Ben Schofield
Associate
Contact details
0118 982 2545
Email Ben
With a background in complex and high-profile investigations, Ben advises on a range of cases within the regulatory team.
Main areas of practice
Professional Regulatory and Disciplinary law
Ben has an extensive practise involving the regulation of professionals, particularly in healthcare, education and accountancy. Ben has been involved in all stages, from initial investigations, interim orders, finding of facts and sanction hearings to appeals. Having the benefit of acting for both regulators and the individual professionals subject to regulatory action, as well as acting as the independent legal adviser to the professional conduct panels who determine these cases, Ben is well versed in understanding this area of law from all viewpoints.
Criminal law
Ben has significant experience in criminal law and undertakes both prosecution and defence work, often relating to wider regulatory offences.
Ben has attended hundreds of formal ‘interviews under caution’ to assist and advise those suspected of being involved in various and often serious offences. This includes police investigations and other organisations such as the DWP, HMRC, local authorities and environmental authorities.
As a regular advocate, Ben has appeared frequently before the Magistrates’ Courts around the country including plea, case management, trial and sentencing hearings.
Expertise
Career
Ben mainly practised in criminal defence on the South Coast following his qualification as a solicitor in 2018 and joined the Blake Morgan regulatory team in 2021.
Contact details
0118 982 2545
Email Ben
Memberships
- Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
- Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation
Significant Experience
- Advising an international airline following a prosecution notice from the Civil Aviation Authority regarding alleged breaches of Coronavirus travel regulations.
- Advising a national retailer following a local authority investigation into potential breaches of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
- Prosecuting serious and complex cases on behalf the Health and Safety Executive.
- Advising an overseas company following an Environmental Agency enforcement notice regarding their UK operations.
Additional Expertise
- Has appeared before the criminal courts in a number of nationally reported cases in the press.
- Acted for a person involved in Operation Conifer (Wiltshire Police’s investigation into historic abuse by a former Prime Minister).
- Acted for a person detained on entry to the UK under the Terrorism Act 2000.
- Represented a person involved with an armed forces Service Inquiry relating to a workplace fatality.
Insights by Ben
articles
When it comes to admitting hearsay evidence, certain factors should be considered. On 2 February 2023 in Mansaray v Nursing and Midwifery Council ("NMC"), we had a useful reminder of...
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