Chiropractors Act 1994
There shall be a body corporate to be known as the General Chiropractic Council (referred to in this Act as “the General Council”).
It shall be the duty of the General Council to develop, promote and regulate the profession of chiropractic.
The General Council shall have such other functions as are conferred on it by this Act.
Part I of Schedule 1 shall have effect with respect to the constitution of the General Council.
There shall be four committees of the General Council, to be known as—
the Education Committee;
the Investigating Committee;
the Professional Conduct Committee; and
the Health Committee.
The four committees are referred to in this Act as “the statutory committees”.
Each of the statutory committees shall have the functions conferred on it by or under this Act.
The General Council may establish such other committees as it considers appropriate in connection with the discharge of its functions.
Part II of Schedule 1 shall have effect with respect to the statutory committees.
At the request of the General Council, Her Majesty may by Order in Council make such provision with respect to the matters dealt with by Schedule 1 as Her Majesty considers appropriate in consultation with the General Council.
Any such Order in Council shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Any provision under subsection (10) may be made either in substitution for, or as an addition to, that made by any provision of Schedule 1.
The General Council shall appoint a person to be the registrar for the purposes of this Act.
The person appointed shall be known as the Registrar of Chiropractors (referred to in this Act as “the Registrar”) and shall hold office for such period and on such terms as the General Council may determine.
It shall be the duty of the Registrar to establish and maintain a register of chiropractors in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
The Registrar shall have such other functions as the General Council may direct.
Where the terms on which the Registrar holds office include provision for the payment to him of any allowances or expenses, the rate at which those allowances or expenses are paid shall be determined by the General Council.
The terms on which the Registrar holds office may, in addition to providing for his remuneration, include provision for the payment of such pensions, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of him, or such contributions or payments towards provision for such pensions, allowances or gratuities, as may be determined by the General Council.
Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person who satisfies the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) shall be entitled to be registered as a fully registered chiropractor.
The conditions are that the application is made in the prescribed form and manner and that the applicant—
has paid the prescribed fee;
satisfies the Registrar that he is of good character;
satisfies the Registrar that he is in good health, both physically and mentally; and
has a recognised qualification.
Where an application for registration is made during the transitional period by a person who was in practice as a chiropractor at any time before the opening of the register, he shall be treated as having a recognised qualification if he satisfies the Registrar that for a period of at least five years (which need not be continuous) he has spent a substantial part of his working time in the lawful, safe and competent practice of chiropractic.
For the purposes of subsection (3), no account shall be taken of any work done by the applicant before the beginning of the period of seven years ending with the opening of the register.
For the purposes of subsection (3), the question whether the applicant has spent any part of his working time in the lawful, safe and competent practice of chiropractic shall be determined in accordance with such rules (if any) as may be made by the General Council.
The General Council may by rules provide for treating a person who— as holding a recognised qualification for the purposes of this Act.
has obtained a qualification in chiropractic outside the United Kingdom,
does not hold a recognised qualification, but
satisfies the Registrar that he has reached the required standard of proficiency,
In this section “transitional period” means the period of two years beginning with the opening of the register.
Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person who satisfies the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) shall be entitled to be registered as a conditionally registered chiropractor.
The conditions are that the application is made in the prescribed form and manner during the transitional period and that the applicant—
has paid the prescribed fee;
satisfies the Registrar that he is of good character;
satisfies the Registrar that he is in good health, both physically and mentally;
satisfies the Registrar that for a period of at least four years (which need not be continuous) he has spent a substantial part of his working time in the lawful, safe and competent practice of chiropractic;
if required to do so by the Registrar in accordance with rules made by the General Council, passes—
the prescribed test of competence; or
such part of that test as the Registrar may specify; and
gives the required undertaking.
In the application of subsection (2)(d), in relation to any person, no account shall be taken of any work done by him before the beginning of the period of six years ending with the opening of the register.
The General Council may by rules provide for the conversion, in prescribed circumstances and subject to the chiropractor concerned complying with such conditions (if any) as may be prescribed, of conditional registration into full registration.
Unless it is converted into full registration in accordance with the rules, any conditional registration shall cease to have effect—
at the end of the period of five years beginning with the opening of the register; or
where a shorter period has been specified by the Registrar in accordance with subsection (10) in relation to the chiropractor in question, at the end of that shorter period.
