GMC Defence Barrister
I am a leading General Medical Council (GMC) Defence Barrister specialising in healthcare law and defence. I have gained an excellent reputation for representing and defending doctors facing GMC proceedings. I am renowned for being “hands on”, I give direct and realistic advice and I will not waste your time and money.
Recent testimonials
Mr McCaffrey and his team are beyond excellent.. I cannot thank them enough for their sheer dedication, expertise and efforts which went above and beyond their call of duty in my case.
Due to their hard work and I am now back to work and I cannot thank Stephen McCaffrey enough for his support during my difficult and traumatic time.
Quite frankly, the service they provide is extremely good value. I am sincerely grateful to both of them and cannot recommend them highly enough.
My case was dealt with speed and efficiency, highly recommend the service provided by Stephen McCaffrey
Stephen, I know we have not finished yet but without you I was going to be struck off. I cannot believe how bad my previous advice was and how good the outcome you got for me. I will be telling all of my colleagues. Thank you to you and your team.
My Expertise
Because of my experience in the criminal courts and other adversarial tribunals, my special expertise is at contested hearings. However, good strategy has meant that more often my clients are not even reaching that stage of proceedings.
I have acted on behalf of doctors working in a variety of settings and at a variety of levels, from medical students through to consultant level. My experience includes acting for doctors facing concerns raised about their practice because of health, poor practice or misconduct. I advise in the early stages of an investigation or referral to GMC Fitness to Practise proceedings.
What I do
- GMC fitness to practise referrals
- GMC fitness to practise hearings
- Appeals against a MPTS Tribunal determination
- MPTS Interim Order hearings
- Appeals against a MPTS Interim Orders Tribunal determination
- Preparing your case before the Case Examiners
- Help with the decision of the Case Examiners
- Help with voluntary removal
- Registration advice
- Appeal against refusal of registration
- Restoration to the Register
- Investigation and disciplinary hearings at work
- Criminal investigation and proceedings
- Police cautions
- DBS [Disclosure and Barring Service] issues
Contact me today for an initial free and no obligation consultation on 0207 060 1983 or Stephen.McCaffrey@kingsviewchambers.com.
Fitness to practise
When a complaint is made about a doctor, the General Medical Council (GMC) may investigate the doctor’s conduct to establish whether there has been a breach of the professional standards set by the GMC.
If the GMC decides to investigate the complaint the doctor is notified, given details of the complaint and invited to comment on the incident at this stage.
During the investigation, the GMC will gather all the relevant evidence that could include taking evidence from the person or body who made the complaint, any witnesses, the doctor’s employer.
If the GMC believes that the conduct of a doctor poses an immediate risk to the public, it can call an interim order tribunal hearing. The tribunal can restrict or suspend a doctor’s work while the investigation is ongoing.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the GMC will do one of the following:
• take no further action
• issue a warning
• set out actions to be taken
• pass the matter to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) for a fitness to practise hearing
If the complaint is referred to the MPTS, the tribunal will examine the evidence, determine whether there is a problem with the doctor’s fitness to practise and, if relevant, deliver a sanction.
Protect your career and reputation
I am a leading GMC Barrister specialising in healthcare law and regulation who have gained an excellent reputation for representing and defending doctors facing GMC proceedings.
I regularly advise doctors and understand the significance and impact complaints can have on the reputation and career of a doctor. A well-prepared case is essential to ensure the best outcome for you, your career and professional reputation. It is imperative that you seek legal advice from someone who specialises in GMC defence work.
If you have been notified by the GMC that you’re under investigation or are facing difficulties with your registration, contact me today for an initial free and no obligation consultation on 0207 060 1983 or Stephen.McCaffrey@kingsviewchambers.com.
Contact Stephen
Contact Stephen today for a confidential free no obligation case conference.
Recent Blog & News
Do you trust the GDC to reach the right fitness to practise outcome?
New research commissioned by the General Dental Council (GDC) has raised fresh questions about confidence in the fitness to practise process, with fewer than four in ten dental professionals saying they trust the process to reach the correct outcome.
All GPhC allegations dismissed in full following representations
A pharmacist successfully defended GPhC fitness to practise proceedings, with all allegations withdrawn and dismissed.
Whistleblowing remains a significant source of fitness to practise concerns across healthcare professions
Recent regulatory data suggests that whistleblowing continues to play an important role in bringing potential fitness to practise concerns to the attention of professional regulators across the healthcare sector.
High Court warns against prolonged interim orders in fitness to practise cases
The High Court has delivered an important reminder to healthcare regulators that interim orders are protective measures, not a substitute for progressing a fitness to practise investigation.
GDC consultation signals a shift in early‑stage fitness to practise decision‑making — what dentists need to know
GDC launches consultation on new early‑stage fitness to practise guidance, shaping how concerns about dentists are assessed, escalated or closed.
GDC case closed with no action after referral back to Case Examiners
A dental professional has been cleared to continue practising without restriction after the General Dental Council (GDC) Case Examiners closed a fitness to practise case with no action.


