FAQs on hearings during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

I have an MPT hearing scheduled. Is this still going ahead and where will it be held?

Unless we have informed you that your hearing has been postponed, your hearing remains listed to proceed as scheduled. This applies to all types of MPT hearing, including new, review, restoration and non-compliance hearings.

If you have already been notified that your hearing will take place in the hearing centre or virtually:

• Your hearing will still proceed in line with the notification you have received, unless we contact you to confirm a change. If your hearing is due to be held at the hearing centre and you now wish to request a virtual hearing, please contact MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org as soon as possible. 
• If you have not yet been notified of whether your hearing will take place virtually or in the hearing centre, we will make decisions and inform parties as sson as possible as to whether their hearing will be virtual or at our hearing centre. Final confirmation will be provided when the MPTS Notice of Hearing is issued.  

Our guidance on Deciding how to hold hearings from August 2020 explains the factors we will consider when deciding whether to hold a hearing virtually or at our hearing centre. The majority of MPTS hearings are being held virtually, so if you believe your hearing needs to be held at the hearing centre, please contact MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org if you have not already done so. 

I have an IOT hearing scheduled. Is this still going ahead?

Most interim orders tribunal (IOT) hearings are being held virtually or on the papers. Parties may send queries in writing to iotadmin@mpts-uk.org. 

I need to make an application about a hearing. When will it be considered?

Applications related to hearings should be made in writing and will be considered by an MPTS Case Manager at the earliest opportunity. Applications should be sent to MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org. 

I'd like to use the Doctor Contact Service. How is it running at the moment?

The Doctor Contact Service is a confidential support service for doctors. Its aim is to help lessen the isolation and stress doctors may encounter, signpost useful support material and services and provide information about the hearing process.

This service is running remotely. To get in touch with the Doctor Contact Service please email doctorcontactservice@mpts-uk.org. Provide your name, contact number and a date and time between 10am and 4pm (Monday-Friday) when you're available to receive a call back.

The Doctor Contact Service cannot discuss a specific case or provide legal advice. Please let the team know if you need them to make any adjustments to the service when contacting them on the above email address.

I'd like to use the Hearing Information Line. How is it running at the moment?

The Hearing Information Line allows doctors to speak to somebody, free of charge, about what to expect when attending their hearing and how best to prepare. The service is run by student volunteers from BPP University School of Law, particularly to help doctors intending to represent themselves at their hearing.

This service must be contacted via email in the first instance. To contact the Hearing Information Line and arrange a call back please email doctorinfoservice@my.bpp.com.

When emailing please include brief details of your query, your contact number and details of when you're available to receive a call back. A volunteer will call you back within 24 hours of receipt of your message during the week. If you get in touch over the weekend you will be contacted the next working day.

My hearing has not yet been listed, when will this happen?

We cannot say with certainty when individual hearings will be listed. We are working to list hearings as quickly as possible. When listing a hearing we’re taking into account the criteria explained here.

Parties will be contacted when we are ready to make arrangements for individual hearings, including new and review, restoration and non-compliance hearings.

Can I submit comments about the relisting of my MPT hearing?

Our Case Management team will contact parties when we are ready to make arrangements for individual hearings, and parties will have an opportunity to comment at that time. However, if parties or their representatives need to raise any urgent issues in the meantime, they may send any comments in writing to an MPTS Case Manager at MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org.

I’ve made or need to make a joinder application for a hearing that isn’t listed. When will it be considered?

Joinder applications for hearings which aren’t listed yet are being processed as quickly as possible. Please contact our Case Management Team for further information on your specific application. 

Are you receiving new referrals?

Yes. The MPTS is continuing to receive new MPT referrals, but we aren’t able to make arrangements to list new MPT hearings as quickly as usual at the moment.

What do the restrictions in England mean for my hearing?

All hearings are being held  virtually unless there is a need for a hearing to be held at our hearing centre. 

