Professions

The appellant was a practising dentist. The respondent was the General Dental Council, the professional body responsible for regulating the profession. Following a hearing, the respondent’s professional conduct committee (the committee) determined that conditions on practising should be imposed on the appellant on the ground that his fitness to practise was impaired. In a subsequent review, the respondent found that he had not complied with two conditions. The appellant admitted the breaches but denied culpability. The respondent recognised the appellant’s lack of culpability but, as a result of the breach, extended one of the conditions for a further nine months. The appellant appealed. In dismissing the appeal, the Court held that it could only interfere if it was persuaded that the specialist tribunal’s decision was "clearly inappropriate".