Help for nurses and midwives

Extended appeal time limit for Nurses and Midwives

Court of Appeal

Judgment July 9, 2013

The 28 day time limit for lodging an appeal from a decision of the Nursing and Midwifery Council to strike off or discipline a nurse or midwife can be extended where the appellant personally had done all she could to bring the appeal in time.

Court of Appeal said that in the Administrative Court that the 28 day time limit was absolute.

But the Supreme Court had subsequently decided, in which it had held that absolute time limits might, in some circumstances, have to yield to the requirements of the right to a fair trial pursuant to article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Exclusion from a profession was still one of great importance to nurses, midwives and others. This decision will also help doctors, dentists and other professionals.