Speakers: Alecsandra Manning-Rees (5 St Andrew’s Hill), Grace Khaile (Blake Morgan), Scott Smith (Capsticks) and Vicky Lankester (Brett Wilson)
Chair: Laura Short (Capsticks)
Description: Join us for an evening of round-table discussion and networking as Junior ARDL hosts this in-person event in London. The session is aimed at junior members of the Association (0-10 years PQE) to help develop essential skills in regulatory and disciplinary law. The speakers will be speaking and hosting discussion on a wide range of practical and skills based topics, followed by drinks, pizza and an opportunity to network.
Alecsandra Manning-Rees will discuss how to prepare for and present interim order hearings.
Grace Khaile will speak on how to prepare and present evidence in dishonesty cases, including practical advocacy tips such as eliciting information during examination-in-chief and cross examination.
Scott Smith will speak about expert evidence in regulatory proceedings, from obtaining expert reports to examination at final hearing.
Vicky Lankester will provide an overview of key points to consider when defending professionals in FTP cases.
This seminar will take place in person. Please note that the seminar is open to members only and you will be asked to confirm that you are a member before joining the event.
To book a place at the webinar please visit the events page on our website. Please note you will need to log in to your ARDL account in order to book. This is reminder, if you have already booked a place there is no need to do so again.
The Chair
Laura Short is a Senior Associate within the Regulatory team at Capsticks Solicitors LLP. Laura works for a variety of healthcare and non-healthcare regulators. Laura joined the ARDL Committee in 2022 and focusses on leading the Association’s offering to its junior members (0-10 years PQE), including the coordination of the ARDL Mentoring Scheme.
The Speakers
Alecsandra Manning-Rees is a barrister and joint deputy head of the Professional Disciplinary team at 5 St Andrew’s Hill. She is a specialist in fitness to practise, professional disciplinary & regulatory. She acts for both regulators and regulated professionals. She was appointed a Legal Adviser to the General Optical Council in 2023 and the IFoA in 2025.
Grace Khaile is an Associate Barrister in professional discipline and regulatory at Blake Morgan. Grace acts primarily in matters concerning professional discipline, Grace has extensive experience representing professional regulatory bodies in relation to interim orders, fitness to practise hearings and review hearings. Prior to joining Blake Morgan, Grace practised at the independent Bar of England and Wales with a focus in domestic and international criminal law. Grace has extensive experience undertaking criminal advocacy in the Crown Court and Magistrates Court, with experience prosecuting and defending a range of matters. She also has experience in regulatory advocacy having represented the Nursing and Midwifery Council as external counsel before a period secondment at the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Scott Smith is a Principle Associate Barrister in the Regulatory team at Capsticks LLP. He is an experienced advocate, having practised at the independent Bar for a number of years in the areas of professional regulation and crime. He also has experience of inquest work. At the Bar, Scott was routinely instructed on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Social Work England, in addition to representing nurses in fitness to practise proceedings. Scott has also prosecuted doping violations in sport on behalf of UK Anti-Doping, which involved complex scientific material and expert evidence. Scott has substantial experience advising on and presenting fitness to practise hearings, including cases involving complex clinical allegations, dishonesty, and sexual misconduct. Scott is also experienced in cases involving expert witnesses, children, and both vulnerable witnesses and registrants. Scott has represented regulators in interim order, review, and substantive hearings, and has also presented in the High Court.
Vicky Lankester is an Associate solicitor specialising in criminal and regulatory defence at Brett Wilson. She qualified in 2018 and joined the firm in June 2023, having previously worked at Kingsley Napley. Vicky has vast experience of dealing with complex and sensitive cases, including document-heavy fraud matters and those involving sexual misconduct and serious assaults, both current and historic. She has represented a wide range of clients, including young and vulnerable people with mental health issues and high net worth and corporate clients. She is acutely aware of the implications criminal and regulatory proceedings can have on such clients and is able to address their needs sensitively and appropriately. Vicky regularly appears at the Magistrates’ and Youth Courts and has appeared in fitness to practise tribunals. She also represents clients at the police station, supporting them through interview and ensuring their interests are protected at all times.