All posts
7.09.23
Updated Good Medical Practice for doctors focuses on behaviour towards colleagues
The regulator for doctors, the General Medical Council (GMC), has recently published an updated Good Medical Practice for doctors. This contains the standards of good practice that doctors must adhere to and will be judged against if allegations are made against them. This is the first time the standards have been updated in 10 years,…
Read more22.10.21
My professional regulator is investigating me. Help!
In recent months, this firm has noticed a steep increase in enquiries from professionals facing regulatory investigation. This has spanned various professions including, but not limited to, medical, dental, academic and legal. The main reason for this appears to be that many regulators were running a skeleton service of sorts during (and beyond) the lockdowns. …
Read more21.06.21
Absence from disciplinary hearings and appeals
The recent case of General Medical Council v Armstrong [2021] 5 WLUK 384 revisited the issue of whether tribunals (including Appellate Courts such as the High Court) ought to proceed in the absence of the registrant respondent. The respondent in Armstrong, in keeping with many registrants and professionals, deliberately chose to absent herself from the…
Read more11.03.20
Doctor who spied on 15-year-old girl in the shower struck off following voyeurism conviction
On 28 February 2019, Dr Jonathan Fielden was convicted in Luton Crown Court of one count of voyeurism contrary to section 67(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. A person is held to commit an act of voyeurism if, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, they observe another person doing a private act. At…
Read more12.09.19
A Guide to Disciplinary and Regulatory Proceedings
This guide is intended to assist professional persons by providing an overview of how disciplinary proceedings usually work. It is designed to provide simple outline but all professional regulators operate under their own regulatory code and their powers are derived from statute unique to the particular profession. For example, the Solicitors Regulation Authority derives its…
Read more4.12.18
‘Tis the season of unfair trials: criminal allegations in the regulatory arena
Recent weeks have seen a number of high profile criminal allegations being revealed, and even judged upon, without any involvement from the criminal justice system. The most obvious of these cases involved Lord Lester of Herne Hill. The eminent Human Rights lawyer, and former Liberal Democrat spokesman on Human Rights, was found culpable of sexual…
Read more16.05.18
Suspect Anonymity: is it actually feasible?
Former popstar and baby-boomer heart-throb Cliff Richard is suing the BBC for breach of privacy regarding its report that he had been accused of a sexual offence, and also its coverage in 2014 of the subsequent police raid on his home. The BBC coverage included use of a helicopter, and broadcasting the police search through…
Read more9.02.18
Criminal Law : Doctor struck off and convicted of manslaughter – professional errors made under pressure.
In December 2015, Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba, an Accident & Emergency doctor, was found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court of gross negligence manslaughter of six-year-old Jack Adcock, who had been admitted to the Leicester Royal Infirmary in February 2011. Jack had a known heart condition and had been admitted with vomiting and diarrheaoa. During his admission…
Read moreLegal Disclaimer
Articles are intended as an introduction to the topic and do not constitute legal advice.
