Court referrals

Court referrals

Sometimes, after we have referred a case to court, we have been able to find ways to protect the public without the need for a court hearing, in line with our Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) policy.

For example, sometimes we are able to agree with the regulator and the individual professional concerned what the outcome should be and get the court’s approval of that agreement (in a document called a “Consent Order”) without the need for a court hearing.

If a case proceeds to a court hearing, the judge can:

• dismiss our appeal
• allow our appeal and quash the relevant decision
• substitute another decision in place of the original decision, or
• send the case back to the regulator’s fitness to practise committee for reconsideration.

A summary of the cases we have referred to court is available, as are copies of consent orders and court judgments.