GP Partnership Disputes

Looking for a solicitor to help with a GP partnership dispute? 

Partnership disputes in GP practices are stressful, disruptive and – if not dealt with properly – can damage the practice, affect patient care and cost everyone involved a lot of money. If you’re a GP partner facing a dispute with one or more of your partners, the priority is getting it resolved as quickly and sensibly as possible.

I’m Steven Mather, and I regularly act for GP partners and GP practices in partnership disputes. I understand the unique pressures of general practice, the NHS regulatory framework you operate within, and the commercial realities of running a surgery. I’ll give you honest, practical advice and work towards a resolution – not a prolonged and expensive legal battle.

Common types of GP partnership dispute

In my experience, GP partnership disputes tend to fall into a few common categories. Disagreements about profit sharing and financial contributions are one of the most frequent causes, particularly where partners work different hours or have different roles within the practice. Disputes about a partner’s performance or conduct come up regularly too – perhaps a partner isn’t pulling their weight clinically, or there are concerns about their behaviour with staff or patients.

Retirement and exit disputes are another common flashpoint. When a partner wants to leave – or is being asked to leave – questions arise about notice periods, what they’re entitled to be paid, and what restrictions apply after they go. And then there are strategic disagreements – partners who can’t agree on the direction of the practice, whether to merge, whether to take on a new partner, or how to respond to changes in NHS commissioning.

The first step – reviewing your partnership agreement

The starting point for any GP partnership dispute is always the partnership deed. If you have one, I’ll review it carefully to understand what it says about the issue in dispute – whether that’s the expulsion process, profit-sharing arrangements, notice periods or decision-making. A well-drafted partnership agreement will usually provide a framework for resolving the dispute.

If you don’t have a partnership agreement, the default rules under the Partnership Act 1890 apply. That creates a different set of problems, because the 1890 Act gives partners rights that most modern practices wouldn’t want to apply – like the inability to expel a partner and the right of any partner to dissolve the entire partnership.

My approach to resolving GP partnership disputes

I always start from a position of trying to resolve things through negotiation. Most GP partnership disputes can be settled without going anywhere near a courtroom, and that’s almost always in everyone’s interest. Court proceedings are expensive, slow, public and destructive – everything a GP practice doesn’t need.

Where negotiation alone isn’t working, mediation is often the next step. Mediation involves an independent third party helping the partners reach an agreement. It’s confidential, relatively quick and has a high success rate. I’ll prepare you thoroughly for mediation and attend with you to make sure your interests are properly represented.

If all else fails and court proceedings are necessary, I’ll be robust in protecting your position. But I’ll always be honest with you about the costs, risks and likely outcomes before we go down that route.

Partner retirement and exit

Many GP partnership disputes end with one or more partners leaving the practice. When that happens, I’ll help negotiate and draft a settlement or retirement deed that deals with notice, financial payments, handover arrangements, property interests, indemnity and restrictions. The goal is a clean break that both sides can live with and that protects the ongoing practice.

How much does it cost?

I work on fixed fees wherever possible, even for dispute work. For a straightforward negotiation and settlement deed, fees typically start at around £3,000 to £5,000 plus VAT. More complex disputes involving mediation or multiple partners will cost more, and I’ll always be upfront about the likely costs before you commit.

Next steps

If you’re dealing with a GP partnership dispute, the sooner you get advice the better. Call me on 0116 3667 900 or email steven@stevenmather.co.uk. Everything you tell me is confidential and I’ll give you an honest assessment of where you stand.