Preparing for your hearing

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Throughout the fitness to practise process you have the right to:

  • Be legally represented, or to represent yourself 1
  • Be represented by a member of an organisation of which you are a member, or by a friend or family member, whether or not legally qualified 2
  • Prepare and produce statements and documents in support of your case
  • Call any witnesses, including expert witnesses, in support of your case
  • If you do not have legal representation, you will be given the opportunity to meet the independent legal assessor who will be assisting the committee during the hearing. The legal assessor will be able to explain the fitness to practise process to you but will not be able to give you any legal advice

In advance of your final hearing you will need to:

  • ✔ Serve 6 copies of documents you intend to submit to the HCPC at least 28 days before the hearing
    ✔ Look over any relevant Practice Notes and Policies
    ✔ Confirm, at least 4 weeks before the hearing date, that you will be in attendance at the hearing
    ✔ Inform the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service at least 4 weeks before the hearing date if you have any special requirements/require any reasonable adjustments to be made
    ✔ In advance of your hearing, you should have received the HCPC bundle at least 42 days before the hearing. If you have not received the bundle please contact the HCPC .

Please refer to our contact and support page for further information about organisations, which can provide advice.

1 Rule 10A(4) of the Health and Care Professions Council (Conduct and Competence) (Procedure) Rules 2003 prevents a registrant acting in person from cross examining a witness in person, unless that witness provides written consent, in cases where (i) the relevant allegation is based on facts which are sexual in nature, and (ii) the witness concerned is an alleged victim.
2 Rule 10A(5) of the 2003 Rules requires a registrant in a case of the sort dealt with by Rule 10A(4), where the relevant witness does not provide written consent, to appoint a legally qualified person to cross examine the witness on the registrant’s behalf. Further, if a registrant in any such case does not appoint a legal representative to cross examine the witness, the HCPC is required to do instead.

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