Lydia Barnfather
Call 1992MA (Hons) (Oxon)
Practice: Regulatory and Crime
Lydia Barnfather is "an excellent advocate who really fights for the cause." - Chambers UK 2012
Summary
Lydia Barnfather’s principal speciality is the field of professional discipline. She has extensive experience in the preparation and presentation of cases before a range of regulatory tribunals. In particular, she is noted for her work in the healthcare sector, where she consistently appears before the various regulatory and disciplinary committees and tribunals considering issues of fitness to practice, conduct, performance, health and so on.She is also a criminal practitioner, advising and appearing for both the defence and prosecution in relation to serious crime of all types. She is on the Rape Specialist List.
Reviews
"Clients warm to 'Class Act' Lydia Barnfather and are impressed by her familiarity with a range of committees" – Chambers UK (2011) - Professional Discipline
‘Lydia Barnfather is "an extremely tough prosecutor with a comprehensive knowledge of the sector." She is experienced in all facets of professional discipline including fitness to practise, misconduct and registration.’ – Chambers UK (2010) - Professional Discipline
Lydia Barnfather has been recommended as a Leading Junior in the field of Professional Discipline in Chambers UK every year from 2004–2010.
‘Lydia Barnfather is known for being “decisive but also willing to discuss matters.” “A forceful opponent who doesn’t give ground easily, Barnfather is experienced at appearing before regulators such as the GMC.’ – Chambers UK (2009)
‘Among other things, she has been extolled for her speedy responses and pragmatism and an effective, client-centred approach.’ – Chambers UK
Additional Information
Member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary LawyersMember of Criminal Bar Association
Member of South Eastern Circuit
Registered with the Bar Council – Public Access Directory
Member of the Public Access Bar Association - PABA
Education
MA (Hons) English Literature – St Hilda’s College, Oxford
CPE – University of Westminster
Notable cases:
GMC v Keilloh (2010)
British Army doctor on duty and attending at time of death in captivity of Baha Musa and another Iraqi civilian.
GMC v Akhtar (2010)
A & E Registrar’s sexually motivated conduct towards scalded patient.
GSCC v Angela Turner (2010)
Social worker charged with abusive language and cruel conduct towards vulnerable service user.
GDC v Horn (2010)
Dentist charged with inappropriate prescribing, including self prescribing of dihydrocodeine, and smoking of cannabis.
GSCC v Lansdell (2010)
Social worker who breached of professional boundaries with female services users and use of fraudulent documents.
GSCC v Celia-Gail Smith (2010)
Wide scale failings of social worker responsible for care of Children in Need and children on the Child Protection Register.
GDC v Coetzee (2010)
Dentist charged with gross lapses in cross infection control and theft.
GMC v Berry (2010)
Large scale inappropriate prescribing of anti-obesity medication at a private slimming clinic.