In dealing with an application for registration made during the transitional period by a person who— the Registrar shall refer the matter to the Education Committee.
cannot meet the requirement of subsection (2)(d), but
has a qualification in chiropractic which, while not being a recognised qualification, has not been refused recognition by the General Council,
Where a reference is made to the Education Committee under subsection (6), it shall be the duty of the Committee to advise the General Council.
If, after considering the advice of the Education Committee, the General Council is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so, it shall direct the Registrar to disregard subsection (2)(d) in relation to the application in question.
For the purposes of subsection (2)(d), the question whether the applicant has spent any part of his working time in the lawful, safe and competent practice of chiropractic shall be determined in accordance with such rules (if any) as may be made by the General Council.
In this section—
“required undertaking” means an undertaking that the person giving it will, before the end of the period of five years beginning with the opening of the register or such shorter period as the Registrar may specify in relation to the applicant—
complete such additional training and acquire such experience as may be specified by the Registrar in accordance with rules made by the General Council; and
comply with such other conditions (if any) as may be imposed on him by the Registrar in accordance with such rules; and
Rules made by virtue of paragraph (b) in the definition of “required undertaking” in subsection (10) may, in particular, provide for the Registrar to be able to impose, as a condition, the passing of a test of competence specified by the Registrar.
The General Council may make rules providing for all applicants for registration who are entitled to be registered with full registration, or all such applicants falling within a prescribed class, to be registered initially with provisional registration.
Before making any rules under subsection (1), the General Council shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to consult those who are registered chiropractors.
The General Council may by rules provide for the conversion, in prescribed circumstances and subject to the chiropractor concerned complying with such conditions (if any) as may be prescribed, of provisional registration into full registration.
Unless it is converted into full registration in accordance with the rules, any provisional registration shall cease to have effect at the end of the period of one year beginning with the date on which it is entered in the register.
A provisionally registered chiropractor shall not practise chiropractic except under the supervision of a fully registered chiropractor who is approved by the General Council for the purposes of this subsection.
The General Council shall maintain a list of those fully registered chiropractors who are for the time being approved by the Council for the purposes of subsection (5).
The register shall show, in relation to each registered chiropractor—
whether he is registered with full, conditional or provisional registration; and
the address at which he has his practice or principal practice or, if he is not practising, such address as may be prescribed.
The General Council may make rules in connection with registration and the register and as to the payment of fees.
The rules may, in particular, make provision as to—
the form and keeping of the register;
the form and manner in which applications for registration are to be made;
the documentary and other evidence which is to accompany applications for registration;
the manner in which the Registrar is to satisfy himself as to the good character and competence of any person applying for registration and the procedure for so doing;
the manner in which the Registrar is to satisfy himself as to the physical and mental health of any person applying for registration and the procedure for so doing;
the description of persons from whom references are to be provided for persons applying for registration;
in the case of an application for conditional registration, the conditions or kinds of condition which may be imposed on the chiropractor concerned;
the making, periodic renewal and removal of entries in the register;
the giving of reasons for any removal of, or refusal to renew, an entry in the register;
any failure on the part of a registered chiropractor to comply with any conditions subject to which his registration has effect, including provision for the Registrar to refuse to renew his registration or for the removal of his name from the register;
the issue and form of certificates;
the content, assessment and conduct of any test of competence imposed under section 4;
the meaning of “principal practice” for the purposes of subsection (1).
The rules may, in particular, also make provision—
prescribing the fee to be charged for making an entry in the register or restoring such an entry;
prescribing the fee to be charged in respect of the retention in the register of any entry in any year following the year in which the entry was first made;
providing for the entry in the register of qualifications (whether or not they are recognised qualifications) possessed by registered chiropractors and the removal of such an entry;
prescribing the fee to be charged in respect of the making or removal of any entry of a kind mentioned in paragraph (c);
authorising the Registrar—
to refuse to make an entry in the register, or restore such an entry, until the prescribed fee has been paid;
to remove from the register any entry relating to a person who, after the prescribed notice has been given, fails to pay the fee prescribed in respect of the retention of the entry.
A person who has failed to renew his registration as a chiropractor shall be entitled to have his entry restored to the register on payment of the prescribed fee.
