Ben Bentley
Barrister (Partner)
Manchester
ben.bentley@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)330 045 2701
Ben is a lead barrister and partner in our Manchester office with more than 15 years’ court experience acting for public sector, government and health care bodies as well as being instructed as counsel on behalf of insurers, school academy trusts and universities in high-profile and complex inquest and regulatory proceedings.
After joining Browne Jacobson in 2008, Ben has pioneered the team of barristers working in the north-west. He is approved by the Bar Standards Board to act as a Pupil Supervisor in coaching and mentoring pupil barristers through to full qualification. His principal practice area includes receiving instructions from NHS Trusts nationwide including mental health authorities on complex multi-day inquests including offender healthcare and prison-related deaths.
Regularly acting on behalf of the Department for Education, Ben is routinely instructed as lead counsel on behalf of the Teaching Regulation Agency. As part of this role, he is often asked to contribute to public policy decisions in the development of teacher regulation and professional discipline in support of central government objectives.
Ben has substantial experience in professional negligence dealing with multi-track matters in employers’ and public liability matters. He is also widely called upon to advise upon and represent in respect of awkward or technically complex Civil Procedure Rule matters.
Expertise
Featured experience
NHS England
Advising NHS England and liaising with the General Dental Council in respect to the application of the Data Protection Act and disclosure of Whistle-Blower evidence in what led to “the largest patient recall in the history of the NHS” – and the subsequent media and litigation advice needed to support this public body.
University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust
Acting as junior to leading Counsel in Court of Appeal proceedings of R (re: Shaw) -v- HM Coroner for Leicester City & South Leicestershire [2014] LTL 11/02/2014 in a case challenging the bias of Coroners in inquest proceedings.
Health Care Professions Council
Appearing before the Health and Care Professions Council on behalf of a Registrant to defend a case which led to all allegations being abandoned, and then subsequently advising the Professional Standards Authority as to the jurisdiction lacuna in the legislative regime underpinning the regulation of social workers.
Testimonials
“I think you have done an outstanding job in preparing our case for court, in leading us through the last couple of days, and of course in your highly focused cross-examination this afternoon. Whatever the eventual outcome of the case, your work has been first-class and I very much appreciate all that you have done for the school.”
"I am grateful for the way you have skillfully lead the case for the school… Your support for the school is fully recognised by me, the others on the governing body and the senior leadership team. We really do have full confidence in your considerable abilities. You are a gifted advocate."
"To describe Ben as an absolute star would just not do him justice. Win or lose we could not have had better representation."
