Partner
Chairman
"[Stephen] has a 'real
understanding of our organisation and the people who work in it.'"
(Chambers
UK, A Client's Guide to Legal Profession
2013)
Before specialising in working for professional regulators
Stephen was a first member of the Law Society Children Panel. In
that capacity he acted for many years on behalf of Hampshire County
Council; the work involved taking instructions from social workers
and presenting care applications before the courts. He was also a
member of the Hampshire adoption panel which made decisions about
the placing of children for adoption. He acted in many adoption
cases most of them contested.
Over the last decade Stephen has worked closely with Bradley
Albuery to develop the firms Professional Regulatory practice. Now
Stephen acts for a number of professional regulators in the
presentation of cases before Conduct and Fitness to Practise
Committees. He has also sat as a Legal Adviser to the General
Optical Council, the General Teaching Council, the Clergy
Discipline Panel and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great
Britain. He has conducted a number of judicial reviews on behalf of
regulatory bodies.
Stephen has written lectured and presented seminars on
professional regulation. Between 2000 and 2010 Stephen was the Head
of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution department (250 people)
and a main Board Member. He is a member of ARDL.
Stephen Murfitt is appreciated by clients for his
"sensible and carefully balanced advice," and was consulted on the
drafting of the Institute for Learning's statutory
framework. (Chambers UK, A
Client's Guide to the Legal Profession 2011)
“Stephen Murfitt is “extremely bright, likeable and
reliable.” He is known for his expertise in professional
disciplinary work, both nationally and abroad.”
(Chambers UK, A Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession
2010)
“Praised for his “approachable, clear-cut advice,”
Stephen Murfitt is praised for his fine performance and
concentrated efforts in the healthcare and education
sectors.” (Chambers UK, A Client’s Guide to the Legal
Profession 2008)
particular areas of experience and expertise
In addition to presenting conduct cases and sitting as a Legal
Adviser, Stephen has assisted regulators with the setting up of a
regulatory regime. This has included the drafting of a Code of
Practice together with the underpinning policies, disciplinary
rules, guidance policies, and systems. He has trained Committee and
Panel Members and has written their guidance manual. He has been
instructed with regard to the amendment of primary legislation and
the drafting of subsequent secondary legislation