Where the Registrar suspends the registration of a chiropractor in accordance with any provision of this Act, the Registrar shall enter in the register a note of—
the suspension;
the period of the suspension; and
the provision under which the suspension was made.
Where the period of the suspension is extended, the Registrar shall note the extension in the register.
Any chiropractor whose registration has been suspended shall, for the period of his suspension, cease to be a registered chiropractor for the purposes of section 32(1).
Where a person who has had his entry as a fully registered chiropractor removed from the register as the result of an order under section 22(4)(d) wishes to have his entry restored to the register he shall make an application for registration to the Registrar.
No such application may be made before the end of the period of ten months beginning with the date on which the order under section 22(4)(d) was made.
Any application for registration in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) (an “application for restoration”) shall be referred by the Registrar to the Professional Conduct Committee for determination by that Committee.
For the purposes of determining an application for restoration—
the Committee shall exercise the Registrar’s functions under section 3; and
subsection (2) of that section shall have effect as if paragraph (d) were omitted.
The Committee shall not grant an application for restoration unless it is satisfied that the applicant not only satisfies the requirements of section 3 (as modified) but, having regard in particular to the circumstances which led to the making of the order under section 22(4)(d), is also a fit and proper person to practise the profession of chiropractic.
On granting an application for restoration, the Committee—
shall direct the Registrar to register the applicant as a fully registered chiropractor; and
may make a conditions of practice order with respect to him.
The provisions of section 22 shall have effect in relation to a conditions of practice order made by virtue of subsection (6) as they have effect in relation to one made by virtue of subsection (4)(b) of that section.
The General Council may by rules make provision in relation to the restoration to the register of conditionally registered chiropractors or provisionally registered chiropractors, and any such rules may provide for restoration, in prescribed circumstances, as a fully registered chiropractor.
The General Council shall make the register available for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable times.
The General Council shall— publish a list (referred to in this section as the “published register”), giving the names and registered addresses of those who, at the date of publication, are registered chiropractors.
before the end of the period of twelve months which begins on the date on which the register is opened, and
at least once in every subsequent period of twelve months which begins on the anniversary of that date,
The published register shall also contain, in respect of each registered chiropractor, such other information, derived from the register, as may, by rules made by the General Council, be determined to be appropriate for publication.
Any chiropractor whose registration has been suspended shall, for the period of his suspension, cease to be a registered chiropractor for the purposes of subsections (2) and (3).
Any person who asks the General Council for a copy of the most recently published register shall be entitled to have one on payment of such reasonable fee as the Council may determine.
Subsection (5) shall not be taken as preventing the General Council from providing copies of the published register free of charge whenever it considers it appropriate.
Any copy of, or extract from, the published register shall be evidence (and in Scotland sufficient evidence) of the matters mentioned in it.
A certificate purporting to be signed by the Registrar, certifying that a person— shall be evidence (and in Scotland sufficient evidence) of the matters certified.
is registered in a specified category,
is not registered,
was registered in a specified category at a specified date or during a specified period,
was not registered in a specified category, or in any category, at a specified date or during a specified period, or
has never been registered,
The Registrar shall investigate any allegation that an entry in the register has been fraudulently procured or incorrectly made and report on the result of his investigation to the General Council.
An entry which has been restored to the register under section 6(5) or section 8, or under rules made by virtue of section 8(8), may be treated for the purposes of this section as having been fraudulently procured or incorrectly made if any previous entry from which the restored entry is derived was fraudulently procured or incorrectly made.
The Registrar may, at any time during his investigation, suspend the registration in question if he is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in order to protect members of the public.
The General Council shall by rules make provision, in relation to any case where the Registrar proposes to suspend a chiropractor’s registration under subsection (3)—
giving the chiropractor concerned an opportunity to appear before the Investigating Committee and argue his case against suspension;
allowing him to be legally represented; and
for the Registrar to be made a party to the proceedings.
If, having considered any report of the Registrar, the General Council is satisfied that the entry in question has been fraudulently procured or incorrectly made it may order the Registrar to remove the entry.
Where such an order is made, the Registrar shall without delay notify the person whose entry is to be removed—
of the order; and
of the right of appeal given by subsection (7).
Where such an order is made, the person whose entry is to be removed may appeal to Her Majesty in Council.
