Katherine Whittingham

Katherine is a Solicitor in the Crime and Regulatory team at Markel Law, with a focus on health and social care regulation.

Fitness to Practise

Katherine has a particular interest in fitness to practise matters. Having previously spent a number of years prosecuting fitness to practise matters on behalf of a statutory healthcare regulator, Katherine now acts for a broad range of professionals before regulatory bodies, including: General Dental Council, Health and Care Professions Council, Disclosure and Barring Service, British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy, United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and Social Work England.

Katherine’s work includes acting for clients where concerns have been raised about their practise from the outset of proceedings, through to preparations for substantive hearings and/or Interim Order hearings. Katherine also have experience in supporting clients, where applications in the High Court have been submitted, to extend the duration of an Interim Order.

Inquests

Katherine represents healthcare providers at Inquests where they have been granted Interested Person status. Katherine works closely with providers to ensure that potential risk is mitigated wherever possible, so that clients positions are protected.

Entity Regulation

Katherine provides support to the regulatory team in representing organisations and individuals regulated by Ofsted and/or the CQC, such as childminders and care homes. Katherine provides support and advice to clients regarding their registration and compliance, including providing support with:

• Challenging Suspension or Cancellation notices;
• Responding to Notice of Proposals;
• Appealing Notice of Decisions in the First-Tier Tribunal, dealing with case management directions and obtaining further evidence in support;

Katherine is a member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers.