Andrew Hockton wins case against the GMC in the Administrative Court
8th August 2025
The GMC made an application for an extension of an interim order on the doctor’s registration, pursuant to section 41A(6) of the Medical Act 1983. The doctor had been under investigation by the police in relation to a serious sexual offence. The police investigation had closed with no action, and the GMC’s own investigation had made limited progress since then. The alleged offence did not involve a patient or colleague of the doctor. On behalf of the doctor, it was argued that the statutory test for an extension was not satisfied. There was no issue of patient safety and no public interest in the imposition of an interim order. Any residual public interest there might be was heavily outweighed, on the facts of the case, by the doctor’s own interests. HHJ Halliwell, sitting as a deputy High Court Judge, dismissed the GMC’s application, revoked the current interim order and made a costs order against the GMC. The judge also made an anonymity order on behalf of the doctor.
The doctor was represented by Andrew Hockton, instructed by Brendan Costello from Gordons Partnership.
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