Any such appeal—
must be brought before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the order is made; and
shall be dealt with in accordance with rules made by Her Majesty by Order in Council for the purposes of this section.
On an appeal under this section, the General Council shall be the respondent.
The Judicial Committee Act 1833 shall apply in relation to the General Council as it applies in relation to any court from which an appeal lies to Her Majesty in Council.
Without prejudice to the application of that Act, on an appeal under this section to Her Majesty in Council the Judicial Committee may, in their report, recommend to Her Majesty in Council—
that the appeal be dismissed; or
that it be allowed and the order appealed against quashed.
The General Council may by rules make such further provision as it considers appropriate with respect to suspensions under subsection (3), including in particular provision as to their duration.
The Education Committee shall have the general duty of promoting high standards of education and training in chiropractic and keeping the provision made for that education and training under review.
Where it considers it to be necessary in connection with the discharge of its general duty, the Education Committee may itself provide, or arrange for the provision of, education or training.
The General Council shall consult the Education Committee on matters relating to education, training, examinations or tests of competence.
It shall be the duty of the Education Committee to give advice to the General Council on the matters mentioned in subsection (3), either on being consulted by the Council or where it considers it appropriate to do so.
The Education Committee may appoint persons to visit any place at which or institution by which or under whose direction—
any relevant course of study is, or is proposed to be, given;
any examination is, or is proposed to be, held in connection with any such course;
any test of competence is, or is proposed to be, conducted in connection with any such course or for any other purpose connected with this Act.
In subsection (1) “relevant course of study” means any course of study which forms, or is intended to form, part of—
the complete course of study required in order to obtain a recognised qualification or a qualification for which recognition is being sought; or
any training which a registered chiropractor may be required to undergo after registration.
No person appointed as a visitor may exercise his functions under this section in relation to—
any place at which he regularly gives instruction in any subject; or
any institution with which he has a significant connection.
A person shall not be prevented from being appointed as a visitor merely because he is a member of—
the General Council; or
any of its committees.
Where a visitor visits any place or institution, in the exercise of his functions under this section, he shall report to the Education Committee—
on the nature and quality of the instruction given, or to be given, and the facilities provided or to be provided, at that place or by that institution; and
on such other matters (if any) as he was required to report on by the Committee.
Requirements of the kind mentioned in subsection (5)(b) may be imposed by the Education Committee—
generally in relation to all visits;
generally in relation to all visits made to a specified kind of place or institution; or
specifically in relation to a particular visit.
Where a visitor reports to the Education Committee under subsection (5), the Committee shall on receipt of the report—
send a copy of it to the institution concerned; and
notify that institution of the period within which it may make observations on, or raise objections to, the report.
The period specified by the Committee in a notice given under subsection (7)(b) shall not be less than one month beginning with the date on which a copy of the report is sent to the institution under subsection (7)(a).
The Education Committee shall not take any steps in the light of any report made under subsection (5) before the end of the specified period.
The General Council may—
pay fees, allowances and expenses to persons appointed as visitors; or
treat any such person, for the purposes of paragraph 15(2)(c) to (e) of Schedule 1, as a member of its staff.
In the case of a visitor who is also such a member as is mentioned in subsection (4), any payment made to him in his capacity as a visitor shall be in addition to any to which he is entitled as such a member.
The General Council shall from time to time determine the standard of proficiency which, in its opinion, is required for the competent and safe practice of chiropractic.
The Council shall publish a statement of the standard of proficiency determined by it under this section.
If the Council at any time varies the standard so determined it shall publish a statement of the revised standard, accompanied by a statement of the differences between that standard and the standard as it was immediately before the revision.
No variation of the standard shall have effect before the end of the period of one year beginning with the date on which the Council publishes the statements required by subsection (3) in connection with that variation.
For the purposes of this Act, a qualification is a “recognised qualification” if it is recognised by the General Council under this section.
Where the General Council is satisfied that— it may, with the approval of the Privy Council, recognise that qualification for the purposes of this Act.
a qualification granted by an institution in the United Kingdom is evidence of having reached the required standard of proficiency, or
a qualification which such an institution proposes to grant will be evidence of having reached that standard,
Where the General Council is satisfied that a qualification granted by an institution outside the United Kingdom is evidence of having reached the required standard of proficiency, or of reaching a comparable standard, it may, with the approval of the Privy Council, recognise that qualification for the purposes of this Act.
