Catherine Stock Barrister

Catherine Stock

Barrister

Joint Head of Kings View Chambers
Year of call 2007

Practice Areas:

• Healthcare Regulatory and Disciplinary Law
• Community Care Law
• Care Home Law and Care Standards
• Coroner’s Inquests
• Criminal Defence

After a career spanning two decades in various senior positions in the Health Service, Catherine expanded her career and was called to the Bar in 2007.

Over the last decade Catherine has become one of the most respected barristers to clinicians working in the NHS and in private healthcare.

She brings a depth of experience to the representation of professionals that few other Barristers can match.

Catherine is one of the few Barristers who has operated in a Direct Access capacity for most of the last 10 years.

She is also Joint Head of Kings View Chambers, Head of Management and Compliance, and the Equality and Diversity Officer.

Healthcare Regulatory and Disciplinary Law

Catherine has a vast amount of experience before a wide variety of tribunals and courts including, the General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council, General Dental Council and General Chiropractors Council. She has successfully defended large numbers of healthcare professionals before disciplinary and regulatory tribunals for issues including; lack of competence, misconduct, negligence and issues of fitness to practice relating to conduct and competence and ill health. She has represented all levels of clinicians from all areas of healthcare including doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, paramedics, physiotherapists, speech therapists, physiotherapist, occupational therapists, operating department assistants, social workers and chiropractors.

Community Care Law

Catherine regularly represents families in challenging decisions made by the NHS and Social Services about the provision of and funding for health and social care. These challenges can range from internal discussions through to judicial review of the decision made by the relevant public body.

Care Home Law and Care Standards

Catherine regularly represents nursing and care homes and registered managers before the care standards tribunal.

She provides an provides advisory and consultancy service in all Care Quality Commission matters including assistance and advice on registration, reviews and inspections and compliance.

Coroner’s Inquests

Catherine regularly represents bereaved families and healthcare professionals during the inquest process.

She provides advice to families and other interested persons on issues raised as a result of an unexpected death.

Criminal Defence

Catherine was successful at obtaining pupillage at one of the biggest criminal chambers in the UK and developed her practice quickly. She has prosecuted for the CPS, Customs and Excise, The Department of Work and Pensions and The Child Support Agency.

She also has a large criminal defence practice and has successfully defended clients charged with a manner of offences such as assault, ABH, GBH, robbery, armed robbery, attempted murder, rape and other sexual offences, drug importation and other drug related offences, child cruelty and fraud. She specialises in representation of doctors, nurses and other health and care professionals charged with criminal offences.

Other Roles

From 2007-2017 Catherine worked as a freelancer at BPP University, CPD Law School and School of Health. She has provided advocacy training to a number of legal 500 firms including Simmons and Simmons, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Allen and Overy and Jones Day. She has additionally worked as an advocacy trainer for Norton Rose Fulbright.

She held a variety of part-time roles including Lead Assessor for Criminal and Civil Higher Rights and as an exam writer for Criminal Higher Rights and the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test. As a lecturer she lectured in the following areas:

Professional Skills Courses – Advocacy and Communication Skills and Client Care;
Higher Rights of Audience Criminal Evidence and Litigation;
Higher Rights of Audience Criminal and Civil Advocacy;
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test Criminal litigation and advocacy;
Witness Familiarisation Training and Expert Witness Training for a variety of organisations including The Metropolitan Police, Trading Standards, Financial Conduct Authority, Computer Aided Modelling Bureau and Sexual Offences Referral Centres;

CPS External Assessor

From 2012-2017 Catherine carried out numerous assessments for the CPS of their advocates both in the Magistrates and Crown Courts

Specialist Prosecuting Authority

Catherine provides training to all three forces on assessing in house advocates.

She worked with specialist prosecutors on development of a comprehensive assessment tool.

Previous Career

Catherine qualified as registered nurse in 1988 and worked in a variety of areas such as general surgical, intensive care, neurology and neurosurgery.

She became a ward sister in 1992 and then moved into general management. She has held a variety of posts including practice development, deputy director of nursing and clinical director.

Professional Qualifications

BA degree Health and Nursing Studies
BSc degree Medical Law and Ethic [First Class Hons]
CPE commendation
BVC very competent

My Approach

I am a dedicated hard working professional with a wealth of experience in the areas in which I practice.

I work with you to ensure we achieve the best outcome.
I will meticulously prepare your and keep you involved and informed every step of the way.

Costs

I offer a comprehensive and cost effective service.
My fees are very competitive and you can be assured that you will get excellent value for money.

Contact Me

If you contact me I will:

• Get in touch with you as soon as possible but certainly during the same day
• Have an initial discussion with you without charge
• Will give you clear information on what I can do and how much it will cost you
• Work promptly and effectively to achieve the best outcome
• In most cases our initial contact will be by telephone so we can identify if I can assist you. There is no charge for this discussion. If you instruct me to carry out work you will receive a client care letter setting out my terms and conditions and fees for the work to be done. No chargeable work is done until we agree the terms and conditions.

What my Clients Say

“Can I take this opportunity to let you know how much I appreciate your professionalism and your style which is calm and clear. Without your guidance and knowledge I would not have won my case. I will have no hesitation in recommending you and Kings View Chambers to those who require legal advice in the future. Once again thank you”. J.T. RGN Glasgow

“This case of mine had been going on for 3 years very stressful, full of uncertainties and previous legal advice costing thousands of pounds and nothing really positive. Then l contacted and spoke to and met Catherine Stock. Her advice was objective but gave reassurance. The preparation work she did and on-going advice made me feel hopeful and which finally resulted in my case finished with no sanctions, supervision, nothing at all. I am fit to practice we won and this is all due to Catherine Stock’s input and advice. It is well worth getting her involved. I recommended her to those who need advice and help. Again many thanks from me and my family Catherine”.
R. C. RMN Surrey

“Catherine Stock was marvellous. My advice -don’t leave home without her”. A.L. RGN London

Catherine Stock website

Contact Catherine Stock Barrister as early as possible to receive professional assistance.