Chris Pataky is a Professional Regulation Barrister practising since 2009. He advises and represents professionals in regulatory and disciplinary proceedings before bodies including the GDC, GMC, NMC, HCPC, GOC, GOSc, ICAEW and NHSE. His work spans fitness to practise concerns, misconduct, health issues, registration appeals and committee appeals, with particular experience in complex clinical matters and cases involving allegations of dishonesty.
Chris’s expertise covers the full spectrum of professional regulatory and disciplinary law, including:
Misconduct, unacceptable professional conduct and deficient professional performance
Health-related concerns and fitness-to-practice matters
Criminal convictions and how they impact professional registrations
Appeals against committee decisions, registration appeals and restoration hearings
Interim order hearings, including extension of interim orders and high court applications
Investigatory-stage advising and responding to allegations
Cases in regulated sectors such as health and accountancy, working before regulators including GDC, GMC, NMC, HCPC, GOC, GOSc, ICAEW, NHSE
Representation in complex clinical and misconduct matters including sexual misconduct or serious dishonesty
Before joining Chambers, Chris worked as a barrister and Senior Associate in the disciplinary team of a Legal 500 Tier 1 firm. He also held roles as a regulatory advocate and Senior Lawyer at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, where for a period he was Head of Investigations. Prior to his legal career, Chris was a qualified healthcare practitioner, equipping him with firsthand insight into professional and clinical environments.
In his regulatory practice, Chris advises at every stage of the process—from investigation through to substantive hearings, appeals and restoration. He has acted in cases of all levels of complexity, including matters where patient harm is alleged, where clinical failure is central, or where serious misconduct is alleged.
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