications and substantive order reviews.  In addition, she is regularly instructed by nursing, care homes and GP Surgery’s appealing CQC decisions before the First Tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber).

Having developed an in depth and robust understanding of the ‘fitness to practise’ regime, she takes instruction in all professional disciplinary cases.

Sunyana was seconded to the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) from 2019 to 2020 to assist in two high profile dual tracked investigations into systemic failures by two major global banks.

Recent Cases

HCPC v. x (2023): Instructed to represent practical psychologist for plagiarism allegations in a PhD thesis.

NMC v. x (2023): Represented a nurse in an interim order hearing for being charged with gross manslaughter and misconduct allegations in which responsible nurse failed to attach monitoring equipment of a child with co-morbidities and sleep apnoea, which caused and/or contributed to patient’s death.

GPhC v. PP (2022): Advised a pharmacy group for potential allegations in relation to staff at the pharmacy being unqualified and large volumes of Phenergan and Codeine Linctus going missing during COVID-19 lockdown. Pharmacy unable to account for missing medication.

BACP v. SE (2022): Representing a counsellor for misconduct allegations for conducting a joint counselling sessions for a couple with instance of domestic violence. Expert instructed to show the changing clinical approach to counselling sessions in domestic violence cases where joint sessions were permissible in certain circumstances.

GDC v. MB (2022): Instructed to represent a Harley Street dentist in 14-day misconduct case in respect of inadequate care given to five patients and inappropriate offensive communication with a sixth patient.  Complexities in the case included the instruction of an expert due to the technical nature of the implants provided, further disciplinary findings that the Committee were made aware of at the later stages of the proceedings and representing a challenging client with mental health issues.

GDC v. x (2021): representing CDT for multiple allegations relating to working out of scope, breach of an interim order and various dishonesty allegations.

BACP v. x (2021): Representing a counsellor for misconduct allegations in relation to joint counselling sessions for a couple with a history of domestic violence.

GMC v. x (2020): Instructed to represent a consultant anaesthetist for incorrect and dangerous intubation pre-surgery of two patients leading to near deaths.

GDC v. SK (2020): Successfully represented a dentist in an IO hearing who faced allegations of sexual abuse.

CQC v. YSL (2020): Successfully represented care home in an appeal to cancel its registration before the First Tier Tribunal (Care Standards).

Human Givens Institute v. LM (2019): Advised an integrative therapist specialising in mental and emotional health on an appeal of the decision of the Human Givens Institute for practising out of scope.

NMC v. RP (2018): Represented a nurse for a number of failings in which he was blamed for the death of a patient. Following the week’s substantive hearing none of the allegations were found proved.

GMC v. x (2017): Represented a Doctor for carrying out medical practise whilst not holding a licence to practise.

HCPC v. KC (2017): Represented a social worker for receiving a caution for disclosing sexual photographs of his ex partner.

GOC v. AP (2016): Represented an optician for over 50 misconduct allegations relating to the adequacy of sight testing, the fitting of contact lenses, record keeping and dishonesty for a patient with keratoconus.

NMC v. JN (2015): Instructed to advise a registrant on an appeal to the High Court relating to a Substantive Order determination on dishonesty.

NMC v. PN (2015): Represented the NMC at a misconduct substantive hearing in which the registrant was undertaking shift work when signed off sick and working excessive hours, including a continuous 37 hour shift.

GDC v. IK (2014): Instructed to represent a dental technician for acting outside his scope of practice.

NMC v. KA-A (2014): Successfully represented the NMC for a 9 day substantive misconduct hearing against two nurses for restraining a vulnerable dementia patient to a hospital bed with a bedsheet and cable ties.

NMC v. AA (2014): Represented the NMC for dishonesty allegations against the Registrant who had produced and provided false references to an NHS Trust to obtain a Band 5 Nursing post. The five day substantive hearing resulted in the Nurse being struck off.

GCC v. X (2014): Represented the GCC for a substantive order review hearing of a Chiropractor who had been convicted of acts of voyeurism.

GCC v. EJ (2013): Successfully represented EJ in a four day substantive hearing for allegations of unacceptable professional conduct relating to a sexual relationship with a patient, confidentiality breaches and dishonesty.

GOC v. AP (2012): Appeared on behalf of a student optician for dishonesty allegations.

