The General Medical Council (Constitution) Order 2008

Deputising arrangements in respect of the chair

10.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if, for any reason, the chair is absent from a meeting of the General Council, the members who are present at that meeting shall nominate one of their number to serve as chair at that meeting.

(2) If, for any reason—

(a) the General Council is on notice that their chair is likely—

(i) to be absent for more than one meeting of the General Council, or

(ii) to be unavailable to perform the duties of a chair for more than one month; or

(b) the office of chair is vacant,

the General Council may nominate a member (“deputy chair”) to serve as chair during the absence or unavailability of the chair or the vacancy.

(3) A member serving as deputy chair shall cease to be deputy chair—

(a) in the case of—

(i) the absence or unavailability of the chair, once the chair notifies the General Council that they are able to resume their duties, or

(ii) the office of chair being vacant, once the vacancy is filled;

(b) if the member ceases to be a member;

(c) if the member resigns as deputy chair, which the member may do at any time by a notice in writing to the General Council;

(d) if the member’s membership of the General Council is provisionally suspended by the General Council or suspended by the Privy Council; or

(e) if the General Council votes (by a majority at a quorate meeting) to terminate the member’s appointment as deputy chair.