UK Statutory Instrument
2013
United Kingdom
The General Optical Council (Fitness to Practise) Rules Order of Council 2013
This Order approves Rules made by the General Optical Council (“the Council”) which make provision for the procedures to be followed in the Council’s fitness to practise proceedings. These Rules replace the General Optical Council (Fitness to Practise) Rules 2005 (“the 2005 Rules”).
At a glance
Enforced by
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Browse 67 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Interpretation
Notices and notifications
Virtual meetings and hearings
Delegation of functions of the Investigation Committee
Initial consideration and referral of allegations
Notification and evidence gathering
Appointment of assessors and direction for assessment by the Investigation Committee
Appointment of assessors and direction for assessment by the Fitness to Practise Committee
Assessment notification
Date of assessment meeting
Assessment report
Failure to submit to or co-operate with an assessment
Consideration and decisions by the case examiners
Cases considered by the Investigation Committee
Warnings
Review of decision not to refer
Termination of referral
Notification of application for interim order
Unless the registrar is of the view that the public...
Where, after the sending of the Notice of Interim Order...
Conduct of interim order hearings
Representation
Proceeding in the absence etc. of the registrant
Joinder
The Fitness to Practise Committee may, where it considers it...
Substantive Hearings in public
Exclusion from hearings
Procedural and substantive hearings
Notification
Standard procedural directions
Procedural hearings
The Hearings Manager must serve on the parties notification in...
At a procedural hearing, the Fitness to Practise Committee may—...
(1) The Fitness to Practise Committee may vary the standard...
Date of substantive hearing
Adjournment
(1) Upon the hearing of an application under rule 35,...
Where the Fitness to Practise Committee decides to adjourn a...
Postponement
Standard and burden of proof
The burden of proof at substantive hearings before the Fitness...
Admissibility of evidence
Vulnerable witnesses
Witnesses
Legal advisers
Clinical advisers
Specialist advisers
Order of proceedings at substantive hearings of the Fitness to Practise Committee
Questions
Declarations where allegation not proven
Where, in the case of a business registrant, it has...
Written decision
Notification and disclosure of outcome of investigations and hearings
Costs and expenses
(1) Where the Fitness to Practise Committee orders a party...
Period of payment
Referral for a review
Notice of review
Date of review
Conduct of review hearing.
Voting
Record of hearing
Service of documents
Transitional provisions
Revocation
This Order may be cited as the General Optical Council...
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
General Optical Council
Statutory regulator for optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians, and optical businesses in the UK. Registers individuals and businesses, sets standards, and investigates …
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