Jurisdiction

Abstract

Regulatory and disciplinary bodies derive their jurisdiction from various sources, such as under statute, the royal prerogative, royal charter, or by contract with their members. The healthcare professions are governed by statute. In addition to the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), the regulations relating to professional conduct matters concerning the General Dental Council (GDC), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are all derived from statute. Architects are regulated under a statutory scheme and many professions, including accountants, actuaries, engineers, and surveyors, are regulated by professional bodies incorporated under royal charter. The Home Office Police Board for Forensic Pathology and the Council for the Registration of Forensic Pathologists are set up under the royal prerogative. See generally Meadow v. General Medical Council [2007] QB 462, at [28]–[29]. The disciplinary regulations for other bodies, such as the Jockey Club (governed by royal charter), the National Greyhound Racing Club, and the British Boxing Board of Control, are governed by contractual arrangements.