Stephen Hocking

Stephen Hocking advises public sector and publicly funded bodies on public law and related commercial law matters. He also defends judicial review and procurement challenges.

Clients advised include:

• The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence;
• The Higher Education Funding Council for England;
• The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority;
• Universities and HEIs;
• NHS foundation trusts and local authorities.

His work includes:

• Defence of judicial reviews in the health, education and local authority sectors;
• Regulatory enforcement proceedings;
• Major misconduct enquiries;
• Partnering and joint venture working between public and private sectors;
• The application of competition law and equality law to public services;
• Corporate transactions within the public sector;
• Income generation by public sector bodies and freedom of information issues.

Stephen has Higher Courts' rights of audience.

Stephen is head of the firm's public sector.

Endorsements

"Stephen Hocking is a recognised practitioner in the field and offers expertise across a broad range of practice areas." Chambers and Partners UK 2014 Edition, Professional Discipline, UK Wide

"Clients praise Stephen Hocking as being "particularly attuned" to the needs of their organisation. His practice is centred around public law and commercial matters." Chambers and Partners UK 2014 Edition, Education, UK Wide

"Clients highlight that he has "a practical understanding of what the client wants to achieve and what they might realistically achieve, but will also offer creative solutions to problems that look difficult to surmount"." Chambers and Partners UK 2014 Edition, Administrative and Public Law, UK wide

"Stephen Hocking is ‘very knowledgeable and prescient’." Legal 500 UK 2013 Edition, Public Sector, Education: institutions, London

"He has "shown very good leadership in steering us towards particular solutions within the legislation that affects us"." Chambers and Partners UK 2013 Edition, Administrative & Public Law, UK-wide

"Stephen Hocking is an extremely good advocate. 'He's very good very direct which is what I like'." Chambers and Partners UK 2013 Edition, Professional Discipline, UK wide

"Team head Stephen Hocking provides ‘excellent advice’." Legal 500 UK 2012 Edition, Education, London

"Stephen Hocking is "very knowledgeable, accurate and prompt in his advice, and very client-centred."" Chambers and Partners UK 2018 Edition, Administrative & Public Law, UK-wide