Patel v General Medical Council, 2003 UKPC 16
Citation: Patel v General Medical Council, 2003 UKPC 16
Rule of thumb: Are there standards of morality which a licensing body should be holding professionals to? Yes, there is a higher standard of conduct expected of professionals & licensing bodies must enforce these in order for the public to have confidence in the profession.
Judgment:
The Court in this case recognised that the underlying purpose of licensing disciplinary matters is so that when a few people in a sector do something without reprisal, the public do not presume that they are all doing it, and it damages them economically as well as their standing in the community, ‘The reputation of the profession is more important than the fortunes of any individual member. Membership of a profession brings many benefits, but that is part of the price’, Lord Bingham MR (referred to in this case)
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