The General Optical Council (Fitness to Practise) Rules Order of Council 2013

[^key-6046055683e349dfcf185400d383510b]: Sch. rule 40 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-60ebb043e780d26dc3fb1c9b0f5ff23c]: Sch. rule 41 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-6f720286c7cdb5aa6164efaf96855023]: Sch. rule 42 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-219c522d958078fdbf541a7f3650ddae]: Sch. rule 43 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-c77925276d000533b63d00e87e4f23ac]: Sch. rule 44 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-a848d92508015e7a7e8b54006fbb3c71]: Sch. rule 45 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-01c917b932c201d94cff39474e4c3f2e]: Sch. rule 46 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-55569bc2672f50e111339e0207cfbcb7]: Sch. rule 47 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-4c7dd702dcc5cec0f1190a7bd61bb13b]: Sch. rule 48 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-653d857da04f53fa62ceaed5fc7125b2]: Sch. rule 49 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-94450ea7ff909e4187b25459c80bb24b]: Sch. rule 50 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-48e775b25c7eb3cc9af46a31e838610a]: Sch. rule 51 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-a0f2f55fd8d473c161733cfe8a53ada7]: Sch. rule 52 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-c8fb1330737e19fe3cf6e7af407e01b0]: Sch. rule 53 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-f57e1b9153b57a4d69d80346fc07f656]: Sch. rule 54 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-367aebbd89f6ce8f1243e414a17e15d2]: Sch. rule 55 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-c4d1becc5cf27b249406352256d5a42f]: Sch. rule 56 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-693c9462472598a7b02ade4214a8fd8c]: Sch. rule 57 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-d6adcd08d2f875ce46b169131a25570b]: Sch. rule 58 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-21dc05d30d106ecb1899bd69dc173e17]: Sch. rule 59 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-e9e04333b951972cf6a33be31d20d43e]: Sch. rule 60 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-c243a30e05b4dc1e4b67811f6231b8d0]: Sch. rule 61 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-1e835bd2a0e13e2426ffbb9e5c5c701d]: Sch. rule 62 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-c2194471c3401686fd747014cdff3fc5]: Sch. rule 63 in force at 1.4.2014, see Introductory Text

[^key-219c585fd05ca950279cc574cf727c2a]: Sch. rule 2A inserted (14.12.2020) by The General Optical Council (Committee Constitution, Registration and Fitness to Practise) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2020 (S.I. 2020/1325), art. 1, Sch. rule 19

[^key-c8ee9a7a6bf7e3d76194dcd937bb38f3]: Sch. rule 2B inserted (temp. until 1.10.2021) (14.12.2020) by virtue of The General Optical Council (Committee Constitution, Registration and Fitness to Practise) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2020 (S.I. 2020/1325), art. 1, Sch. rule 20 (with Sch. rule 2(1))

[^key-9ac7cbb3546bb07289b571ba35932def]: Sch. rule 37A inserted (temp. until 1.10.2021) (14.12.2020) by virtue of The General Optical Council (Committee Constitution, Registration and Fitness to Practise) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2020 (S.I. 2020/1325), art. 1, Sch. rule 21 (with Sch. rule 2(1))

Notices and notifications

2A

Any notice, notification or other document which is required by these Rules to be served on another person may be served by email if that person has provided an email address for communications.

Virtual meetings and hearings

2B

• (1) A meeting or hearing arranged under these Rules may be conducted using audio or video conferencing facilities.

• (2) In cases where a meeting or hearing is to be held using audio or video conferencing facilities under paragraph (1), any notice required to be sent under these Rules giving notice of venue must include details of the audio or video conferencing arrangements required to access the hearing.

Postponement

37A

• (1) The Hearings Manager may postpone any listed hearing which has not started.

• (2) The Hearings Manager shall decide the new date for the hearing.

• (3) The Hearings Manager shall notify the registrant—

• (a) of a decision under paragraph (1) as soon as practicable after the decision is made; and

• (b) of a decision under paragraph (2) at least 7 days before the new hearing date, unless the hearing is to take place less than 7 days after the decision under paragraph (2), in which case the Hearings Manager shall give the registrant as much notice of the new date as practicable.

Standard and burden of proof

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

Written decision

Notification and disclosure of outcome of investigations and hearings

Costs and expenses

Period of payment