Regulatory
13.03.24
High Court provides guidance on when an appeal should be remitted for a further hearing in fitness to practise cases
In the recent case of Hawkins v HCPC [2023] EWHC 3256 (Admin), the High Court considered the basis upon which a case should be remitted for a re-hearing following a successful appeal. This has provided useful guidance where there was a previous lack of such guidance. The initial hearing The Appellant, a physiotherapist, faced allegations…
Read more17.01.24
Court of Appeal upholds suspension for covid conspiracy doctor
The recent case of Adil v General Medical Council [2023] EWCA Civ 1261 considered a doctor’s right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”). Article 10 of the ECHR states: Freedom of expression Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to…
Read more1.12.23
The Priory Group charged with criminal offences over death of patient
The Priory Group has been charged by the Care Quality Commission (‘CQC’) with two criminal offences after the death of inpatient, Matthew Caseby, who absconded from one of their mental health hospitals and was later hit by a train. An inquest jury last year found that neglect by the hospital had contributed to Mr Caseby’s…
Read more9.11.23
Amended HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics to come into force in September 2024
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has announced its amended Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (‘SCPE’) will come into force on 1 September 2024. This will be the first time the SCPEs have been updated since January 2016. This follows the updating of the Standards of Proficiency for all 15 professions on 1…
Read more23.10.23
Solicitor struck off for sexual misconduct
In a landmark ruling spanning 82 pages, Oliver Bretherton, an ex-director of multinational law firm Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, was struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) for sexual misconduct in the workplace. This followed a 12 day Final Hearing between February and June 2023, with the decision being published on 29 September 2023….
Read more19.10.23
Brett Wilson LLP and its lawyers recommended in Chambers and Partners 2024 directory
Brett Wilson LLP’s media and communications law and criminal defence departments have again been recommended by the prestigious Chambers and Partners directory as leading departments in their field. In the firm’s media and communications law department, partners Iain Wilson, Max Campbell and Tom Double continue to be ranked as leading lawyers in Defamation/Reputation Management. Partner…
Read more7.09.23
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 more23.08.23
The law on hearsay in fitness to practise proceedings illustrated
The recent case of Mansary v Nursing and Midwifery Council [2023] EWHC 730 (Admin) provides a practical guide as to how fitness to practise panels should approach hearsay evidence. What is hearsay evidence? Hearsay evidence is a statement made by a person other than while giving oral evidence at a hearing repeated during the hearing…
Read more17.07.23
The Solicitors Regulation Authority and legal costs
It is, of course, customary for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to seek to obtain costs against a regulated person at the successful conclusion of a disciplinary prosecution albeit that, in recent times, there have been numerous examples of the award of costs being significantly reduced from those sought (see for example SRA v Charles…
Read more26.06.23
Repaying a debt which may contravene the UK sanction regime against Russia
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine has led to the UK and other countries imposing various sanctions on Russia including. A list of sanctioned individuals and entities which can be accessed here. However, the sanctions regime is much broader and covers dealing with “involved persons” connected to Russia under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019…
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Articles are intended as an introduction to the topic and do not constitute legal advice.