Hearings may be held in St James's Buildings if: 

• The needs of the participants cannot be met by a virtual hearing. 
• The circumstances of the case make it unsuitable for a virtual hearing. 

We require everyone attending the hearing centre to wear a face covering. See our FAQ about face coverings for more detail.

Should I wear a face covering around the hearing centre or in a hearing?

We will continue to follow UK Government and Public Health England advice. In line with other courts and tribunals you should wear a face covering when entering and moving around St James's Buildings, unless you are exempt. Face coverings are available from reception if you have forgotten yours. 

There may be practical considerations to bear in mind if you choose to wear a face covering while giving evidence. If wearing a face covering interferes with your evidence being heard, the tribunal may address this.

I am due to attend a hearing at St James’s Buildings. What should I expect when I arrive?

We have put extensive safety measures in place, so we can run hearings in the safest way possible. You can watch a video of what to expect above. 

Unless exempt, you should wear a face covering when you arrive at St James's Buildings and when you are moving around the hearing centre. 

You should enter St James's Buildings through the main lift lobby on Oxford Street and go to the 7th floor, following the social distancing measures in these areas. There will be a limit to the number of people who can use the lifts at one time.

On the 7th floor you will see barriers and floor markings guiding you through to our reception desk, where you should check in. If you are a doctor, you will be allocated a room for the duration of your hearing and our reception staff will give you further details about this and the location of your hearing. Rooms will be allocated for individual use. If you are not a doctor reception staff tell you where you should wait.

Hearing rooms will be set up in a way to allow social distancing to be maintained and we ask that you adhere to social distancing protocols at all times whilst in the hearing centre.

Our staff will be on site to assist you. For your and their safety please follow any instructions they give you and ensure you wear a face covering and stay a safe distance from them at all times.

What safety measures have been put in place?

We have put extensive measures in place to ensure we are able to run hearings at St James’s Buildings as safely as possible. You will be familiar with many of the steps we have taken, such as floor markings and social distancing measures. There will also be extra cleaning throughout the building, focusing particularly on the areas that are most used. Unless exempt, you should wear a face covering when moving around the building.

You can also read our risk assessment: MPTS – Running limited hearings during COVID-19 outbreak

Can I bring someone to support me?

To ensure the hearing centre is as safe as possible we are keen to limit the number of people on site at any time. However, we understand that you may need to bring someone with you for support. Below, we set out how you should notify us and ask that you give two weeks’ notice to allow us to make the necessary arrangements.

If you are a party to a hearing

Please let us know in advance who will be in attendance, so we can ensure there is enough seating space in the hearing room. Otherwise, we will assume no more than the doctor, their legal representative and a legal representative for the General Medical Council will be in attendance.

If you are a witness in a hearing

We would expect no more than one person to be in attendance to support you. A representative for the side you have been called to give evidence for should let us know in advance if you intend to bring someone, so we can make the necessary arrangements.

If you are a doctor

We will assume no more than one person will be in attendance to support you unless you tell us otherwise. If you have legal representation, a representative from your team should let us know in advance if you intend to bring someone, so we can make the necessary arrangements.

If you still need to get in touch you can email enquiries@mpts-uk.org.

I am not sure if my personal circumstances will enable me to participate in a hearing at St James's Buildings. Can you help?

Please make sure you or your legal representative provides us with information about your needs, including any requests for reasonable adjustments, as soon as possible. You should provide this information at an early stage, so that we can explore what reasonable steps we can take to support your participation without delays.

To do so, contact:

• iotadmin@mpts-uk.org for interim orders tribunals
• MPTSCaseManagementTeam@mpts-uk.org for medical practitioners tribunals

How have you decided which hearings should take place at St James’s Buildings?

All hearings are being held virtually unless there is a need for a hearing to be held at our hearing centre. 

Hearings may be held in St James's Buildings if: 

• The needs of the participants cannot be met by a virtual hearing. 
• The circumstances of the case make it unsuitable for a virtual hearing. 

