Fitness to Practise Solicitors

Facing a fitness to practise panel can be hugely intimidating for even the most prepared individual. As a failure to pass can see your licence revoked or being permanently barred from your profession, it is essential that you give yourself the best possible chance to put your case forward and demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism.

Please note: we are only able to take on cases on a privately paying basis. If you are unable to privately fund your case or you looking for general guidance on what actions you can take to protect you or your child’s education rights, you can refer to the Education section of the Citizens Advice website.

As part of an investigation, your long-term and immediate conduct will be reviewed in full. This will potentially include questions around:

• Ethical violations
• Fraud and financial misconduct
• Practising beyond your professional scope
• Previous convictions and cautions
• Responding to allegations of dishonesty
• Sexual misconduct
• Substance abuse
• Other relevant, equally serious avenues

Given the gravity of some of these avenues, it is critical that you secure quality legal representation to guarantee the highest levels of support possible.

At IBB Law, we have extensive experience advising a range of professionals in relation to fitness to practise proceedings. We can provide clear advice on your situation and options, as well as professional representation for fitness to practise panel hearings.

We have assisted many student and professional practitioners who find themselves in this situation, allowing them to put the best possible case forward and ensure that they are given the best protection and advice.

Our team will work with you to review the facts surrounding your case and help formulate the best possible argument in support of your practise. We will work closely with you to help provide an effective defence. And, if required, help in challenging any findings or work to reduce any sanctions placed upon you.

We offer a fixed fee initial consultation with our team to discuss your needs and see how we can help.  This will allow us to understand more about your unique situation, help provide initial guidance, and begin formulating a plan to provide the best professional protection possible. We then charge for our services on a fixed fee basis, providing certainty over the costs involved.

If you want to learn more about our capacity to help in a fitness to practise situation, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

What is Fitness to Practise?

Undertaking a ‘fitness to practise’ review is a highly demanding process that sees professionals formally reviewed to ensure that they are meeting their industry’s agreed standards.

Fitness to practise proceedings involve the assessment of an individual’s range of relevant skills, sectoral knowledge, and that they possess the judgement and character required to hold a license and continue operating in their chosen field. This can also extend to an individual’s conduct outside of their role and often results in a significant ‘grey area’ that can be difficult for those under assessment to negotiate.

Reviews of this kind are most commonly applied to highly regulated public-facing fields such as medicine – with doctors, dentists, nurses, and midwives often coming into review. There are other equivalents in fields where professional licences are required such as throughout the educational sector or in certain industrial fields.

Get clear legal advice and support for fitness to practise proceedings

If you would like to know more about how we can help you with your education law enquiry, please contact our education law senior legal administrator, Rachael, on 01895 207230 or by email on educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk