Laura Hannah

Partner

Professional Biography
Personal Biography

Biography

Laura is a Partner in the regulatory department specialising in professional discipline and health and social care regulation.

CQC & Ofsted regulation

Laura represents providers and managers in relation to proceedings before the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted), providing advice on compliance, registration, enforcement action and appeals to the first-tier tribunal (Care Standards Chamber).

In particular, Laura assists registered providers and managers with the following:

Challenging inspection reports and ratings
Drafting representations in response to warning notices and notices of proposal to refuse; cancel or impose/vary conditions of registration
Appeals to the first-tier tribunal (Care Standards Chamber)
Representation and advice in relation to criminal investigations and prosecutions
Representation at coroner’s inquests
Advising on safeguarding investigations and complaints

Laura has been an active member of the Care Standards Tribunal's user group since 2015 and has acted as a judge at the regional and national Great British Care Awards for the past five years. Laura also acted as a judge at the Care Home Awards in 2019 and recently joined the judging panel for the National Children and Young People Awards in September 2020.

Professional discipline

Laura represents and advises healthcare professionals before their professional regulators in fitness to practise and registration proceedings and appeals. Laura has assisted healthcare professionals with cases before the General Medical Council; Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council and, General Dental Council. Laura advises healthcare professionals at all stages of proceedings including initial referral and investigation, interim order tribunal hearings, sanction reviews, fitness to practise panel hearings and appeals.

Laura has also represented professionals and businesses before other trade associations and regulators, including the Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapists (ADMP) and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

She is a member of the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL).

What others say

Legal 500

Laura was recognised as a next generation lawyer in the 2022, 2024 and 2025 editions of the Legal 500.

"Laura Hannah‘s ‘attention to detail is exceptional'" - Legal 500, 2023

‘The professional discipline team at Stephensons excels in being able to gain the trust of clients quickly and decide on the right strategy for the particular case.‘

‘Stephensons takes time to ensure that clients attend hearings with a clear understanding of the process and the possible outcomes; and the attention to detail and level of preparation for hearings shown by Stephensons is some of the best I have seen. This undoubtedly makes a huge contribution to the successful outcomes achieved for clients.‘

‘An extremely hardworking group of people who respond very quickly to client emergencies, and who have an in depth knowledge of both the professional regulators and the tribunals who police the professionals.‘

Laura was recognised as ‘an experienced senior associate’ in the Legal 500, 2019

"Laura Hannah, who was made associate is 'an excellent lawyer with strong knowledge and client care skills'." - Legal 500, 2018

Clients

"I was unsure about how to address an allegation from the CQC so sought help from Laura at Stephensons. She organised a conference with a Barrister and herself and quickly drafted a response. The resulting letter was far more than I could have ever drafted myself and clarified the issues to the CQC enabling them to discharge the issues with no further action. I would recommend using Stephensons absolutely! Why try and draft a response yourself when there are people like Laura and Barrister Laura who do this all the time and will do it properly? Thank you so much" - View from a satisfied client

"I really feel that having your help made us feel more in control of the situation and so supported. You have both been so calm and realistic and navigated us through a situation that was beginning to be overwhelming before we had your assistance. I have learnt so much from you both and appreciate how skilful you both are. I would recommend any one in the same situation to contact you with the confidence that you would be supportive, helpful and provide realist advice and information." - View from a satisfied client

"We contacted Stephenson Solicitors when our company received NOP and NOD from the CQC. The team handled our case in a professional and efficient way. Not only was the NOD reversed but our rating was improved." - View from a satisfied client

"Excellent service from Laura and the team reached the outcome we were after through their advice and expertise." - View from a satisfied client

"Laura Hannah provided an excellent, timely and professional service and as a result Notice of Proposal was withdrawn after a CQC Inspection." - View from a satisfied client

"Excellent team of professionals always very happy to explain things over if I needed to ask questions, this was my first time ever to be involved in an inquest, Laura Hannah was brilliant she always put my mind to rest when I spoke to her about being nervous…" - View from a satisfied client

"Last year our Care Home was placed in 'Special Measures' following a CQC Inspection that found 'Inadequacy' in several areas - as a result of careless Manager. The Manager was dismissed and a new Manager was appointed promptly. On our most recent CQC Inspection we were rated SAFE in all areas. Since being placed in 'Special Measures', Laura Hannah of Stephensons was appointed to litigate and negotiate on our behalf. We can only highly recommend Laura, who did a fantastic job, whilst being very supportive and the final outcome was a tremendous success. Thanks Laura!" - View from a satisfied client

"Care 4 Quality Ltd have worked with Stephensons regulatory team for the past two years in an independent CQC compliance consultancy role. Their fresh, honest and robust approach has provided the support and results that care providers need when facing regulatory issues with a level of detail that is second to none. I would and do highly recommend them to any service provider who is looking for efficient and understanding legal support. I am proud to work with Laura and the team at Stephensons." - www.care4quality.co.uk

In the media

5 Minutes with… Laura Hannah - Care Briefing

Challenging CQC inspection reports – is it worth it? Care Talk

The increasing use of the CQC’s criminal prosecution powers - Care Talk

Successfully completing the CQC registration process - NRC

How and when to register a regulated activity with the CQC - NRC

Oral health in care homes: the challenges - NRC

CQC takes tougher line on manager registrations - Care Home Management

Case studies

Landmark legal ruling changes the way professional bodies deal with their members - Read more

Laura has an excellent reputation for providing high quality advice and representation to businesses and individuals in relation to challenging decisions, inspection reports and ratings issued by the Care Quality Commission - cases include:

CQC factual accuracy challenge / notice of proposal to impose conditions
Factual accuracy challenge – increase in ratings
Allegations of failing without delay to notify the CQC (allegations of abuse)
Notice of proposal to refuse registration
Notice of proposal to cancel registration
Appeal against notice of decision to vary registration (final hearing)
Appeal against notice of decision to cancel registration (stay of proceedings)

Webinars

Successfully obtaining registration with the CQC

An overview of the CQC's emergency support framework

Laura is a Partner in the regulatory department at Stephensons where she represents businesses and individuals facing proceedings before their regulators, particularly those in the healthcare and education sectors.

Laura represents providers and managers in proceedings before the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) and provides them with advice on compliance, enforcement action, and appeals. She also represents and advises healthcare professionals before their regulators in fitness to practise and registration proceedings and appeals.