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Extensive experience of defending dentists, dental technicians and clinical dental technicians before the GDC. We regularly deal with the full range of fitness to practise cases, including registration issues, clinical performance, serious misconduct, health issues, scope of practice issues and criminal convictions.
If you are facing disciplinary proceedings before the GDC, it is vital that you seek specialist assistance without delay in order to protect your interests and safeguard your practise. Our specialist lawyers are recommended in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for professional discipline work. We understand the needs and anxieties of clients facing a possible restriction of their practise or in some cases the potential loss of livelihood. We take a pro-active approach to defending cases we pride ourselves on achieving the best possible outcomes for clients.
Our GDC solicitors have experience of assisting dental professionals with the following matters:
Specialist GDC legal advice
It is important that you seek specialist advice before responding to correspondence from the GDC. Any response which is made should be carefully considered in order to protect your interests and to avoid prejudicing your case. You can be assured that whatever issue you face, our team will have experience of dealing with similar issues.
For a confidential discussion regarding your case, contact our specialist GDC solicitors on 0161 696 6250. Alternatively please complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you as a matter of urgency.
Our lawyers acted for a dentist whose registration had been erased due to a failure to complete 10 hours of CPD during the relevant period. By the time we were instructed, our client had already appealed to the GDC’s Registration Appeals Committee, who had dismissed their appeal. We pursued an appeal to the County Court against that decision, which resulted in a decision to remit the matter to a fresh hearing before the Registration Appeals Committee. The Committee found that there were exceptional reasons for not erasing our client. The appeal was allowed and our client’s registration was reinstated.
Our lawyers acted for a large dental laboratory in relation to a number of linked investigations by the GDC. The company faced both regulatory and criminal investigations while a director of the company faced a linked regulatory investigation. All matters were concluded with no further action.
Our lawyers acted for a dentist in accused of a number of allegations, including violent conduct towards colleagues, in a hearing before the GDC’s professional conduct committee. While a number of more minor allegations were admitted, our client maintained that the more serious allegations had been made maliciously. The case was a complex one and turned on the credibility of our client’s former employer. The allegations which were denied by our client were not found proven by the committee. The committee went on to find that our client’s fitness to practise was not impaired. As such no action was taken against our client’s registration.
Our lawyers acted for a dentist accused of dishonestly failing to disclose a criminal conviction on an application for registration with the GDC. We represented our client at a hearing before the GDC’s professional conduct committee. The allegation of dishonesty was not found proven and the case was concluded with a reprimand.
Our lawyers acted for a dentist whose application for registration was refused due to serious concerns about their conduct. We assisted our client in preparing a fresh application for registration and a detailed reflective statement addressing the concerns which had been raised. The GDC granted our client’s application.
Our lawyers acted for a dental technician in a long-running and complex case before the GDC. The allegations centred on the construction of a dental appliance which proved to be defective. The matter was heard by a panel of the GDC’s professional conduct committee. The GDC’s lawyers argued that our client should be erased from the register. However the panel found that our client’s fitness to practise was not currently impaired and therefore no sanction was imposed. Our client was able to continue to practice without restriction.
Our lawyers acted for a dentist who had been suspended by the GDC’s professional conduct committee following findings of dishonesty. We were instructed to represent our client at a review hearing before the PCC. We assisted our client with the preparation of a detailed reflective statement which addressed the committee’s concerns. The committee found that our client’s fitness to practise was no longer impaired and the suspension was revoked.
Our lawyers acted for a dentist who was made the subject of conditions following proceedings before an NHSE performers list decision panel (PLDP). Our client maintained that a number of the conditions were not workable and wished to pursue an appeal to the first-tier tribunal. We assisted our client with the preparation of grounds of appeal and supporting documents. The appeal was resolved in our client’s favour by means of a consent order. As such a full hearing before the FTT was not required.
"I had the privilege of being represented by Martin Haisley and barrister Daniel Brown during my GDC appeal, and I cannot speak highly enough of their professionalism and dedication throughout the entire process.
The appeal, which stemmed from a minor shortfall in CPD hours, lasted for two long years and was an incredibly stressful time for me. Despite the challenges, Martin and Daniel remained steadfast in their support, ultimately securing a successful outcome for me. Both Martin and Daniel went above and beyond in handling my case, demonstrating exceptional expertise and a genuine commitment to my best interests.
Their outstanding work ethic and unwavering dedication were apparent at every stage of the appeal. I particularly appreciated their excellent communication, with prompt responses to my queries even outside of regular working hours. Martin, in particular, stood out for his attentive listening, honesty, and exceptional skill in navigating the complexities of my case. His ability to carefully follow my instructions, coupled with his professionalism and understanding, instilled a great sense of confidence in me throughout the process.
Thanks to Martin and Daniel's hard work and expertise, I can now continue to practice in my field and move forward with my career aspirations. I am truly grateful for all they have done for me, and I wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal representation. Thank you, Martin Haisley and Daniel Brown, for your exceptional support and for helping me through this challenging time."
If you are under investigation by the GDC or you have been referred to a fitness to practise hearing, please contact our specialist lawyers without delay either by calling us on 0161 696 6250 or by completing our online enquiry form.
Head In this video, specialist professional discipline solicitor Carl Johnson, discusses the comprehensive legal services Stephensons offers to regulated professionals. With vast experience representing a wide range of professionals including chartered accountants, dentists, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and pharmacists, Carl explains how the firm specialises in defending these individuals in regulatory and disciplinary matters.
When a concern is raised the GDC may investigate your clinical performance, health, your professional conduct or issues outside of your practice. There are several stages when looking into a concern and most concerns will not result in you being erased from the register. It is important that you engage with the process effectively so as to maximise your prospects of a positive outcome.
There are a number of stages and depending on the concern and what each stage finds the case may not necessarily proceed to hearing. It is important to seek specialist advice at the outset as there may be opportunities to conclude the investigation during its early stages.
If a concern is raised about you, in the first instance it will go to the Initial assessment team who will either allocate a case worker or close the case and advise those involved. At the next stage a caseworker will involve obtaining and assessing relevant evidence and then determining whether formal allegations should be drafted for consideration by the case examiners. A caseworker may look at the following:
If the case proceeds to the case examiner stage, the evidence which has been obtained will be disclosed together with formal allegations. You will be invited to respond to those allegations and provide relevant evidence, for example references, evidence of remediation and other supporting documents. The case examiners will not make findings of fact but will determine how to dispose of the matter. This may include closing the investigation, issuing warnings, or referring the matter to a practice committee.
It is also important to note that at any stage during the investigation your case may be referred to a hearing before the Interim Orders Committee. This committee will consider whether action needs to be taken to restrict your registration while the case is ongoing.
If the case examiners refer the matter to a hearing, this may be heard by one of a number of practice committees:
Reprimand: This is a statement of the committee's disapproval, but a practitioner remains free to practise with no restrictions and so no other action needs to be taken.
Conditions: This is where restrictions are placed on the practitioner’s registration for a set amount of time. The conditions may include requirements for supervision, training and evidencing improvement to the GDC.
Suspension: The committee can suspend a practitioner’s registration. This means that the registrant cannot work as a dental professional for that set period of time.
Erasure: This is the most serious sanction as it removes a practitioner’s name from the register. This means that they can no longer work in dentistry in the UK. A practitioner cannot apply for restoration until five years have elapsed.
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