Kingsley Napley LLP’s defence team covers legal services, accountancy and finance regulations, as well as fire and health and safety-related matters. Appointed regulatory team head in November 2023, Melinka Berridge acts for major regulators from the education and healthcare sectors; Julie Norris assists partners, other legal service providers and UK law firms with investigations and SRA enforcements; Julie Matheson specialises in advising professional services firms, predominantly in the accountancy and built environment sectors; Shannett Thompson has the ‘ability to put nervous clients at ease’; and Iain Miller and Jessica Clay are praised for their ‘technical expertise, sound client care and tactical acumen’. The practice further comprises Hannah Eales, an adviser to both regulatory bodies and those who appear before them; Laura Ryan, a prosecutor of individuals for regulators; Lucy Williams; who specialises in regulatory law, primarily in the legal and financial sectors; Sarah Atkinson, who acts in range of architectural cases and complex clinical matters; Clare Hastie, who investigates and prepares fitness to practise cases on behalf of regulatory bodies; and the ’absolute standout’ Kathryn Sheridan. Other names to note are Charlotte Judd, Ian Ko and Louise Murphy-King. Former regulatory head Nicola Hill departed the firm in March 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A go-to firm for solicitors’ regulatory matters. Very knowledgeable, pragmatic and responsive.’
‘The team is exceptional. Knowledgeable, committed, and they go out of their way to assist the client. The team is personable, proactive and informative, ensuring clients are aware of all issues before making key decisions.’
‘Trusted experts in the field of professional discipline. They have such a wide range of expertise in the team that clients can be sure they are getting the best advice and support. They are very approachable and work exceptionally hard to ensure the best results for clients.’
‘Iain Miller is one of the doyens in this area. Very knowledgeable on SRA issues. A pleasure to work with.’
‘Iain Miller and Jessica Clay - technical expertise, sound client care and tactical acumen at a level that few others match anywhere, let alone in such a niche area.’
‘Shannett Thompson is excellent, both in terms of her knowledge and preparation, but also in her ability to put nervous clients at ease.’
‘Kathryn Sheridan is an absolute standout, who is capable of handling the most complex of cases with calm, forensic skills.’
‘Julie Matheson is extremely smart, dynamic and always on top of the detail. However, her key strength lies in understanding people. She takes time to understand what is important to each client, ensuring that they feel supported and listened to.’
Key clients
- Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register
- The General Dental Council
- Intellectual Property Regulation Board
- General Optical Council
- Teaching Regulation Agency
- Education Workforce Council
Work highlights
- Acting for the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register on regulatory and public law matters.
- Assisting the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg), the legal services regulator of patent and trade mark attorneys in England and Wales, with a tender to review and re-draft IPReg’s full set of rules and regulations.
- Acting for the senior partner of a law firm, who was subject to proceedings before the SDT, which were a private prosecution brought by a member of the public.
Lawyers
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Practice head
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Melinka Berridge