Marine and Fisheries Law

As a criminal and regulatory specialist, Sunyana has developed expertise that focuses on the maritime and fisheries sector.  She regularly prosecutes, defends and advises in actions brought by the Maritime Coastguard Agency (‘MCA’).  She has also defended a number of cases prosecuted by the Marine Management Organisation (‘MMO’).  Her cases have included:

• Collisions at sea
• Health and safety breaches
• Pollution offences
• Illegal fishing
• Registration and technical failures.

Her clients include: masters, owners, charterers, operators, harbour authorities and the MCA.

Recent cases

Inquest touching deaths of M, J & P (2023): Representing HM Coastguard Agency in three joint inquests following drownings that occurred during the relaxation of COVID pandemic lockdown. PFD concerns raised on the management of beach safety prior to the inquest.

Inquest touching the deaths of YMG & PLF (2021): Represented HMCG in 10 day Judge led inquest which inquired into the drowning of two fisherman following the sinking of the French fishing vessel, the Bugaled Breizh in January 2004.  The inquest considered the structural safety of the vessel, adequacy of training and equipment, the possible causes of the sinking including the involvement of another vessel or submarine and the adequacy of the search and rescue of the fishermen.

R v. SG (2020): Represented a Maritime Operations Officer (‘MOO’) for their involvement in a search and rescue operation following a person in the water at New Brighton who subsequently died. Although police investigation into gross negligence manslaughter allegations against MOO, early involvement in case led to client not being arrested or charged.

MCA v. SYA Ltd & RA and MCA v. KD (2020): Represented MCA in two cases for sailing a yacht without having in force a valid small code certificate for the vessel.  Technical issues raised relating to the applicability ‘Blue Code’ and MGN 280.

R v. DW & LB Ltd (2019): Representing the MCA in a double collision on the River Thames causing damage in excess of half a million pounds.

R v. DR (2019): Representing the MCA following a collision of a high speed tour boat with a buoy on the River Thames causing injury to passengers.

Inquest touching the death of NW (2018): Represented HM Coastguard Service for the MCA following a death at sea in which article 2 issues were raised following a complaint by SECAMB.

R v. F & Others (2016)
Represented the owners of a Fishing Company on a high profile three handed fisheries matter in the Falkland Islands for breaches of ss. 167 and 168 of the Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2005 and Regulation 61 of the Fishing Regulations Order 1987 for failing to report £184,038 of hake.  Avoided a conviction of the s.168 offence which would have lead to the forfeiture of the owner’s vessel, which has been valued at £1.5million.

MCA v. Michael Stimson (2015)
Successfully prosecuted a fisherman on behalf of the MCA for harvesting shellfish from a prohibited area of Southampton Waters contrary to Regulation 19(1) of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, failing to display navigation lights at night pursuant to the rule 23 of the COLREGs, displaying the Port of Registry and Fishing Numbers on his vessel despite his vessel being unregistered for a period of 2 years, contrary to s.15(3) and (5) of The Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

MMO v. Westminster Dredging Company Ltd (2015)
Represented a multi national Company for breaching s.65 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 in that it deposited dredging material in an area outside the area designated within the licence at HMNB Devonport on 31 occasions.

MCA v. Geradus Chapel (2014)
Instructed to advise the Master of a dredger for offences under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 following a collision that led to a fatality.

MCA v. Richard Pease (2014)
Successfully prosecuted a hovercraft driver who was almost 3 x over the legal limit in alcohol whilst under passage between Southsea, Hampshire & Ryde, Isle of Wight under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

MCA v. NJ (2014)
Successfully defended the driver of a rib for breaches of The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996, following a collision on the Cardiff Bay.

MCA v. The Beauchamp Lodge Settlement (2014)
Prosecuted on behalf of the MCA a charity company which had failed to operate a passenger vessel with a valid passenger certificate as required under The Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 1995.

MMO v. Saltire Seafoods Ltd (2013)
Represented a Fishing Company for dredging £12,500 worth of undersized scallops, a regulatory offence pursuant to The Scallop Fishing (England) Order 2012 and The Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967.

MCA v. Generic Enterprises Ltd (2012)
Represented Owners of a Spanish Vessel for breaches under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1997 for Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels.

MCA v. Captain Koningstein (2012)
Represented the Master of a vessel who was involved in a collision with another vessel on the Thames Barrier for offences contrary to The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996.

