- People
- Expertise
Our expertise
We are a team of more than 500 professionals, with the depth of experience which makes us genuine experts in our fields. Together, gunnercooke’s people have strength across just about every corporate discipline and sector. We provide legal, commercial and strategic advice that delivers real value to the clients we work with, which span from multinational enterprises through to unicorns and non-for-profit organisations. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting and important emerging disciplines, from ESG and charity law, to blockchain and competition.
Search by practice areaDispute ResolutionDispute Resolution OverviewMeet the Dispute Resolution TeamIntellectual Property DisputesFinancial Services & FinTech OverviewProceeds of CrimeEmployment TribunalTax InvestigationProperty Dispute ResolutionInsolvency DisputesMediationCivil Fraud & Asset TracingHealth & SafetyBusiness Crime & InvestigationsLitigation & ArbitrationInternational Arbitration - International
International Offices
The gunnercooke group has 15 main global offices across England, Scotland, the US, Germany and Austria, with further plans for growth in the coming years. These offices enhance the existing in-house capability of our dedicated international teams and dual-qualified experts that cover Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, China, India, Poland and Hungary. Our team have clients across 123 jurisdictions, speak 46 languages and are dual-qualified in 21 jurisdictions. Our expertise means we can offer large teams to carry out complex cross-border matters for major international clients.
- Our story
Our story
gunnercooke is the fastest growing corporate law firm in the UK, now making its mark globally. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
- Reading Room
- News & Insights
Sunil Abeyewickreme
Expertise
Sunil Abeyewickreme is an experienced and highly respected healthcare lawyer. With an academic background in medical sciences, Sunil brings clinical insight and sector-specific clarity to legal matters. He advises across a broad spectrum of healthcare disciplines, including medicine and dentistry, providing sophisticated legal guidance on complex regulatory, commercial, and employment matters.
Sunil has extensive experience representing healthcare professionals in Fitness to Practise proceedings including those regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) and General Dental Council (GDC). He guides clients through all stages of these often career-defining cases, from initial investigations and Interim Orders Panel hearings to full Fitness to Practise tribunals and High Court appeals, helping to protect their professional standing and livelihoods.
Sunil also has particular expertise in employment law for healthcare professionals and organisations, supporting both employers and employees with workplace disputes, contracts, disciplinary and grievance processes, and tribunal proceedings across the UK. He has experience dealing with appellate cases before the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and European Court of Human Rights. His understanding of the unique pressures within healthcare environments enables him to deliver pragmatic, effective solutions that protect careers and organisations alike.
Sunil is further recognised for his specialist expertise in NHS commissioning, where he offers strategic advice and legal support on contractual and procurement challenges facing NHS bodies and healthcare providers. His expertise extends to healthcare law more broadly, where he handles public law challenges, complex commercial disputes, partnership and expense-sharing arrangements, professional regulation, and regulatory appeals including appeals of CQC determinations to the First-tier Tribunal. He also provides strategic guidance to practitioners, healthcare practices, and professional associations on commercial, regulatory, and public law matters.
Sunil Advises
- Medical practitioners
- Dentists and dental practices
- Healthcare professionals
- Professional associations for healthcare practitioners
- Insurers and brokers in the medico-legal sector
Experience Highlights
- Developed incisive understanding of the rules, regulations, and commercial realities governing healthcare businesses and professionals.
- Extensive experience successfully defending doctors and dentists in GMC and GDC Fitness to Practise proceedings, including initial investigations, Interim Orders Panel hearings, full hearings, and High Court appeals.
- Appeared before the National Co-operation and Competition Panel in its first appeal concerning NHS dentistry procurement and regularly advises on NHS procurement challenges.
- Acts for both employers and employees in employment law disputes, with a strong success record in Employment Tribunal proceedings UK-wide.
- Advised a leading private hospital in respect of its practising privileges arrangements
- Regularly instructed in complex partnership and expense-sharing disputes, achieving negotiated outcomes that safeguard practices and reputations.
- Advises on the legal and practical aspects of practice sales, partnership agreements, and privilege arrangements for private hospitals.
- Currently provides ongoing legal support to the British Association of Dental Therapists, particularly in employment law, contract disputes, and regulatory compliance.
- Works closely with insurers and brokers to develop tailored medico-legal policy cover and deliver services for healthcare professionals and associations.
- Acts in appeals of CQC determinations to the First-tier Tribunal.
Career History
Previous Law Firms
- Associate Partner and Head of Dental Healthcare, DWF.
- Legal Director, Dental Healthcare, Hill Dickinson.
- Partner, Halliwells.
