Christian Carr

Regulation of healthcare professionals

“Rising Star” – Professional Discipline – Legal 500 2020 

Christian represents clients in disciplinary proceedings brought by healthcare regulators, often dealing with cases of the greatest sensitivity and gravity for those concerned.

He is experienced in managing cases concerning a wide range of alleged misconduct, including dishonest, fraudulent or sexually motivated activity, clinical competence and health issues.  He guides clients carefully through the fitness to practise process along with any issues arising from parallel processes such as NHS England PLDP hearings, inquests, CQC, criminal, civil and employment tribunal proceedings.

Christian defended three of the first appeals brought by the General Medical Council against decisions of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal, and has successfully pursued and resisted Judicial Review proceedings arising out of disciplinary processes raising novel legal points.

Christian delivers talks to practitioners and medico-legal advisors on various aspects of fitness to practise.

Regulation of medical devices, technology and life sciences

Christian advises international and domestic commercial and public sector clients on compliance with the regulatory regimes in force in this sector. He has a strong interest in regulatory affairs in general but is particularly focussed on medical devices, software and the legal challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. He is a registered member of The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs.

Regulation of healthcare providers

Christian has a growing practise in CQC related matters. Recent experience includes acting in the legal team assembled by the firm to represent a major private healthcare provider in appeal proceedings, resulting in the avoidance of closure of one of their hospitals.

General advisory practise

Christian is pleased to provide ad hoc assistance to clients in navigating the myriad legal issues affecting them in unique circumstances that arise from time to time. He has advised on matters as diverse as the regulation of pharmacies; governance issues in implementing remote consultation services; review of practising privileges policies; and management of putative claims concerning commissioning arrangements requiring advice on conflicting public and private law rights and obligations.

Previous experience

Christian's approach benefits from significant previous experience of defending complex claims for damages on behalf of several major EL insurers, including work at Supreme Court level.