New Park Court Chambers

Crime, Regulatory

Sharon Beattie KC acts in complex cases involving scientific, pathological and medical evidence. As well as cases of Homicide (both Prosecuting and Defending), Sexual Trafficking/Exploitation, Sharon has continued to act in professional disciplinary cases, which have included matters as diverse as an 8 month case involving complex oncology evidence.

Sharon has also dealt with cases involving jurisdictional issues as between the USA and the status of USA criminal convictions and “equivalence” in the UK, as well as the status/relevance of “acquittals” in the criminal jurisdiction in regulatory proceedings.

Sharon is consistently rated as a leading individual by Chambers Directory.

Crime

Sharon is also instructed in cases involving serious crime. Sharon is regularly instructed to prosecute offences of homicide and has a particular interest in cases involving medical and scientific evidence dealing with causation, paediatric pathology and deaths during surgery.

Sharon is often first choice in sensitive and high profile sexual cases. Since being initially instructed in the high profile prosecutions of two consultant psychiatrists, Dr Kerr [(2006)2 Cr App R 31] and Dr Haslam, which resulted in a public enquiry and influenced the drafting of professional guidelines regarding the use of chaperones, she has developed and maintained a high quality practice which focusses upon serious, challenging and sensitive issues. She has prosecuted medical professionals for serious sexual misconduct both in the regulatory sphere and in the criminal jurisdiction. Additionally her interest in clinical issues has led her to being asked to advise both in the regulatory and criminal jurisdiction upon issues as diverse as improper prescribing practices to detainees in police stations, spinal surgery, “hymen reconstruction”, eye surgery, consent in surgical procedures, and oncology.

Sharon’s range of experience in the regulatory area and criminal area have led to her being instructed in serious cases in both jurisdictions. Her interest and practice in medical regulation and practice means she is well placed to get to grips with difficult concepts in relation to pathological and clinical issues.

Her longstanding experience of sexual cases has led to her being instructed in high profile criminal cases such as R v Ormond, the trial of a Newcastle football coach who was convicted of historic sexual assaults upon a large number of young players, as well as being instructed in a multi handed grooming case. Additionally Sharon undertook the defence of a former professional client upon serious sexual allegations, the Judge acceeded to a submission of no case at the close of the Prosecution case.

Presently involved in a case involving complex oncology issues and end of life care.

• R v C - Murder of infant – complex paediatric pathology.
• R v I, W, M & L - Led by R Smith KC. Prosecution of Four defendants charged with Murder/Causing the death of a vulnerable adult. Issues re interpretation of relevant statutory provision. Appeared in Court of Appeal in relation to L’s appeal against conviction (appeal dismissed).
• R v K & C - Led by R Smith KC. Prosecution of two defendants charged with Murder/Causing allowing the death of a child. Complex paediatric evidence.

Regulatory

Sharon specialises in Medical Disciplinary / Regulatory Work and Serious Crime. Sharon is regularly instructed to present the most complex cases before the General Medical Council and in the criminal jurisdiction. She therefore has vast experience in cross-examination of the most difficult witnesses including professionals, experts and also including extremely vulnerable witnesses. Her meticulous preparation, attention to detail and skilful advocacy lends her to being instructed in the most serious of cases.

• RE Dr C. Sexual allegations against a consultant – issue as to abuse of process and degree of prejudice required. Submissions upheld on Appeal.
• Re Dr X. Conduct re misappropriation of prescription of opioids and drugs of abuse. Substantial case involving a multiplicity of issues.

Advisory Work

Regularly asked to consider pre charge issues in criminal jurisdiction in particular those relating to medico legal issues. Undertakes advisory work as to appropriateness of regulatory proceedings following acquittals in the criminal courts, as well as advising as to evidence on complex cases.

Appellate Work

Had been regularly instructed in Appellate work in the Administrative Court in regulatory matters. The work is a reflection of her career to date undertaking sensitive and high profile work on a regular basis. This work over the years has included the Prosecution of high profile professionals, which have been lined to public inquiries.

Additionally has always been instructed in cases:

• Involving complex toxicology eg Police officer charged with Rape on female he had been asked to help; Serial Rapist buying women [who had rejected his advance] a drink as a sign of “goodwill” and then spiking it.
• Serial attacked of students in Student housing, case turned on limited scientific and “Bad Character”.
• Case stayed as Abuse of Process re Suggestible Defendant [Article featured in Archbold].
• Acted for vulnerable Defendant in historic case, Defendant, formerly an engineer, as result of illness had no short term memory but good long term memory. Evidence before the jury as to the limitations of his memory. Defendant acquitted.
• Additionally she has been instructed in many serious cases involving different issues [at Grade 4] such as Robbery with facial mapping. Fraud cases with jurisdictional issues.

Joint Head of Chambers (2022)