“A Star in the Medical Ethics and Law Firmament”

Medical Ethicist • Barrister • Mediator • Keynote Speaker

Daniel Sokol is a medical ethicist, accredited mediator and barrister specialising in clinical negligence at 12 King’s Bench Walk Chambers, London. He is an award-winning columnist for the British Medical Journal (‘Ethics Man’) and the author of 5 books on medical ethics and law.

In the Media

About Daniel

Daniel Sokol combines academic expertise with an active legal practice. His book, Tough Choices: Stories from the Front Line of Medical Ethics (October 2018), was praised by bestselling neurosurgeon Henry Marsh as ‘a wonderfully lucid account, full of quiet common sense. All doctors would benefit from reading this book.’

He is Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Service Research Ethics Committee and has served on committees for the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice, and the Royal College of Surgeons. He is immediate past President of the Osler Club of London (2023-2025).

In 2007, he founded Imperial College’s Applied Clinical Ethics course – the UK’s first professional course in clinical ethics designed for practising clinicians – which he has delivered both in the UK and Hong Kong. He has conducted advisory work, training, conference moderation, and after-dinner speaking for leading companies and charities, and lectures in the UK and internationally on medical ethics and law.

In 2020, he established the Centre for Remedial Ethics, which supports clinicians facing disciplinary proceedings through training and mentoring . He is regularly instructed by solicitors, medical defence organisations, medical schools and clinicians to deliver intensive ethics trainings to professionals and students in difficulty.

In his work as a barrister, Sokol is recommended as a “Leading Junior” (i.e., a barrister who is not a KC) by the Legal 500 (2025), where he is described as “extraordinarily bright and a highly effective litigator. He has sound judgement and good commercial awareness. He is a singularly impressive lawyer who punches well above his level of call.”.

He is available as an expert in clinical ethics and offers bespoke one-to-one or group training in ethics and law for doctors and other health care professionals.

In Print

“A small gem worthy of every clinician’s bedside library.” Professor Charles Bryan, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, USA
“The best analysis…I have read. there is much in this book that a more experienced lawyer could learn.” David Pickup, Law Society Gazette
“Sokol speaks eloquently and knowledgeably of the ethical and moral challenges that doctors face.” Dr Maryam Naeem, British Journal of General Practice
“A magnificent guide to clinical ethics and reflects the author’s very well known and widely respected academic gravitas and real life experience in clinical ethics.” Professor Vassilios Papalois, Former Chair, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Clinical Ethics Committee, UK
“A thoughtful book, full of good ideas and sound advice” Lady Mary Arden, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

‘This was a very good lecture. The lecturer was entertaining and made difficult scenarios easier to talk about and made me open-minded.’

‘Thank you very very much for being such a great Keynote Speaker and visitor to our meeting. The feedback from your contributions has been tremendous and you were a pleasure to deal with.’

‘His session should be compulsory to all clinicians!’

‘This was a very good lecture. The lecturer was entertaining and made difficult scenarios easier to talk about and made me open-minded.’

‘Thank you so much for the presentation tonight. It was simply brilliant – just right.’

‘Thank you for all the effort, skill and commitment you gave to provide us with such a stimulating and valuable course. There is such a lot I will take away with me.’

‘Many thanks for your fabulous presentation last week. It was very well received by the international medico-legal consultants – the feedback has been very positive. It is always a pleasure to have you come and speak for us.’

‘This was a very good lecture. The lecturer was entertaining and made difficult scenarios easier to talk about and made me open-minded.’

‘Thank you very very much for being such a great Keynote Speaker and visitor to our meeting. The feedback from your contributions has been tremendous and you were a pleasure to deal with.’

‘His session should be compulsory to all clinicians!’

‘This was a very good lecture. The lecturer was entertaining and made difficult scenarios easier to talk about and made me open-minded.’

‘Thank you so much for the presentation tonight. It was simply brilliant – just right.’

‘Thank you for all the effort, skill and commitment you gave to provide us with such a stimulating and valuable course. There is such a lot I will take away with me.’

‘Many thanks for your fabulous presentation last week. It was very well received by the international medico-legal consultants – the feedback has been very positive. It is always a pleasure to have you come and speak for us.’