The General Osteopathic Council (Professional Conduct Committee) (Procedure) Rules Order of Council 2000

Interpretation

2.  In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires:

“the Act” means the Osteopaths Act 1993;

“case relating to conduct or incompetence” means a case where a question arises as to whether the osteopath may have been guilty of unacceptable professional conduct or professional incompetence within the meaning of secton 20 of the Act;

“case relating to conviction” means a case where it is alleged that an osteopath has been convicted of a criminal offence whether or not while registered in the United Kingdom;

“the Chairman” means the Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee;

“the Committee” means the Professional Conduct Committee established under section 1(5)(c) of the Act;

“the complainant” means a person who has made an allegation against an osteopath to the effect specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of secton 20(1) of the Act;

“complaint” means the written statement formulated by the Solicitor in accordance with rule 4 of these Rules;

“the Council” means the General Osteopathic Council or a Committee performing the functions of the Council delegated to it under paragraph 15(2)(i) of the Schedule to the Act;

“the Investigating Committee” means the Committee established under section 1(5)(b) of the Act;

“the Health Committee” means the Committee established under section 1(5)(d) of the Act;

“legal assessor” means an assessor appointed by the Council under section 27 of the Act;

“medical assessor” means an assessor appointed by the Council under section 28 of the Act;

“osteopath” means a registered osteopath about whom an allegation as to his fitness to practise has been made and includes a person whose registration is currently suspended;

“a party to proceedings” means the Council or the osteopath;

“the Screener” means a person appointed in accordance with rules made under section 20 of the Act to give preliminary consideration to allegations on behalf of the Council;

“the Solicitor” means any Solicitor representing the Council and presenting evidence to the Committee of the allegation against an osteopath and includes Counsel instructed to represent the Council in connection with any such case.