The General Council may by rules— in the case of any application for registration based on a person’s holding a qualification which is recognised under subsection (3).
impose additional conditions for registration, or
provide for any provision made by this Act in relation to conditions for registration to have effect subject to prescribed modifications,
The General Council shall maintain and publish a list of the qualifications which are for the time being recognised under this section.
Before deciding whether or not to recognise a qualification under this section, the General Council shall consult the Education Committee.
When requesting the approval of the Privy Council for the purposes of subsection (2) or (3), the General Council shall make available to the Privy Council—
the information provided to it by the Education Committee; or
where the Privy Council considers it appropriate, a summary of that information.
The Privy Council shall have regard to the information made available to it under subsection (7) before deciding whether or not to give its approval.
The General Council may by rules make provision requiring the Education Committee to publish a statement indicating—
matters on which the Committee will wish to be satisfied before advising the General Council to recognise a qualification under subsection (2); and
matters which may cause the Committee to advise the General Council not to recognise a qualification under subsection (2).
Where, by virtue of Community law a person (“the chiropractor”) is to be authorised to practise the profession of chiropractic on the same conditions as a person who holds a recognised qualification—
the chiropractor shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as having a recognised qualification; but
the General Council may, subject to Community law, require him to satisfy specified additional conditions before being registered.
In subsection (10) “Community law” means any enforceable Community right or any enactment giving effect to a Community obligation.
A qualification may be recognised by the General Council under section 14—
only in respect of awards of that qualification made after a specified date;
only in respect of awards made before a specified date; or
only in respect of awards made after a specified date but before a specified date.
Any date specified under subsection (1) may be earlier than the date on which this Act is passed.
Where the General Council recognises a qualification in one or other of the limited ways allowed for by subsection (1), the limitation shall be specified in the list issued by the Council under section 14(5).
The General Council may, in recognising a qualification under section 14, direct that the qualification is to remain a recognised qualification only so long as such conditions as the General Council sees fit to impose are complied with in relation to the qualification.
Any such condition may at any time be removed by the General Council.
The General Council shall not exercise any of its functions under subsection (4) or (5) without the approval of the Privy Council.
Any institution which is, or is likely to be, affected by a direction given by the General Council under subsection (4) shall be notified by the Council of the direction as soon as is reasonably practicable.
Where an application is made by any institution for the recognition of a qualification under section 14, the General Council shall notify the institution of the result of its application as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Council determines the application.
Where the General Council refuses such an application it shall, when notifying the institution concerned, give reasons for its refusal.
Where, as a result of any visitor’s report or other information acquired by the Education Committee, the Committee is of the opinion— it shall refer the matter to the General Council.
that a recognised qualification is no longer, or will no longer be, evidence of having reached the required standard of proficiency,
that a proposed qualification which has yet to be granted, but which was recognised by virtue of section 14(2)(b), will not be evidence of having reached that standard, or
that a condition for the continued recognition of a qualification (imposed under section 15(4)) has not been complied with,
If the General Council is satisfied that the circumstances of the case are as mentioned in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) it may, with the approval of the Privy Council, direct that the qualification is no longer to be a recognised qualification for the purposes of this Act.
A direction under subsection (2) shall have effect from the date of the direction or from such later date as may be specified in the direction.
In considering any matter referred to it under subsection (1), the General Council shall have regard to the information on which the Education Committee formed its opinion together with any other relevant information which the Council may have.
When requesting the approval of the Privy Council for the purposes of subsection (2), the General Council shall make available to the Privy Council the information to which it had regard under subsection (4).
The Privy Council shall have regard to the information made available to it under subsection (5) before deciding whether or not to give its approval.
Where the recognition of any qualification is withdrawn under this section, the General Council shall use its best endeavours to secure that any person who is studying for that qualification at any place, at the time when recognition is withdrawn, is given the opportunity to study at that or any other place for a qualification which is recognised.
The withdrawal under this section of recognition from any qualification shall not affect the entitlement of any person to be registered by reference to an award of that qualification made to him before the date on which the direction withdrawing recognition had effect.
