Jennifer Agyekum reviews the case of registered nurse Kay Allison Shemirani before the NMC's Fitness to Practice Committee, a case concerned with fitness to practise in the context of the spread of misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccines.
Clerks Details
- Clerk Name: Tom Cox
- Clerk Telephone: 0117 928 1520
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
- Clerk Name: Gemma Faulkner
- Clerk Telephone: 020 7583 8055
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
Public and Regulatory
Jennifer is a professional disciplinary and healthcare specialist. She regularly appears before the various disciplinary tribunals including the Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health Care Professions Council and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
As well as appearing in court Jennifer frequently delivers seminars, lectures and training within this specialist area. She has also taken part in stakeholder events and discussions in relation to proposed changes to the law in this area.
Jennifer’s practice includes representing clients in the following areas:
- Misconduct and competence cases
- Health cases
- Registration appeals
- Restoration appeals
- Fraudulent/ incorrect entry appeals
- Substantive order reviews
- Interim order hearings
- Application hearings
- Inquests
- Disclosure & Barring Service
Notable cases
GDC v RY - Jennifer represented a dentist facing charges including dishonesty related to plagiarism in a course connected to his dentistry practice. After hearing persuasive submissions by Jennifer, the panel imposed a caution order.
NMC v CW & Others - Jennifer represented one of six nurses in a high profile four-week hearing. In the years preceding the regulatory proceedings there had been an inquest and civil proceedings. This case involved the death of a patient after he had been admitted to a ward with what had been diagnosed as back pain. The nurse that Jennifer was representing faced five charges ranging from failing to check patient records and escalate his condition to inadequacies in the administration of medication. After hearing four weeks of evidence, Jennifer persuaded the panel to impose the least restrictive of sanctions solely based on public interest grounds.
FM v NMC - Jennifer successfully represented a nurse who had been refused re- registration due to alleged ongoing health concerns. After a one-day hearing and careful cross examination of the NMC’s expert witness, the nurse was restored to the register.
NMC v AL - Jennifer acted for a nurse in this dual handed case concerning multiple charges relating to alleged poor care of a patient’s catheter. Jennifer made successful submissions of no case to answer in relation to some of the charges and then successful submissions resulting in findings of no misconduct for the remainder of the charges.
NMC v SA - Jennifer defended a nurse in this high profile case involving a nurse working for an NHS Trust for over 17 years without a work permit. This case involved 12 charges, some of which alleged dishonesty regarding the non-disclosure of her work status and her interaction with colleagues.
The case, on the face of it, should have attracted a striking off order. However, Jennifer managed to persuade the panel to impose a 6 months suspension order.
NMC v ES - Jennifer represented a nurse in this technically complex case concerning a Cardiac Services Team Leader. Jennifer successfully made an application of no case to answer in relation to several charges including a “contribution to death” charge. After which the only charges that remained were the charges which had been admitted by the registrant. Jennifer then went on to make submissions resulting in findings of no misconduct for the remainder of the charges.
NMC v Yeboah - Jennifer represented a nurse charged with dishonesty and working excessive hours. Jennifer secured the least restrictive of sanctions, a caution order, after a 3-day hearing.
JS v NMC - Jennifer successfully represented a registrant who had been denied registration due to historic convictions, some of which included offences involving dishonesty.
Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law
Jennifer has a well-established practice, successfully representing clients in the field of professional discipline and regulatory law.
Focussing on defence, Jennifer has an excellent track record of positive outcomes in complex and sensitive cases.
Jennifer routinely defends clients before professional bodies including the Nursery & Midwifery Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, Ofsted, and the Teaching Regulation Agency. Representation of professionals is both at first instance and on appeal to the Care Standards Tribunal and High Court.
Jennifer’s practice includes representation in local level proceedings, CQC cases and Disclosure and Barring Service appeals; providing clients with continuity of representation in ancillary regulatory matters.
-
Articles -
Covid denier and anti-vaxxer nurse struck off
12th Jul 2021 -
What is the correct timeframe for a local authority to issue a Final Amended Education, Health & Care Plan?
2nd Apr 2021R (L, M, P) v Devon County Council [2021] EWCA Civ
Jennifer Agyekum analyses R (L, M, P) v Devon County Council [2021] EWCA Civ, a case in which the Administrative Court is due to have the final word on the correct interpretation of the timescales for issuing a Final EHCP.
-
Health and Social Care Fitness to Practise in the context of Covid-19
3rd Feb 2021Health and Social Care Fitness to Practise in the context of Covid-19
Regulatory law barrister Jennifer Agyekum produces an article on health and social care fitness to practise during the Covid-19 pandemic.
-
Oh my Ghosh! - Ivey (Appellant) v Genting Casino (UK) Ltd t/a Crockfords (Respondent) [2017] UKSC 67
3rd Nov 2017Oh my Ghosh!
Just when you thought there was no need to attend another seminar regarding dishonesty in regulatory proceedings and then comes along Ivey (Appellant) v Genting Casino (UK) Ltd t/a Crockfords (Respondent) [2017] UKSC 67. Please click below to read 3PB barrister Jennifer Agyekum's analysis.
-
-
Recommendations Jennifer Agyekum is noted for her SEN and discrimination expertise. She acts for individuals as well as schools, universities and local authorities in tribunal proceedings.
Strengths: “Jennifer is a rising star and a force to be reckoned with.”Chambers UK 2024/Education/London Bar
‘Jennifer is approachable and knowledgeable. Her calm demeanour puts clients at ease. She has strong advocacy skills.’
Chambers UK 2023/Education/London Bar
Jennifer Agyekum is ranked in the Legal 500 2025 - /Education/ London Bar/ Leading Juniors
Jennifer Agyekum is ranked in the Legal 500 2025 - /Professional Disciplinary and regulatory law/Leading Juniors
Legal 500 2024/Education/Leading Junior/London Bar
‘Jennifer is knowledgeable, meticulous, and always fully prepared.'
Legal 500 2024/Professional disciplinary and regulatory law/Leading Junior/London Bar
‘Jennifer will go above and beyond to achieve good outcomes. She cares about the work she undertakes and those she represents. Tactical and strategic in her approach.‘
Legal 500 2023/Professional disciplinary and regulatory law/Leading Junior/London Bar
‘Jennifer has a calm, thoughtful and thorough approach, which instills confidence in witnesses.'
Legal 500 2023/Education/Leading Junior/London Bar
‘She has an incredible legal and tactical brain. A master of every detail in complex cases but also able to get straight to the heart of any matter.’
Legal 500 2022/Professional disciplinary and regulatory law/Leading Junior/London Bar
‘Jennifer is hardworking, approachable and very clear in her presentation.’
Legal 500 2022/Education/Leading Junior/London Bar
‘Conscientious and excellent at managing difficult clients. Jennifer prepares well and understands the sensitivities of the case. She engages well with the clients and is confident when dealing with her opponent in a constructive way.’
Legal 500 2021/Education/Leading Individual
‘She is very knowledgeable and has a great understanding of regulatory process. You can tell she really cares about her clients.’
Legal 500 2021/Professional disciplinary and regulatory law/Leading Individual
‘A fearless and highly intelligent advocate.’
Legal 500 2020/Education/Leading Individual
Expand recommendations