The General Teaching Council for England (Disciplinary Functions) Regulations 2001

Proceedings of Professional Conduct Committees and Professional Competence Committees

11.—(1) A Committee shall determine cases against registered teachers referred to them by an Investigating Committee in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (6), regulations 12 to 15 and rules made by the Council under regulation 16.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), a Committee shall determine all cases, applications under regulation 20 or 22 or matters arising in relation to disciplinary orders under regulation 21 following a hearing.

(3) A Committee may determine a case, application under regulation 20 or 22 or matter arising in relation to a disciplinary order under regulation 21 without a hearing at the written request of the registered teacher against whom disciplinary proceedings are being taken or against whom the disciplinary order was made unless it appears to them necessary in the interests of justice or the public interest to hold a public hearing.

(4) A Committee may decide at any time after a case is referred to them by an Investigating Committee to discontinue that case, and if they decide to discontinue a case they shall inform the teacher concerned and when they do so they shall at the same time inform him if they decided that the case against him was not proved.

(5) Where they do not find the case against a registered teacher proved, a Committee shall at his request publish a statement to that effect.

(6) Where they find a registered teacher—

(a)to have been guilty of unacceptable professional conduct or serious professional incompetence; or

(b)to have been convicted (at any time) of a relevant offence,

a Committee may make a disciplinary order in relation to him in accordance with regulation 18.