Gerard Hanratty
Partner
Manchester
gerard.hanratty@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)330 045 2159
Gerard is the Head of Health and Life Sciences and a partner in the firm, specialising in advising organisations in the health sector on their public law obligations and issues. His work covers interpreting statute, supporting system re-organisations, advising on governance, supporting health regulators, providing advice on information law matters and, when necessary, defending challenges to decisions made. He is also recognised as a lead inquiries lawyer for health public bodies.
Gerard is a public law partner and is recognised by the NHS, Chambers and Legal 500 as one of the leading experts on public law issues, especially relating to governance, service reconfiguration, inquiries, information law, devolution and ICS development, for health organisations in the country. Chambers states that - He is described by clients as the "perfect combination of really knowledgeable but also really personable." Sources note that "he is very approachable, understands the issues well, provides sound advice and listens to what you want. He gives you a considered, measured response."
Gerard provides clients with specialist public law input on all functions and powers, his expertise is unmatched. This is apparent as he is now sought to support countries outside Europe to develop the legal framework for their health systems.
Expertise
Featured experience
Judicial Review
Successfully defending NHS England from a claim based on the CHC National Framework by a national campaigner.
Continuing Healthcare
Advising multiple clients on the Discharge to Assess process and the interactions with LAs when determining entitlement. Supporting work on developing 'Who Pays?'
Covid support
Working with a number of public and private sector clients facing delivery pressures during the pandemic and finding solutions to enable continuity of delivery.
Drafting legislation
Supporting the development of new laws for a region in the Middle East developing a new health system.
Testimonials
"Gerard Hanraty has pulled a really strong team of like-minded experts together, able to team well and provide execution service to current, prospective and wider sector players in the public and private sectors. Their clients genuinely like working with this team."
"Gerard knows his stuff and he is a source of significant knowledge."
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From pilotitis to progress: Scaling innovation at NHS ConfedExpo
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On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Avoiding pitfalls when implementing AI in the health and care sector
18 February 2026
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MHRA consultation on indefinite recognition of CE-marked medical devices: Legal comment
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National Cancer Plan: Legal comment
12 November 2025
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Browne Jacobson contributes to white paper exploring UK-UAE collaboration in healthcare AI adoption
16 September 2025
Published Article - Shared Insights
Reimagining the NHS: The 10-Year Health Plan and legal issues
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Press release: White paper sets out recommendations on increasing investment
15 September 2025
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Advancing inward investment into the UK health sector
15 September 2025
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Executive summary and recommendations
15 September 2025
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On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights special: Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England
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Comments on the governments plans to abolish NHS England
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Comment on government's response to Grenfell Inquiry
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On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Learning the lessons from national inquiries
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21 November 2022
On-Demand
Leadership and lessons learnt during the Pandemic by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam
17 October 2022
Published Article
Integrated Care Systems lessons
Three months on from the commencement of the new statutory Integrated Care Systems (ICS) Anja Beriro and Gerrard Hanratty reflect on the main themes and issues that have come from the new relationship between local government and health.
11 July 2022
On-Demand
ICS Forum webinar series: What’s new for ICSs?
Presented by Gerard Hanratty, this on-demand webinar looks into the key new functions for Integrated Care Systems under the new Health & Care Act 2022. It provides a useful update on what is new, how it may be interpreted and what issues may arise.
01 February 2022
On-Demand
ICS Development
This one-hour webinar includes an overview of new legislation in a developing ICS, as well as the key features for developing integrated care partnerships, how local authorities can work collaboratively with health organisations, and how ICS structures can be developed to support key system priorities.
13 October 2026
Online Event - Shared Insights