The Browne Jacobson partner discusses the challenges of advising on the Baby P inquiry & the Jimmy Savile NHS investigations
Gerard Hanratty is a health and public law partner in Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office.
What was your route into the profession?
My older brother was a solicitor and a number of friends decided to do law degrees when we were doing our A levels, so it seemed a good career option. After I completed my law degree and the Law Society Finals, the last one before it changed to the LPC, I went to work for my brother’s firm and they kindly gave me articles. It was a high street firm and so I did all sorts of different law but found an interest in medical law cases and then moved to more specialist law firms.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
I have dealt with a number of big inquiries related to the NHS, but advising on the inquiry into the death of Baby P and the NHS investigations into the actions of Jimmy Savile were both challenging in different ways. The death of any baby is a terrible tragedy but the missed opportunities in the Baby P case and actions of those who should have been looking after him made his death all the worse. In terms of the Jimmy Savile investigation it was almost a sense of disbelief that such a well-known person could have actually acted in the appalling way he did and get away with it.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
At different times I have been inspired by a number of people but I think the beginning of any career is important and shapes your future. So for me, my biggest inspiration and support has been my brother, Paul Hanratty. He has dedicated his career to criminal law and, despite the government’s constant reduction of funding in this area of law, he continues to try and help his clients. He has also been hugely supportive of my career choices, even when I told him I wanted to leave his law firm. In fact he told me he agreed it was the right thing to do. I think his constant dedication to helping his clients, despite the fact criminal law is not the most lucrative area of our profession is an inspiration and completely dispels the media myth that lawyers are just in it for the money. I think most journalists will actually be paid more than the majority of high street criminal law practitioners.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
When I was doing my O levels at school I had wanted to be a doctor, given that unfortunately Newcastle United never appreciated my footballing talents even though my school was right next door to their old training ground in Benwell.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
I did like Tom Cruise in The Firm, but nothing can beat John Thaw in Kavanagh QC!
What change would you make to the profession?
I think the government should realise that in a civilised society we need to properly fund and support those who go through the criminal law courts. Losing your liberty is not something which should happen because you cannot get proper legal advice and support. The reductions to legal aid for those charged with criminal offences and the ridiculous reduction in which law firms can undertake the work, should all be revoked. High street law firms are a hugely important part of the profession but they now in danger of dying out, because they do not have the resources to complete the innumerable forms that our over bureaucratic system has created.
How do you relax?
I am a Newcastle United fan, with a 10-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter, the idea of relaxation is a long forgotten dream that has taken on a mythical status in my life. In reality I probably do the same as most people – run a little, watch movies and drink wine (only now and again of course).
