What this means
Start with the exact decision in front of you.
The PCC hears conduct, competence and relevant conviction cases referred by the Investigating Committee. It may hear witnesses remotely and must decide facts and the statutory allegation before any sanction.
Immediate priorities
Organise the position before responding.
Audit allegations, directions and the hearing bundle
Prepare witnesses from first-hand evidence
Organise submissions by facts, threshold and outcome
Detailed guidance
The procedure, evidence and possible route from here.
01
Prepare from the referred allegation
The Professional Conduct Committee hears referred allegations of unacceptable professional conduct, professional incompetence and relevant convictions. Obtain the formal allegation, directions and GCC evidence bundle. Compare them with the Investigating Committee material and mark any changed particulars. Create separate plans for fact findings, the statutory threshold and sanction so that mitigation does not become an unintended factual or professional admission.
GCC hearings are currently conducted remotely by video and are normally public, with allegations published in advance, commonly 28 days before the hearing. Privacy may be available for confidential or vulnerable evidence. Address technology, witness attendance, adjustments and any privacy application through case management rather than on the hearing morning. Public listing alone does not establish the allegation or any underlying fact.
- Use the current referred allegation
- Plan facts, threshold and sanction separately
- Resolve remote-hearing and privacy arrangements early
02
Test records, witnesses and experts
Index clinical records, consent evidence, communications, policies and statements against each particular. Witnesses should give first-hand evidence and identify documents used to refresh memory. Do not coach a uniform account or alter clinical notes. Where the complaint concerns competence, examine the expert's qualifications, instructions, assumptions, methodology, clinical standard, cited literature and use of the Code applicable when the conduct occurred.
The Code of Professional Practice applies from 1 January 2026, while earlier conduct may fall under the preceding Code. Make the time boundary explicit where a case spans the change. A code departure can assist the committee but does not decide whether the statutory threshold is met. Current remediation should be specific, dated and supported by audit or observed practice rather than training certificates alone.
- Reference evidence to every factual particular
- Prepare witnesses from personal knowledge
- Apply the correct Code version
03
Address outcome and publication
If the PCC finds an allegation well founded, it may admonish, impose conditions, suspend or remove the chiropractor. Use current sanctions principles while recognising older guidance may quote the superseded Code. Conditions must be measurable and capable of operation in the chiropractor's actual setting. Explain insight, remediation and risk of repetition without minimising patient impact or conceding disputed facts inaccurately.
Obtain the written reasons, operative order and any interim suspension covering the appeal period. Check the register and published decision for accuracy. A PCC decision may be appealed to the High Court in England and Wales or the Court of Session in Scotland, generally within 28 days. The Professional Standards Authority may separately review final decisions for legal sufficiency and public protection.
- Use sanctions guidance with the correct Code
- Test conditions for real-world operation
- Record the court appeal deadline
Key questions
Keep the analysis tied to this stage.
Which allegations are proved
Whether conduct or competence meets the statutory threshold
What action is proportionate
Advice is provided only by the regulated firm that accepts a matter.
Common questions
Clarifying the route without assuming the outcome.
Are GCC PCC hearings public?
Current GCC guidance says formal hearings are normally public and conducted remotely, with privacy available in appropriate cases.
Can the PCC remove a chiropractor from the register?
Yes. Where an allegation is well founded, PCC powers include admonishment, conditions, suspension and removal.
Connected guidance
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Use the hub for the full sequence or choose the connected route that matches the notice.
Official sources
Check the material for this question.
Sources checked 19 September 2026. Rules change, so compare the current notice and linked official material and tell the operator if a citation or summary needs correction.