The General Council may make rules requiring registered chiropractors to undertake further courses of training.
The rules may, in particular, make provision with respect to registered chiropractors who fail to comply with any requirements of the rules, including provision for their registration to cease to have effect.
Before making, or varying, any rules under this section the General Council shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to consult those who are registered chiropractors and such other persons as the Council considers appropriate.
This section applies to any institution by which, or under whose direction—
any relevant course of study is, or is proposed to be, given;
any examination is, or is proposed to be, held in connection with any such course; or
any test of competence is, or is proposed to be, conducted in connection with any such course or for any other purpose connected with this Act.
In subsection (1) “relevant course of study” has the same meaning as in section 12.
Whenever required to do so by the Education Committee, any such institution shall give to the Committee such information as the Committee may reasonably require in connection with the exercise of its functions under this Act.
The matters with respect to which the Education Committee may require information under subsection (3) include—
the requirements which must be met by any person pursuing the course of study, undergoing the course of training or taking the examination or test in question;
the financial position of the institution;
the efficiency of the institution’s management.
Where an institution refuses any reasonable request for information made by the Education Committee under this section, the Committee may recommend to the General Council that recognition of the qualification in question be either—
refused, or
withdrawn.
Where a recommendation is made to the General Council under subsection (5), the Council may—
in a case to which subsection (5)(a) applies, refuse to recognise the qualification under section 14; or
in a case to which subsection (5)(b) applies, give a direction under section 16(2) (with the required approval of the Privy Council) in respect of the qualification.
The General Council shall prepare and from time to time publish a Code of Practice—
laying down standards of conduct and practice expected of registered chiropractors; and
giving advice in relation to the practice of chiropractic.
It shall be the duty of the General Council to keep the Code under review and to vary its provisions whenever the Council considers it appropriate to do so.
Before issuing the Code or varying it, the General Council shall consult such representatives of practising chiropractors as it considers appropriate.
Where any person is alleged to have failed to comply with any provision of the Code, that failure—
shall not be taken, of itself, to constitute unacceptable professional conduct on his part; but
shall be taken into account in any proceedings against him under this Act.
Any person who asks the General Council for a copy of the Code shall be entitled to have one on payment of such reasonable fee as the Council may determine.
Subsection (5) is not to be taken as preventing the General Council from providing copies of the Code free of charge whenever it considers it appropriate.
This section applies where any allegation is made against a registered chiropractor to the effect that—
he has been guilty of conduct which falls short of the standard required of a registered chiropractor;
he has been guilty of professional incompetence;
he has been convicted (at any time) in the United Kingdom of a criminal offence; or
his ability to practise as a chiropractor is seriously impaired because of his physical or mental condition.
In this Act conduct which falls short of the standard required of a registered chiropractor is referred to as “unacceptable professional conduct”.
Where an allegation is made to the General Council, or to any of its committees (other than the Investigating Committee), it shall be the duty of the Council or committee to refer the allegation to the Investigating Committee.
The General Council may make rules requiring any allegation which is made or referred to the Investigating Committee to be referred for preliminary consideration to a person appointed by the Council in accordance with the rules.
Any rules made under subsection (4)—
may allow for the appointment of persons who are members of the General Council; but
may not allow for the appointment of the Registrar.
Any person to whom an allegation is referred by the Investigating Committee in accordance with rules made under subsection (4) shall—
consider the allegation with a view to establishing whether, in his opinion, power is given by this Act to deal with it if it proves to be well founded; and
if he considers that such power is given, give the Investigating Committee a report of the result of his consideration.
Where there are rules in force under subsection (4), the Investigating Committee shall investigate any allegation with respect to which it is given a report by a person appointed under the rules.
Where there are no such rules in force, the Investigating Committee shall investigate any allegation which is made or referred to it.
Where the Investigating Committee is required to investigate any allegation, it shall—
notify the registered chiropractor concerned of the allegation and invite him to give it his observations before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which notice of the allegation is sent to him;
take such steps as are reasonably practicable to obtain as much information as possible about the case; and
consider, in the light of the information which it has been able to obtain and any observations duly made to it by the registered chiropractor concerned, whether in its opinion there is a case to answer.
The General Council shall by rules make provision as to the procedure to be followed by the Investigating Committee in any investigation carried out by it under this section.
