The General Chiropractic Council (Health Committee) Rules Order of Council 2000

Preliminary matters and right of appearance

15.—(1) For the purpose of determining whether to exercise such powers and the steps to be taken under section 23(4), (5) or (6) of the Act, the Committee may make such inquiry, receive such statements and evidence and procure the production of such expert or other reports, as it thinks desirable, and in particular may request the relevant chiropractor to attend an examination by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner.

(2) Before determining any steps to be taken under section 23(4) or (5) of the Act in consequence of such inquiry, the Committee shall by notice given by the Registrar to the relevant chiropractor—

(a) indicate which of the heads of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 23(4) or (as the case may be) paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 23(5) are those under which it is proposing to act,

(b) request the chiropractor to notify the Registrar in writing, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which that notice was served on him, whether he wishes to appear before the Committee pursuant to section 23(9) of the Act; and

(c) request the relevant chiropractor, if he does not wish so to appear, to make within that period any representations in writing to the Committee concerning the matter.

(3) Before determining the steps to be taken under section 23(6) of the Act in consequence of an application by the relevant chiropractor, the Committee shall by notice given by the Registrar to the relevant chiropractor—

(a) request the chiropractor to notify the Registrar in writing, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which that notice was served on him, whether he wishes to appear before the Committee pursuant to section 23(9) of the Act, and

(b) request the relevant chiropractor to make within that period a statement in writing in support of the application, and to provide with the statement any reports or other documents which he wishes the Committee to take into account.

(4) If the relevant chiropractor indicates within the period mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) or (3)(a) that he wishes so to appear, the Registrar shall give notice to him specifying the date, time and place of the meeting of the Committee at which he is to appear.

(5) Subject to Rule 16(9), the Registrar shall send with a notice given under paragraph (2) copies of any reports, statements or other documents which the Committee has considered and which in the view of the Committee are material to the issue.

(6) The Chairman of the Committee (or in the event of his being unavailable or there being no such Chairman in office, the Registrar) may, whether of his own motion or on the application of the relevant chiropractor, postpone any meeting of which notice has been given under Rule 15(4), in which event the Registrar shall give a further notice specifying the date and time to which the meeting at which he is to appear has been postponed, and the place of the meeting.