Health and safety law

Health and Safety Sunyana Sharma has appeared for both the prosecution and defence in a number of health and safety cases in various tribunals and courts.  She was previously appointed to the C list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates for The Health & Safety Executive, Environment Agency and Office of Rail Regulation.  Between 2017 and 2018, Sunyana was contracted to work as In House Counsel for National Grid PLC in Health, Safety and Environment. She was therefore exposed to various health, safety and environmental issues in the Electricity and Gas Industry.  Her work extends to representing both local authorities as well as Companies and individuals.  She has expertise in the following:

• Electricity and Gas safety
• Food safety
• Unsafe products
• Accidents at work
• Accidents and collisions at sea
• Environmental and pollution offences
• Housing Act 2004 breaches
• Animal Welfare Act offences

Recent cases

HSE v. EBM (2023): Instructed to represent a managing agent following asbestos exposure at a residential block of flats.

Inquest touching death of TR (2022): Represented care home following death of young man with Dystrophia myotonica where alleged care home failed to mitigate against the risk of falls ultimately leading to death.

CQC v. P (2021): Represented a care home and its owner following the tragic death of resident who fell from an external staircase that should not have been accessible.  Following written response to CQC, no charges brought under Regulation 12(1) and 22 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

HSE v. L (2021): represented Company for offence under regulation 4(1) of the Work at Heights Regulations 2005 following fall from height during a barn conversion project leading to life changing injuries.

R v. SG (2020): Represented a Maritime Operations Officer (‘MOO’) for their involvement in a search and rescue operation following a person in the water at New Brighton who subsequently died. Although police investigation into gross negligence manslaughter allegations against MOO, early involvement in case led to client not being arrested or charged.

WAL & LY v. LB of Camden (2020): Acted for Appellants in an appeal against final notices to impose civil penalties for failing to license and HMO.

National Grid PLC and National Grid Gas PLC (‘NGG’) (2017 to 2018):

• Advised on various HSE investigations, prosecutions, improvement notices
• Advised on amendments to the NGG Gas Safety Case including interpretation of duties in respect of Meters on the Network
• Advised a Control of Major Accidents Hazard site on improving health and safety arrangements for the distribution network operators on site maintaining their own assets
• Involved in meetings and discussions on industry led changes to the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996
• Advised on the regulatory compliance of major assets e.g. The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015
• Led the team to update policy in relation to employees travelling overseas
• Responded to ‘Environmental Information Regulations 2004’ requests

Inquest touching the death of RS (2016): Represented an employee as an interested party at a three day jury inquest into the death of a colleague whilst at work following a fall through a Perspex roof on his employer’s premises.

Buckinghamshire County Council v. B Ltd & PD (2015): Represented a Company and its Director for producing and supplying an ‘unsafe product’ known as the ‘Nutkins cot bed’, attempting to pervert the course of justice and breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.  This was a high profile case which featured on the BBC’s ‘The One Show’ due to the near death of a child.

London Borough of Islington v. C Carnavale Ltd & Others (2015): Drafted in at the last hour to represent a Company in a complex application to dismiss for offences pursuant to regulation 4 of the General Food Regulations 2004 as enabled by the Food Safety Act 1990 relating to the traceability requirement and an offence contrary to the regulation 19(1) and 19(2) of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 in respect of the processing of raw cow’s milk.

R v. SJ Norman (2015): Represented the Crown in prosecuting a slaughter house for failing to take a stem cell sample from a bovine contrary to regulation 5(a) and paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 2, Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (England) Regulations 2010.

Ealing Borough Council v. MMC Ltd (2014): Instructed in advising a Company and its management on a local authority prosecution in relation to hygiene offences and emergency prohibition order breaches under the Food Safety Act 1990 of its restaurant.

South Weald Inns Ltd v. Brentwood Borough Council (2012): Represented South Weald Inns Ltd in an appeal of a noise abatement notice pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Health and Safety Executive v. MB Facilities Ltd (2012): Represented the Defendant Company for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Work at Height Regulations 2005 arising from the fall of an employee whilst working at height.