In the case of an allegation of a kind mentioned in subsection (1)(c), the Investigating Committee may conclude that there is no case to answer if it considers that the criminal offence in question has no material relevance to the fitness of the chiropractor concerned to practise chiropractic.
Where the Investigating Committee concludes that there is a case to answer, it shall—
notify both the chiropractor concerned and the person making the allegation of its conclusion; and
refer the allegation, as formulated by the Investigating Committee—
to the Health Committee, in the case of an allegation of a kind mentioned in subsection (1)(d); or
to the Professional Conduct Committee, in the case of an allegation of any other kind.
Where the Investigating Committee concludes that there is no case to answer, it shall notify both the chiropractor concerned and the person making the allegation.
In this section “allegation” means an allegation of a kind mentioned in subsection (1).
This section applies where, under section 20, the Investigating Committee is investigating an allegation against a registered chiropractor.
If the Committee is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in order to protect members of the public, it may order the Registrar to suspend the chiropractor’s registration.
The order shall specify the period of the suspension, which shall not exceed two months beginning with the date on which the order is made.
The Committee shall not—
make an order in any case after it has referred the allegation in question to the Professional Conduct Committee or the Health Committee; or
make more than one order in respect of the same allegation.
Before making an order, the Investigating Committee shall give the chiropractor concerned an opportunity to appear before it and to argue his case against the making of the proposed order.
At any such hearing the chiropractor shall be entitled to be legally represented.
Where an allegation has been referred to the Professional Conduct Committee under section 20 or by virtue of any rule made under section 26(2)(a), it shall be the duty of the Committee to consider the allegation.
If, having considered it, the Committee is satisfied that the allegation is well founded it shall proceed as follows.
If the allegation is of a kind mentioned in section 20(1)(c), the Committee may take no further action if it considers that the criminal offence in question has no material relevance to the fitness of the chiropractor concerned to practise chiropractic.
Otherwise, the Committee shall take one of the following steps—
admonish the chiropractor;
make an order imposing conditions with which he must comply while practising as a chiropractor (a “conditions of practice order”);
order the Registrar to suspend the chiropractor’s registration for such period as may be specified in the order (a “suspension order”); or
order the Registrar to remove the chiropractor’s name from the register.
A conditions of practice order must specify one or both of the following—
the period for which the order is to have effect;
a test of competence which must be taken by the chiropractor.
A conditions of practice order shall cease to have effect—
if a period is specified in the order, when that period ends;
if no such period is specified but a test of competence is so specified, when the chiropractor concerned passes the test; or
if both a period and a test are so specified, when the period ends or when the chiropractor concerned passes the test, whichever is the later to occur.
At any time while a conditions of practice order is in force under this section or by virtue of a recommendation under section 31(8)(c), the Committee may (whether or not of its own motion)—
extend, or further extend, the period for which the order has effect;
revoke or vary any of the conditions;
require the chiropractor concerned to pass a test of competence specified by the Committee;
reduce the period for which the order has effect; or
revoke the order.
Where the period for which a conditions of practice order has effect is extended or reduced under subsection (7), or a test of competence is specified under that subsection, subsection (6) shall have effect as if—
the period specified in the conditions of practice order was the extended or reduced period; and
the test of competence was specified in that order.
At any time while a suspension order is in force with respect to a chiropractor under this section or by virtue of a recommendation under section 31(8)(c), the Committee may (whether or not of its own motion)—
extend, or further extend, the period of suspension; and
make a conditions of practice order with which the chiropractor must comply if he resumes the practice of chiropractic after the end of his period of suspension.
The period specified in a conditions of practice order or in a suspension order under this section, and any extension of a specified period under subsection (7) or (9), shall not in each case exceed three years.
Before exercising its powers under subsection (4), (7) or (9), the Committee shall give the chiropractor concerned an opportunity to appear before it and to argue his case.
At any such hearing the chiropractor shall be entitled to be legally represented.
In exercising its powers under subsection (7) or (9), the Committee shall ensure that the conditions imposed on the chiropractor concerned are, or the period of suspension imposed on him is, the minimum which it considers necessary for the protection of members of the public.
The Committee shall, before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the commencement of this section, and at least once in every succeeding period of twelve months, publish a report setting out—