Daphne Robertson – Principal

 


Professional Background

Daphne Robertson qualified as a solicitor in 1993 with the international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer where she worked for 6 years as a Business/Finance lawyer in London & Moscow. Daphne subsequently lectured in Business law at Albany Law School , New York & she taught Partnership & Business law at The College of Law in London. Daphne then spent 4 years at Hempsons Solicitors, working as a senior Partnership lawyer & Company law specialist, before founding DR Solicitors in 2003. Daphne is recognised as a specialist in all aspects of Medical and Dental Business Law and regulations, and is particularly proud of her reputation for excellent client service.

Areas of Expertise:

  
 

Daphne works with a wide variety of medical professional partnerships including private and NHS doctors (dispensing, PMS and GMS), private and NHS dentists, forensic pathologists, plastic surgeons, and limited liability partnerships with corporate partners. Daphne has extensive experience of all matters relating to partnership law including drafting medical partnership agreements and advising on partnership retirements, disputes and expulsions.
Daphne advises clients on practice mergers and takeovers including negotiating sale and purchase agreements and debt instruments, and ensuring that such transfers are compliant with the regulations.
 She advises on all aspects of PMS, GMS and APMS contracts including; bidding and procurement; negotiation; variations; termination and breach notices; and on the appropriate business vehicle for delivering services. In this context Daphne has established  limited companies, LLPs, Joint ventures, Community Interest Companies, cost-sharing agreements, and other entities for clients who for example wish to commission or provide Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) services.
Daphne also has a depth of experience in drafting pharmacy sale agreements and dispensing licences.

  
 


Professional Accreditations:

  
  Daphne is often invited to present as the legal specialist at GP conferences & she regularly lectures & publishes on medical practice matters.
Daphne Robertson is cited in the following leading UK legal directories:
* Chambers UK: Top ranked for medical law ‘Clients appreciate Daphne’s personable service’
* Legal Experts: ‘Daphne is highly recommended for her client-focused approach.’
* Legal 500: ‘a highly recommended expert in the field of Partnership law’
 Daphne is also a member of the Association of Partnership Practitioners.

  
 

Ian Fisher - Solicitor

  
     
  Professional Background

Ian Fisher has over 30 years experience as a qualified Solicitor specialising in commercial property, and has spent the majority of his career advising  members of the medical profession on all property matters involved in their NHS practices.
Ian started his career at Lovell White King, before moving to the international law firm Freshfields where he was promoted to Partner. His early exposure to the medical sector included acting for The General Practice Finance Corporation long before it became part of Aviva. For many years at Freshfields Ian acted on property matters involving various household names in the private medical field. Ian was responsible for the legal negotiations and drafting  of various hospital and nursing home constructions and property acquisitions, as well as more standard office developments and lettings.
On joining Fladgate Fielder as a partner in 1995, Ian acted on all property matters for specialist developers of NHS surgeries.  Clients followed Ian to Charles Russell where he established a successful practice acting on many NHS developments including primary care premises, and was responsible for drafting much of the legal documentation which has now become standard in the industry.
Ian joined DR Solicitors in May 2005 to lead the NHS Commercial Property team and to provide commercial property advice and partnership advice to NHS medical practitioners.
Ian is frequently called upon to talk to members of the medical profession on property development and partnership matters in the NHS medical sector, and  he is DR Solicitors’ representative at the Primary Care Premises Forum (PCPF).

Recent work Includes:

Sale and lease back of GP premises on behalf of GP’s as tenants; Surgery developments financed through LIFT and Darzi funding; Vesting of freehold and leasehold property on partnership admissions and exits; Acquisitions of land, whether freehold or long leasehold; Agreements for lease and leases to medical practitioners, dentists and pharmacists and the negotiation of professional team warranties.