After the hearing
Understand what happens once a hearing ends. This webpage explains how you will be told about the outcome, what the possible decisions are, and what support is available after you have taken part.
Contents
After giving evidence
Once you have given your evidence, you are released from your Oath or Affirmation, you are then free to leave. The hearing will continue with other witnesses and/or the registrant, if present. You must not discuss your evidence with other witnesses who have not yet given evidence, as this could affect the case.
The Hearings Officer will be available if you have questions after giving evidence.
When all stages of the hearing have finished, the Hearings Officer will give you the outcome and share the panel’s written decision.
If the panel decides that the registrant’s fitness to practise is impaired, their decision and any sanction imposed will be published on our website, in line with our Fitness to Practise Publication Policy. The public version of the decision provides details of the background to the case, the evidence that was heard, any order which the panel made, and the reasons for its decision.
> See our Fitness to Practise Publication Policy for more information
Outcomes
Please be aware that the hearing outcome may differ from what was anticipated, as it will be determined based on the evidence presented by various case parties and other contributing factors in the course of the hearing.
If you would like to talk through the outcome or require further support, you can request a debrief call with a member of the Tribunal Service.
A panel may reach one of the following outcomes.
| Discontinuance in full | The case is stopped before reaching a full hearing. The case is closed. |
| Adjourned / part heard | The hearing cannot finish in the time available and is rescheduled to continue on another date. |
| Not well founded | The panel decides the facts are not proved, or they do not amount to the grounds, or the registrant is not currently impaired. The case is closed. |
| No further action | The case is proved but no action is required. The case is closed. |
| Caution | A caution is added to the registrant’s record for a set period of time. The word 'caution' will appear against the registrant’s name on the HCPC Register. |
| Conditions of practice | The registrant can continue to work, but with specific restrictions or requirements. They must provide evidence that they are meeting these conditions. The order is reviewed before it ends. |
| Suspension | The registrant is temporarily removed from practice and cannot use their protected title. The order is reviewed before it ends. |
| Strike off | The registrant’s name is removed from the HCPC Register. They cannot work in their profession or use its protected title. After five years they can apply for restoration, which is decided by a panel. |
Appeals process
The registrant has the right to appeal a panel’s decision within 28 days of the hearing ending.
If a Substantive Order is imposed, an Interim Order may be put in place during the appeal period. This means the registrant could have conditions on their practice or be suspended until the appeal is finished.
If no appeal is filed, the Substantive Order takes effect after 28 days and the Interim Order expires. If the registrant files an appeal, the Interim Order lasts until appeal proceedings have concluded.
The appropriate outcome will then be determined by the Court.
Witness feedback
Thank you for attending the hearing and for your contribution as a witness. We understand that giving evidence can be a difficult and sometimes stressful experience, and we appreciate the time and effort you have given to support this process.
We are always working to improve our services and value feedback from everyone who takes part in a hearing. Feedback is reviewed regularly and any learning points are shared with the FTP department.
You can provide your feedback by completing our witness feedback form.
