England and Wales Case Law

Chief Constable of Derbyshire Constabulary (R, on the application of) v Police Misconduct Panel

The Panel's findings on the content and effect of the telephone calls were adequately reasoned and within the range of reasonable decisions, but its decision to impose a final written warning rather than dismissal was inadequately explained and inconsistent with its own findings regarding the failure to follow a superior officer's advice and the seriousness of the harm, thus requiring the outcome decision to be quashed and remitted for reconsideration.

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• Judicial review of disciplinary decisions
• Police misconduct
• Adequacy of reasons
• Sanctions in professional misconduct
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings

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Demanya v The General Medical Council

Demanya v The General Medical Council [2025] EWHC 247 (Admin) (07 February 2025)

High Court appeal against GMC erasure dismissed. The court upheld findings that the doctor failed to diagnose sepsis, falsified records, and lied to the coroner.

• Fitness to practise
• Dishonesty in professional conduct
• Medical misconduct
• Sanctions in professional regulation
• Appellate review
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings

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Bagnall v Farriers Registration Council

Bagnall v Farriers Registration Council [2024] EWHC 1997 (Admin) (31 July 2024)

High Court appeal from a farriers disciplinary decision was dismissed. The court upheld findings that the appellant kicked and punched a pony and that removal from the register was proportionate.

• Appeal against finding of professional misconduct
• Sanction for professional misconduct
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings
• Animal cruelty allegations
• Procedural fairness in disciplinary hearings
• Professional-discipline

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Nwosu v Solicitors Regulation Authority Ltd

Nwosu v Solicitors Regulation Authority Ltd [2023] EWHC 2405 (KB) (19 July 2023)

High Court appeal in solicitor discipline proceedings dismissing challenges to findings of sexual misconduct, proof standard, fairness, costs, and sanction.

• Solicitor misconduct
• Sexual harassment
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings
• Sanctions for professional misconduct
• Costs in disciplinary proceedings
• Professional-discipline

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Guise v Solicitors Regulation Authority

Guise v Solicitors Regulation Authority [2022] EWHC 124 (Admin) (21 January 2022)

High Court appeal dismissed against SDT findings that Mr Guise made unauthorised and dishonest transfers; no material error of law, fact, or reasons was shown.

• Solicitors' disciplinary proceedings
• Dishonesty
• Shadow directorship
• Authorisation of fund transfers
• Article 6 echr – fair hearing
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings

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Martin v Solicitors Regulation Authority

Martin v Solicitors Regulation Authority [2020] EWHC 3525 (Admin) (21 December 2020)

The High Court dismissed a solicitor’s appeal against strike-off and costs after upholding findings of dishonesty over a client cheque and misleading statements to the SRA.

• Solicitor misconduct
• Dishonesty
• Costs orders
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings
• Appeals from disciplinary tribunals
• Solicitor-discipline

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AB, (A Barrister) v Bar Standards Board

The High Court partly allowed a barrister’s appeal against BSB disciplinary findings, setting aside charge 3, but upheld the remaining misconduct findings and sanctions.

• Bar disciplinary proceedings
• Professional misconduct
• Sanction of disbarment
• Admission of fresh evidence
• Article 6 echr (fair trial)
• Article 8 echr (private life)

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Solicitors Regulation Authority v Sheikh

Solicitors Regulation Authority v Sheikh [2020] EWHC 3062 (Admin) (16 November 2020)

High Court appeal by the SRA against an SDT no-case-to-answer finding was allowed. The court held the tribunal misapplied Galbraith and ignored relevant evidence.

• Solicitors' conduct
• Dishonesty
• Costs proceedings
• No case to answer submissions
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings
• Professional-discipline

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Solicitors Regulation Authority v Day & Ors

Solicitors Regulation Authority v Day & Ors [2018] EWHC 2726 (Admin) (19 October 2018)

The High Court dismissed the SRA’s appeal against the Tribunal’s dismissal of misconduct allegations against Leigh Day and its solicitors.

• Solicitors' professional conduct
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings
• Appellate review of tribunal decisions
• Independence and integrity of solicitors
• Media statements by legal professionals
• Professional-discipline

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Craig v Farriers Registration Council

Craig v Farriers Registration Council [2017] EWHC 707 (Admin) (05 April 2017)

The High Court partly allowed a farrier’s appeal, setting aside one finding about unpaid wages, but upheld the remaining misconduct findings.

• Appeal from disciplinary tribunal
• Professional misconduct
• Sanctions for professional misconduct
• Bad character evidence
• Standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings
• Res judicata in disciplinary context

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