Other Professional Roles
- Former Senior Legal Adviser, British Dental Association
Education
- Bar Vocational Course (2004), Inns of Court School of Law
- LLB English Law (2002), University of Dundee
- B.Sc (Hons) in Medical Sciences (Anatomical & Physiological Sciences) (2000), University of Dundee
Professional Memberships
- Barrister (called to the Bar – Trinity 2004, Gray’s Inn)
- Solicitor (admitted to the Roll – 17 October 2011)
- Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
- General Council of the Bar
- Medico-Legal Society
- Industrial Law Society
- Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association
Expertise
Back to top
Sunil Abeyewickreme is an experienced and highly respected healthcare lawyer. With an academic background in medical sciences, Sunil brings clinical insight and sector-specific clarity to legal matters. He advises across a broad spectrum of healthcare disciplines, including medicine and dentistry, providing sophisticated legal guidance on complex regulatory, commercial, and employment matters.
Sunil has extensive experience representing healthcare professionals in Fitness to Practise proceedings including those regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) and General Dental Council (GDC). He guides clients through all stages of these often career-defining cases, from initial investigations and Interim Orders Panel hearings to full Fitness to Practise tribunals and High Court appeals, helping to protect their professional standing and livelihoods.
Sunil also has particular expertise in employment law for healthcare professionals and organisations, supporting both employers and employees with workplace disputes, contracts, disciplinary and grievance processes, and tribunal proceedings across the UK. He has experience dealing with appellate cases before the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and European Court of Human Rights. His understanding of the unique pressures within healthcare environments enables him to deliver pragmatic, effective solutions that protect careers and organisations alike.
Sunil is further recognised for his specialist expertise in NHS commissioning, where he offers strategic advice and legal support on contractual and procurement challenges facing NHS bodies and healthcare providers. His expertise extends to healthcare law more broadly, where he handles public law challenges, complex commercial disputes, partnership and expense-sharing arrangements, professional regulation, and regulatory appeals including appeals of CQC determinations to the First-tier Tribunal. He also provides strategic guidance to practitioners, healthcare practices, and professional associations on commercial, regulatory, and public law matters.
Sunil Advises
Back to top
- Medical practitioners
- Dentists and dental practices
- Healthcare professionals
- Professional associations for healthcare practitioners
- Insurers and brokers in the medico-legal sector
Experience Highlights
Back to top
- Developed incisive understanding of the rules, regulations, and commercial realities governing healthcare businesses and professionals.
- Extensive experience successfully defending doctors and dentists in GMC and GDC Fitness to Practise proceedings, including initial investigations, Interim Orders Panel hearings, full hearings, and High Court appeals.
- Appeared before the National Co-operation and Competition Panel in its first appeal concerning NHS dentistry procurement and regularly advises on NHS procurement challenges.
- Acts for both employers and employees in employment law disputes, with a strong success record in Employment Tribunal proceedings UK-wide.
- Advised a leading private hospital in respect of its practising privileges arrangements
- Regularly instructed in complex partnership and expense-sharing disputes, achieving negotiated outcomes that safeguard practices and reputations.
- Advises on the legal and practical aspects of practice sales, partnership agreements, and privilege arrangements for private hospitals.
- Currently provides ongoing legal support to the British Association of Dental Therapists, particularly in employment law, contract disputes, and regulatory compliance.
- Works closely with insurers and brokers to develop tailored medico-legal policy cover and deliver services for healthcare professionals and associations.
- Acts in appeals of CQC determinations to the First-tier Tribunal.
Career History
Back to top
Previous Law Firms
- Associate Partner and Head of Dental Healthcare, DWF.
- Legal Director, Dental Healthcare, Hill Dickinson.
- Partner, Halliwells.
Other Professional Roles
- Former Senior Legal Adviser, British Dental Association
Education
- Bar Vocational Course (2004), Inns of Court School of Law
- LLB English Law (2002), University of Dundee
- B.Sc (Hons) in Medical Sciences (Anatomical & Physiological Sciences) (2000), University of Dundee
Professional Memberships
- Barrister (called to the Bar – Trinity 2004, Gray’s Inn)
- Solicitor (admitted to the Roll – 17 October 2011)
- Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
- General Council of the Bar
- Medico-Legal Society
- Industrial Law Society
- Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association
Testimonials
“His knowledge and skill in both the dental and legal arena along with his forward-thinking approach means I am confident my clients are in safe hands—not just reactive to legal issues, but also in preventing future issues arising...”
Tom Chaston
Director & Founder, All Medical Professionals LimitedSunil’s knowledge and skill in both the dental and legal area along with his forward thinking approach means that I can be confident my clients are in safe hands with him, not just reactive to legal issues my clients may face but also in preventing future issues arising. His response to changes in legislation allow the dental world to stay on top of such things which is crucial.
All Medical Professionals Limited
Director & Founder