Anthony Haycroft

Call 1982

Anthony Haycroft | Call 1982

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Overview

Anthony has over 30 years legal experience in all facets of the law, now concentrating on representing professionals in healthcare or criminal proceedings. Being strong academically, always meticulously prepared and applying a practical approach leads to the best possible outcomes. He believes in teamwork, listening to and taking on board the lay and professional clients’ concerns and wishes and will give firm and complete advice.

Anthony is clerked primarily by Lee Johnson, Clare Sabido, Jennifer Pooler and Emma Bell.

“A truly exceptional junior, who invariably meets or exceeds clients’ objectives and needs due to how fastidious he is in his preparations, accounting for all possible permutations in complex cases.”
The Legal 500

Anthony Haycroft represented a major construction company at Cambridge Crown Court in a case brought by the HSE.
Click here to read more.

Experience and Expertise

Anthony has over 30 years experience of advising and representing healthcare professionals in the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service against the General Medical Council, General Dental Council, ARB, GPhC, GOC, 1st tier tribunals and in Administrative Court appeals from MPTS and GDC hearings.

He also acts in all forms of disciplinary hearings. He defended in the first case brought by the then Health Care Commission regarding an unlicensed clinic. He also appeared in 2017 for a doctor in the first ever appeal brought by the GMC against an MPT decision. In 2017 he was regulatory barrister of the year at the Chambers & Partners annual awards having been runner up in 2015.

He has significant experience in serious crime both alone and as a leading junior, principally prosecuting or defending professionals accused of fraud (R v Singh-Mann, R v Momoh),  murder (R v Bell, R v Quartey, R v Potter, R v Pile & Rossiter, R v Smitheman & Others and R v Hogben), manslaughter, rape, sexual touching and Health & Safety at Work Act offences. In the Court of Appeal case of R v Chabaan the decision regarding the case management powers of the judge led to the Criminal Procedure Rules.

Anthony is Head of Business and Specialist Crime having been a Grade 4 Prosecutor for the CPS for many years.

He is a co-author of Lissack & Horlick on Bribery.

He is registered with the Bar Council for direct access and is a registered pupil master.

Cases and Work of Note

  • GMC v Jagjivan MPT [2017] EWHC 1247 (Admin) the first GMC appeal to the Admin Court
  • R v Freeman [2016] Carlisle Crown Court suspended sentence only in death by careless driving case.
  • GMC v Lawton MPT [2015] surgeon cleared of rape
  • R v Momoh [2015] £3 million solicitors conveyancing fraud resulting in confiscation order of £500,000 in respect of “hidden assets”.
  • Monibi v GDC [2014] EWHC 1911 Admin – finding of dishonesty overturned
  • Shaw v HM Coroner for Leicester [2014] EWCA Civ 294 apparent bias of a coroner in 3 week inquest.
  • R v Singh-Mann and Others [2014] EWCA 717 Court of Appeal – successful £21 million fraud prosecution against 3 defendants sentenced to 7 years imprisonment. Authority on the content of a summing up.
  • R v Singhal, R v Eskander, R v Hussain, R v Fish – successful defences in 2014,  2015 and 2017 of doctors accused of sexual assaults
  • Khan v GMC [2013] EWHC 2187 (Admin) – scrutiny of findings of fact at GMC
  • R v Bell [2010] – Court of Appeal successful murder prosecution (25 years minimum) and is authority on the “double jeopardy rule”.
  • R v Whelan [2007] – aviation manslaughter prosecution resulting in a stay at trial by the High Court judge due to the mental illness of the defendant. This case led to my advising the Air Accident Investigation Board as regards seeking to amend their rules to allow them to give expert evidence in cases.
  • Hassler v Capper – RCJ Euro 4 million settlement claim approved by the court after a contested liability trial.
  • Cannon Tools Ltd – trading standards breach of machinery safety regulations case as per EU Directive. Anthony successfully acted for the Managing Director who was completely exonerated.

