Regulatory Law
Chiropractors

We handle cases where chiropractors are being investigated by their regulatory body, the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).

The Regulatory Process

In the United Kingdom, chiropractors are regulated by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), which is responsible for maintaining the professional register, setting standards of professional conduct and investigating concerns about a chiropractor’s fitness to practise. Where a concern is raised, the GCC will initially assess whether the matter warrants a formal investigation. If the matter proceeds, evidence will be gathered from relevant sources, including patient records, witness statements and expert opinions where appropriate. The chiropractor will be notified of the allegations and given an opportunity to respond.

Following the investigation, the matter is considered by the GCC’s independent Investigating Committee, which determines whether there is a case to answer. Where the Committee concludes that there is insufficient evidence to proceed, the case will be closed. If there is a case to answer, the matter will be referred to either the Professional Conduct Committee or the Health Committee, depending on the nature of the allegations. Where necessary to protect members of the public, the Investigating Committee may also impose an interim suspension order for up to two months while its investigation continues. Following referral, the Professional Conduct Committee or Health Committee may impose an interim suspension where necessary for public protection pending the conclusion of proceedings.

Formal hearings are conducted by independent panels of the Professional Conduct Committee or Health Committee, normally consisting of a chair, a chiropractor and a lay member. At the hearing, the chiropractor is entitled to attend, be legally represented, make representations, call witnesses and submit evidence in their defence. The Committee will consider the evidence and determine whether the allegations have been proved on the balance of probabilities and whether the chiropractor’s fitness to practise is affected.

If the Professional Conduct Committee determines that the allegations are well founded, sanctions may include an admonishment, conditions of practice, suspension from the register or removal from the register. Conditions of practice and suspension orders may be imposed for periods of up to three years at a time and may be reviewed or extended where appropriate. Where the matter concerns the chiropractor’s physical or mental health, the Health Committee may impose conditions of practice or suspension, but does not have the power to order removal from the register.

Removal from the register prevents the chiropractor from practising unless and until their registration is restored. A chiropractor who has been removed following a decision of the Professional Conduct Committee may apply for restoration after at least ten months have elapsed. Restoration is not automatic, and the Committee must be satisfied that the applicant meets the registration requirements and is a fit and proper person to practise chiropractic before directing restoration.

A chiropractor may appeal against a decision of the Professional Conduct Committee to the High Court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, or to the Court of Session in Scotland, generally within 28 days of notification of the decision being served. Decisions of the Health Committee are initially appealable to an appeal tribunal, normally within 28 days, with a further right of appeal to the relevant court. Interim suspension orders may also be appealed. In addition, the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has the power to refer certain decisions of the GCC’s fitness to practise committees to the relevant court where it considers that the outcome is insufficient to protect the public. Consequently, even where a chiropractor receives a relatively lenient sanction, the decision may subsequently be challenged and a more severe outcome may result.

Internal Disciplinary Proceedings

We also assist and represent chiropractors where they are the subject of internal disciplinary proceedings by their employer.

What To Do If Regulatory Proceedings Are Commenced Against You

Should internal disciplinary proceedings or GCC regulatory proceedings be commenced against you, then please either telephone us on 0333 301 0700, or complete our questionnaire.