Slough Borough Council v. Bellforce Developments Ltd, Gurpartap Singh Bhullar, and Jagdeep Singh Bhullar (2012): Successfully prosecuted 3 Defendants in a 9 day appeal to the Crown Court for a local authority for breaches of s.234 and s.72 of the Housing Act 2004.

South Oxfordshire District Council v. Doris Davey (2011): Successfully prosecuted a 78 year old Defendant for 11 out of 18 offences for breach of a noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Inquests

Sunyana Sharma’s experience in inquest work covers medical negligence cases, deaths at sea, fatal accidents at work and deaths in care home settings and suicides of community and voluntary and involuntary patients. .

She is well equipped to deal with a full range of inquest work as noted by her expertise in areas of professional disciplinary law, maritime law and health and safety work.

In November 2021, Sunyana was appointed as an Assistant Coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton and now combines this part-time role with her busy inquests’ caseload.

She provides added value to inquests as a result of her previous practice area of personal injury in which she conducted clinical negligence claims, work related illnesses and accidents and police misconduct claims.

Notable Cases

• Inquest touching deaths of M, J & P (2023): Representing HM Coastguard Agency in three joint inquests following drownings that occurred during the relaxation of COVID pandemic lockdown. PFD concerns raised on the management of beach safety prior to the inquest.
• Inquest touching the death of AS (2022): Represented a nurse, who had sole care of a tracheostomy child patient with complex care needs.  An article 2 six-day inquest in which neglect issues raised when nurse failed to follow emergency care plan process when tracheostomy dislodged. PFD and referral to NMC avoided.
• Inquest touching the deaths of YMG & PLF (2021): Represented HMCG in 10-day Judge led inquest which inquired into the drowning of two fisherman following the sinking of the French fishing vessel, the Bugaled Breizh in January 2004.  The inquest considered the structural safety of the vessel, adequacy of training and equipment, the possible causes of the sinking including the involvement of another vessel or submarine and the adequacy of the search and rescue of the fishermen.
• Inquest touching death of SR (2021): Represented Local Authority in an article 2 jury inquest of a drug related death of a patient who was receiving specialist treatment by Healthcare Services under s.37/s.41 of the Mental Health Act under a Restricted Order. Scope of inquest included the adequate monitoring of the deceased’s mental health and the delay in transferring to another jurisdiction, which led to the overdose.
• Inquest touching the deaths of S & A (2021): Representing a neonatal nurse who erroneously administered sodium nitrite, an unlicensed drug, rather than sodium bicarbonate on two separate occasions leading to the deaths of two babies.
• Inquest touching death of GPS (2021): Represented HM Coastguard Agency in article 2 inquest following the failed search and rescue of G who was found 11 days after her disappearance was first notified to the Police.
• Inquest touching the death of D (2020): Represented care home following the death of an elderly resident with dementia. Coroner exploring errors made by multiple individuals in the care of the resident and poor communication between the Home and GP surgery.
• Inquest touching the death of JT (2020): Represented family in an Article 2 inquest investigating failures by four clinical settings. Concerns included the response by an Ambulance Service, the care provided at two NHS Trusts one of which led to the amputation of the deceased’s leg and the emergency care given in A & E prior to death.
• Inquest touching the death of BI (2018): Instructed to represent a dredger Company following a collision with a sailing boat leading to a death at sea.
• Inquest touching the death of NW (2017): Instructed by HM Coastguard Agency following a death at sea in which article 2 issues were raised in relation to the collaboration of multi-agencies. No PFD Report made.
• Inquest touching the death of RS (2016): Represented an employee as an IP at a 3-day jury inquest into the death of a colleague whilst at work following a fall through a Perspex roof on his employer’s premises.
• Inquest touching the death of EG (2013): Represented the family of the deceased in an inquest which challenged the clinical care and treatment provided by an NHS Trust.

Year of call 2006

Hindi and Punjabi.

Coroners’ Society of England and Wales ARDL (Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers) HSLA (Health and Safety Lawyers Association) HRLA (Human Rights Lawyers Association) Western Circuit

LLB Law (Hons), London School of Economics LLM Public International Law (Merit), London School of Economics Bar Vocational Course, BPP Law School, London (2006, very competent). Jessup International Mooting Competition, (UK rounds) - Finalist, 2004 and Semi-Finalist, 2006

On the odd night off, Sunyana enjoys running, ‘body combat’, dancing, food, international movies and all things Indian!