This is a postgraduate module which explores and critiques the law’s regulation of the medical profession. Some of the early sessions will draw from sociological literature on trust and confidence and examine recent new stories and ‘scandals’ which have allegedly shaken public trust in medicine or the medical profession. From week 3 onwards students will learn more about key aspects of professional regulation (e.g. the role of the General Medical Council, fitness to practise proceedings against doctors, revalidation of doctors, mechanisms of regulator accountability, legal provsions designed to promote and facilitate honest and open care) and assess the impact of recent reforms on accountability and public confidence.