GDC defence lawyers for dentists

Tania Francis

partner & LEAD CONTACT

• London
• fitness to practise; criminal defence
• t.francis@hempsons.co.uk
• 020 7484 7547

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General Dental Council investigations – how we can help

Hempsons is established as a leading firm in the field of professional discipline, and much of that reputation has been built on our experience of defending dentists under investigation by the General Dental Council (GDC). If you have been invited to submit a written response to a complaint, or are due to face a hearing before one of the GDC’s Practice Committees, contact our team of experienced GDC defence lawyers for dentists today to receive the advice, guidance and support you need to get the best possible result with your case.

Case Examiner responses

When someone makes a complaint about you to the GDC, you will be informed in writing, and if the complaint necessitates an investigation, you will be invited to submit a written response to the GDC’s Case Examiners. After receiving your response, the Case Examiners will decide whether or not the case should be referred to one of the GDC’s Practice Committees for further consideration. It is essential that you receive expert advice on how to prepare your response, as what you say in it can have a significant impact on the outcome of the case. Over the years, Hempsons’ team of GDC defence solicitors has assisted numerous dentists with their representations to the GDC, more often than not leading to the case being closed without the need for a hearing. If you have been asked to submit a response, contact us today and we can help you put together as robust a response as possible to the complaint.

Interim Orders Committee (IOC) hearings

Many dentists find that, at the beginning of a GDC investigation, they are summoned to a hearing before the Interim Orders Committee (IOC), which will decide whether or not restrictions should be imposed on the dentist’s registration, pending the conclusion of the substantive investigation. If restrictions are imposed, they can remain in place for several months and can have a significant, sometimes devastating, impact on a dentist’s ability to work and ultimately to earn an income. Hempsons’ GDC defence lawyers have years of experience of defending dentists at IOC hearings, either undertaking the advocacy ourselves, or by working with highly-experienced barristers for dentists, to minimise the impact of an IOC hearing. If you have been summoned to an IOC hearing, we have the expertise to help you get the right result.

Practice Committee hearings

If the GDC’s Case Examiners decide there is a realistic prospect of a Practice Committee finding a dentist’s fitness to practice is impaired, they will refer the case to a Practice Committee, which will ultimately be tasked with deciding whether or not to take action against the dentist’s registration. Whether you are referred to the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), Professional Performance Committee (PPC) or Health Committee (HC), with our years of experience and proven track record, Hempsons is well-placed to assist you. It is vital that you receive expert advice and assistance with preparation for the hearing, as well as robust representation at the hearing, and we can provide you with the expertise, guidance and support you need to secure a positive outcome. Contact our team of experienced GDC defence lawyers today and we can help you through what can often be a distressing experience.