Hearing preparation
- Before any hearing commences, it is important that both the parties and the tribunal prepare appropriately.
The parties (the GMC and PA or AA)
- The parties should ensure that they have complied with any case management directions issued by an MPTS case manager, or by any tribunal who has considered the matter on a previous occasion. This includes submitting bundles of evidence for the tribunal to read in advance. When preparing bundles the parties should comply with the Guidance for decision makers, parties and representatives on hearing bundles.
- The parties should make any necessary applications in respect of witnesses as soon as they become aware of the need for them, and ensure that they refer any witness they are asking to give evidence for the hearing to the Witness guide to hearings. There is also specific guidance to assist witnesses to understand how to participate in Virtual hearings and hearings that take place at the MPTS hearing centre.
- The parties are responsible for ensuring that any support needs required for a witness they are calling, outside of the hearing room, are in place. The MPTS support service can explain how the hearing process works or assist in signposting or making referrals to support services where such needs are identified and considered appropriate. Read further information about the MPTS support service.
- The parties should notify the MPTS if any individual participating in a hearing needs adjustments to be made for them to ensure fairness in the proceedings as soon as they become aware of the need for them.
The tribunal
- The tribunal should review the content of any bundles provided by the parties prior to the hearing. They must also review any case management directions, where applicable, and be ready to address any outstanding issues and failure to adhere to directions at the commencement of the hearing.