Recommendations

Anthony is consistently recommended by both the leading legal directories as a leading junior. He is ranked as a band one barrister in the Chambers UK Bar Guide for Professional Discipline. He was shortlisted for the Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Junior of the Year Award at The Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2023.

Recent directory editorial has included the following:

  • Anthony is a very safe pair of hands;
  • he is absolutely meticulous;
  • a first-class advocate;
  • he is a shrewd and tactical barrister with a forensic, meticulous and extremely well-prepared approach to cases. He prepares well ahead of deadlines, putting the client at ease and making them confident in his grasp of the case as a whole;
  • his retention of the detail is phenomenal, and his straightforward communication style endears him to the most difficult of clients;
  • his attention to detail and the quality of his legal knowledge is exceptional. Anthony has an impressive ability to quickly cut through to the essentials of a case and to advise on strategy and tactics accordingly;
  • experienced, well prepared and user-friendly. Always provides clear and uncompromising advice;
  • a first-class advocate who delivers fantastic results. His calm and meticulous approach is impressive. He is a pleasure to work with;
  • he has immaculate attention to detail;
  • he has an excellent manner with clients and authority when advocating for them;
  • if you need a firm hand and someone to take control of a situation, he’s your man;  
  • a rock solid performer;
  • excellent at preparation and straightforward in his approach;
  • he garners widespread praise from peers and instructing solicitors;
  • very fine, very clear, concise advocacy;
  • experienced, incredibly well organised;
  • a real pleasure to work with;
  • good in his advocacy and paperwork;
  • he has a superlative reputation;
  • a very safe pair of hands with immaculate attention to detail and documentation;
  • hailed for his impressive work in court and for his lovely manner outside of it;
  • a terrific advocate whose defense of healthcare professionals is widely praised;
  • particularly experienced where there is a crossover between crime and professional discipline;
  • strategically excellent;
  • a calm, reassuring presence for the client; 
  • an excellent, persuasive advocate unencumbered by pomposity;
  • he has huge experience in Professional Discipline
  • he leaves no stone unturned;
  • he is authoritative and calm
  • has a reassuring manner with clients.
  • his criminal background assists in highlighting the significant issues in related cases;
  • meticulous in his preparation and superb in his delivery;
  • he leaves no stone unturned; and
  • he is very good at seeing what the issues are and where one needs to go with the case.

Reflections

I never underestimate the stress of a disciplinary case for the healthcare professional. Ultimately they may be looking at “career homicide” if erased. They are usually highly intelligent persons who do not countenance making mistakes. These cases involve careful and ongoing person management as the advice is often initially unwelcome.

A joint effort with the solicitor and defence union is vital to guide the client tactically to a realistic outcome in the circumstances. I always provide a detailed note in advance of all conferences so the solicitor and client can reflect upon matters prior to meeting, better to prepare any questions they may have and have a blueprint for future case conduct.

“Clear and firm advice delivered in a straightforward way on all matters tactical and strategic is vital to engender confidence in lay and professional client alike”.

The stakes are high for any professional defendant whether personal or commercial. I believe that extensive front loaded preparation is essential. The prosecution should be in control of the case but a clear formulated plan and early work on disclosure, drafting admissions and schedules may lead to marginal gains in terms of court presentation and ultimately a successful outcome. Clear and firm advice delivered in a straightforward way on all matters tactical and strategic is vital to engender confidence in lay and professional client alike.

Clinical Negligence cases invariably involve an unnecessary tragedy of some kind. Sensitive handling of all aspects of the case is called for whichever party is represented. Quantum assessment and settlement is as much an art as a science and robust yet realistic pleading is called for.

Privacy

Anthony adopts and adheres to the provisions of his privacy notice which can be accessed here.

Further Information

For further details of Anthony’s practice please click on the links to the left or contact a member of the clerking or client service.

Bar Council Membership No: 13478
Registered Name:
VAT Registration No: 365644726