CMS‘ 'highly responsive and cohesive' professional discipline and regulatory practice has a strong reputation for prosecuting individuals on behalf of regulators, such as the GOC and GPhC. The team also routinely acts for individual registrants before the GMC. In recent work, the practice acted for the GPHC in investigations into complaints made against several Registrants for sexual misconduct, inappropriate prescribing of controlled drugs, theft, dishonesty, and mismanagement of medication (among others) The group is co-led by Manchester-based Rachel Cooper, who leads the firm's GOC and GPhC prosecution work, and is 'the standout driving force behind this team'; and Yvonne Screene, who defends MDU members in high-profile cases. Also in Manchester, of counsel Katie Clarke and senior associate Natasha Ricioppo both prosecute cases for the GPhC, in addition to defending MDU members in disciplinary cases.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is highly responsive and cohesive, full of bright young individuals who work well together.'
- 'It takes an innovative approach to joint ventures, working seamlessly with Counsels' chambers to provide a one-stop service to clients.'
Key clients
- General Optical Council
- Medical Defence Union
Work highlights
- Acting for the Medical Defence Union in proceedings brought by the General Medical against two senior doctors, arising from their role in the management of Ian Paterson (now-disgraced breast surgeon currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for intentionally harming patients).
- Acting for a physiotherapist in Health and Care Professions Council proceedings, in relation to multiple alleged incidents of dishonesty during a telephone assessment.