England - London • Dispute resolution
Kingsley Napley LLP is consistently sought out by regulators for prosecution work. It is also well known for defending law firms, accountancy practices and regulated professionals. Regulatory head Nicola Hill routinely advises the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); Julie Norris is 'excellent, intelligent and tough'; Julie Matheson focuses on the accountancy, audit and built environment sectors; Shannett Thompson 'picks up on cases' every detail'; and Iain Miller's experience incorporates disciplinary proceedings. Also highly rated, Melinka Berridge represents leading national regulators; Hannah Eales is 'a standout practitioner'; and recently-elevated Jessica Clay advises on a range of SRA-related matters. At senior associate level, Charlotte Judd routinely defends accountants and accountancy firms; Kathryn Sheridan represents regulatory bodies presenting hearings before their practice committees; Sarah Atkinson leads investigations on behalf of both the Architects Registration Board and (HCPC); and Clare Hastie is experienced in investigating and preparing fitness to practise cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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‘The team has intricate knowledge of disciplinary committees' procedures, and is able to rely on this experience when it comes to advising clients.’
‘Julie Matheson and Kathryn Sheridan are both very experienced in the field and provide sound legal advice. Clients especially appreciate their commitment and dedication to providing a personal service.’
‘Very experienced in regulatory matters, particularly in presenting. They take a sensible but firm approach to cases.’
‘Hannah Eales is a standout practitioner. Excellent advocate.’
‘Jessica Clay is smart and thinks on her feet, but she also reflects on things and comes up with well thought-out ways to move forward.'
‘Julie Norris - excellent, intelligent and tough. Always on top of her brief and fully understands the legal framework and nuances of the work she does.’
‘Shannett Thompson is extraordinarily smart, and picks up on cases' every detail. Manages client expectations very well whilst fighting extremely hard for them.’
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Iain is a Partner in the Regulatory team specialising in legal ethics, investigations, and public law matters. Iain has acted in many leading cases relating to the regulation of lawyers in England and Wales. His experience covers not only disciplinary proceedings but also business structures, investigations, public law challenges, liability and restructuring. He advises a number of large law firms on SRA related issues and provides advice to law firm partners.
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Melinka is a litigation specialist with expertise in the fields of private prosecutions, professional discipline and Health and Safety. Melinka heads up the team responsible for private prosecutions. She helps individuals, corporates and charities bring criminal prosecutions, especially when the State fails to act. Melinka has over twelve years’ experience of investigating and presenting high-profile fitness to practise cases. She also advises regulatory clients on the suitability of their enforcement regimes. Melinka acts for directors and senior officers accused of committing health and safety offences. She also advises them on what constitutes effective governance over health and safety within their organisations. Prior to joining Kingsley Napley, Melinka was the Head of Licensing for JD Wetherspoon plc. She continues to help operators in the leisure sector to comply with their regulatory responsibilities or respond to enforcement action.
Julie is a partner in the Regulatory Team. She has a breadth of experience in both prosecuting and defending professionals across all sectors, but now specialises in advising regulated individuals and firms in the financial and built environment sectors. She has particular expertise in acting on behalf of accountants and accountancy firms in high-profile proceedings brought by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA and CIPFA; and on behalf of surveyors in proceedings brought by RICS. She regularly advises senior public sector finance officers on their statutory roles and on challenges brought in respect of them. She also advises the FCA in relation to lessons learned reviews, for example the Davis Inquiry and the Connaught review, and the IFoA in relation to cases brought under its Disciplinary Scheme.
Next Generation Partners
Hannah is a partner in the Regulatory team. She is head of the Regulatory team of advocates. She specialises in professional discipline, regulatory, criminal and fire safety law. In the area of professional discipline Hannah has acted for some of the leading regulatory bodies in high profile and complex cases. These regulators include the Health and Care Professions Council, the Teaching Regulation Agency, the Education and Workforce Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Architects Registration Board, CILEx Regulation and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Having acted for both the prosecution and defence throughout her career, Hannah fully understands the effect that proceedings may have on the individual or prosecuting body. She is known for being a thoughtful and fair advocate, whilst always seeking the best outcome for the client.
Shannett has a varied client base which consists of regulators, individual registrants, entrepreneurs, care homes and other businesses. In the healthcare sector, she is regularly instructed to conduct investigations on behalf of regulatory bodies in relation to allegations of a serious nature. In respect of individual registrants, the majority of her defence work is on behalf of doctors, nurses and therapists relating to all the stages of the fitness to practise process from initial complaint to appeal. She also appears as an advocate before both interim order and conduct and competence committees on behalf of her regulator clients. In the education section, she acts in respect of cases where a decision may be made to prohibit teachers from the profession. She also advises and represents students in respect of investigations, largely relating to academic and sexual misconduct. Shannett has contributed to publications by LexisNexis, Lexology, Cannabis Wealth, the Journal of Professional Negligence and City Wealth Magazine. She is an avid commentator and has features in newspapers and blogs. Shannett is also a diversity and inclusion advocate, winning the Chambers Outstanding Contribution Award 2021 – Diversity and Inclusion Private Practice and Judges Choice Award – Women for Africa 2022.
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Nicola Hill