Our guidance on Deciding how to hold hearings from August 2020 explains the factors we consider when deciding whether to hold a hearing virtually or at St James's Buildings. 

What about lunches and other breaks?

We are keen that you limit leaving the hearing centre as much as possible and advise that you bring your lunch with you if you can. There are social distancing measures in place throughout the building, people are asked to wear face coverings and use designated entrances and exits.

If you do need to leave the building, we ask that you follow ours and the landlord’s guidelines around entering and exiting the building and adhere to social distancing and face covering protocols when outside of St James's Buildings.

What about the paperwork used during a hearing? 

Please read our guidance on requirements for hearing bundles for medical practitioners tribunal hearings. We will contact you if a decision is made that departs from our usual guidance. 

How will fire evacuation procedures work?

We will keep this under close review but given the  number of hearings we’re running the normal evacuation process is sufficient to allow us to safely exit the building while maintaining social distancing. 

What happens if someone in my hearing, someone in the hearing centre or someone else I have had close contact with displays symptoms of or tests positive for coronavirus?

We are following the latest advice from UK government and Public Health England on what to do in these circumstances. We are keeping the guidance under close review and will respond accordingly.

A senior MPTS manager is on site to deal with any concerns. 

If you have any symptoms, please do not come to the hearing centre. You can update us by emailing enquiries@mpts-uk.org. 

I've been asked to take part in a virtual hearing. How does this work?

Virtual hearings are being held using Skype for Business. Parties taking part in a virtual hearing should read this guidance on how to set up Skype for Business and advice on attending a virtual hearing.

I am not sure if my personal circumstances will enable me to participate in the hearing using Skype for Business. Can you help?

We can provide support before and during the hearing to help parties access Skype for Business (a free app) so they can participate effectively. The tribunal will make sure appropriate support is provided to ensure a fair hearing. If you have a disability, we may be able to make adjustments to the way we approach a virtual hearing at the request of anyone participating in a hearing. We consider these requests on a case by case basis in the same way we do for all hearings.

If specific reasonable adjustments are required please contact us before the hearing, following the instructions in the notice of hearing letter you receive from us. You can find further information on our commitment to equality and diversity and information about the built-in accessibility support features of Skype for Business.

Can I observe a virtual hearing?

It is possible to observe a virtual hearing, so long as it is in public session. We have viewing galleries at our Manchester hearing centre, which are set up with a screen to allow observation via video link.

You should give us two weeks’ notice, where possible, if you would like to observe a virtual hearing to allow us to set this up safely. We cannot guarantee you will be able to observe a hearing if you arrive without notice. You can arrange to view a hearing by emailing enquiries@mpts-uk.org and a member of our team will be in touch.

If you are unable to attend, but are interested in the outcome of a hearing, our tribunals’ full decisions are published on our website shortly after the hearing concludes. 

Members of the press can get in touch with the press office for up to date decisions throughout a hearing in the normal way.

Email: pressoffice@mpts-uk.org

Phone: 0161 250 6868

Can I observe a hearing at St James's Buildings?

It is possible to observe a hearing at our Manchester hearing centre in the normal way, so long as it is in public session. It is possible to do so from the public gallery within the hearing room, which will be set up to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

You should give us two weeks’ notice if you would like to observe a hearing at St James's Buildings to allow us to set this up safely. You can do so by emailing enquiries@mpts-uk.org and a member of our team will be in touch.

If you are unable to attend, but are interested in the outcome of a hearing, our tribunals’ full decisions are published on our website within two working days, in most cases.

Members of the press can get in touch with the press office for up to date decisions throughout a hearing in the normal way.

Email: pressoffice@mpts-uk.org

Phone: 0161 250 6868

What is a hearing ‘on the papers’?

In some cases where both parties agree on a proposed outcome it may be possible for the case to proceed on the papers. This means the case will be reviewed by a tribunal chair, in most cases, without the need for the doctor or the GMC to attend a full hearing. Reviews on the papers are not new, but we will be extending their use where possible during this time.

More information about reviews on the papers.