THE SET 3 Serjeants' Inn has long occupied a lofty position in the world of professional discipline. Although principally celebrated for their work in disciplinary hearings regarding doctors, health workers and police officers, the barristers here in fact appear before myriad professional bodies. Individuals from academia, the law and sport, for example, have all had cause to thank the members here at one time or another. Clients and instructing solicitors find the set to be "very approachable and accommodating on both the clerking and barristerial fronts." As a note of interest, the set has a strong relationship with law firms and professional bodies in Northern Ireland, and a number of its members are qualified to practise in the province.

SILKS Robert Francis QC is regarded as one of the sector's big beasts, and is someone who continues to take on hard-hitting cases. He acts for – or against as the case may be – doctors, health professionals, social workers and police officers in matters of great complexity. John Beggs QC is the person police officers turn to when they're facing matters of serious reputational concern. A vastly experienced individual, he literally wrote the book on this area of law, and is "someone you can put your full trust in." He is advising on a complex High Court claim concerning the estate of a suicide who had recently left police custody; negligence and breach of Article 2 of the ECHR are being alleged. The "superb" Angus Moon QC represents senior and consultant doctors in difficult and highly sensitive hearings, and has a particularly keen interest in and knowledge of the Human Rights Act 1998. Also highly praised, George Hugh-Jones QC is renowned for his "thoughtful handling of difficult and complex GMC cases." One recent matter he undertook was GMC v M, where he defended a doctor in a five-week trial concerning allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour, incompetence and screening errors.

Adrian Hopkins QC enjoys a very fine reputation due to his "outstanding presentation before tribunals." He recently represented a former Home Office forensic pathologist in a GMC hearing concerning a post mortem examination of the first victim of the 'Camden Ripper'. Christopher Johnston QC is a deserving addition to the set's array of silks this year. A noted expert on medical discipline and malpractice claims, he is a regular before the GMC and has a particularly strong practice surrounding dentistry.

JUNIORS Senior junior Philip Gaisford has two decades of experience of medical cases, and his campaign honours include an appearance in the Harold Shipman inquiry. Described as akin to "a fine wine – he gets better with age," he recently defended a dentist accused of exposing patients to excessive radiation; this was the longest disciplinary case the GDC had seen to date. Similarly experienced and esteemed, Malcolm Fortune, like many of his fellows at the set, is called to the Northern Irish Bar. His background is in criminal law, which equips him well for the rigorous cases he regularly appears in. He recently conducted an inquest into the manslaughter of a patient killed by a botched epidural, in a case that had wide implications for the administration of the NHS trust concerned. Simon Cridland has made a name for himself representing healthcare practitioners before professional bodies. One client was "very impressed with his approach at an Interim Orders Committee Hearing before the GDC. He immediately picked out the weak points of the GDC's evidence at short notice." Commentators rave in a similar fashion about Gerard Boyle, who has "an almost unmatched ability to speak clearly and with authority to practitioner and panel alike." His gravitas and presence are sought after by medical professionals across a wide range of disciplines, and he is also a great favourite of police officers.

Andrew Hockton offers "quietly powerful advocacy" in fitness to practise hearings, NHS trust disciplinary proceedings and before criminal courts. He also has a specialism in cases involving sex crime allegations against physicians. Michael Horne is "very knowledgeable about dentistry and regulatory proceedings." Solicitors favour him as he is "very thorough, excellent with the client, and extremely easy to work with." His CV is bursting with victories on behalf of dentists, doctors and surgeons. "Big hitter" Richard Partridge is in much demand, not least because he is a qualified doctor as well as a barrister. His detailed medical knowledge and his "laid-back, effective bearing" win over many a panel, according to commentators. A recent highlight for him was the successful defence of a spinal surgeon facing allegations regarding the preparation and execution of three operations; the case was disposed of by undertakings. Jonathan Holl-Allen is valued for the care he takes to get to know both his instructions and his client. A "very effective advocate" before both the GMC and GDC panels, he recently acted for a consultant anaesthetist alleged to have administered inadequate anaesthetic to an obstetric patient. Recent arrival to the set Paul Spencer has hit the ground running and is praised for being "highly knowledgeable and a great team player." He counsels doctors and dentists before the Family Health Services Appeal Authority, GMC, GDC and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Katharine Gollop appears before the GMC, GDC and coroners' courts on behalf of physicians and families. She is also instructed by doctors and NHS trusts to undertake judicial review of proceedings centring on fitness to practise issues and suspension. Mark Ley-Morgan's professional discipline practice is bifurcated between matters medical and those relating to alleged police misconduct. Rated highly as an "excellent advocate," he also appears before inquests and specialises in matters arising from deaths in custody. Stablemate Michael Mylonas is a first choice for many in GMC hearings because he is "so good on his feet" and "excellent with clients." An expert in medical ethics, he recently defended a paediatric consultant accused of euthanising two brain-damaged neonates. Claire Watson represents doctors, dentists and nurses before their respective professional bodies, and also appears regularly for police forces and officers facing misconduct panels and the Police Appeals Tribunal. Sources say she "has all the makings of a future star," and further state that she is "thoroughly pleasant, remarkably intelligent, quick-witted and always in control."

Legal 500 2012

Particularly noted for its expertise in healthcare and police matters, 3 Serjeants’ Inn fields a ‘brilliant set of barristers’ who are ‘always willing to go the extra mile’. Leading silks include the ‘bright’ Robert Francis QC, the ‘highly intelligent’ Adrian Hopkins QC, and John Beggs QC. Stephen Morley, Mark Ley-Morgan and George Thomas are singled out as juniors.