Paragraph 13 New rule 16A

After rule 16, insert the following rule—

“16A.

(1)

This rule applies where—

(a)

the Registration Appeals Committee is considering making a direction under rule 16 of the General Optical Council (Registration Appeals) Rules 2005^f1 (joinder) that one hearing is to be held in relation to two or more appellants or applicants, and—

(i)

either—

(aa)

at least one of them is a registered optometrist or a registered student undertaking training as an optometrist, and

(bb)

at least one of them is a registered dispensing optician or a registered student undertaking training as a dispensing optician, or

(ii)

at least one of them is a body corporate and at least one of them is a person mentioned in sub-paragraph (i); or

(b)

a direction has been made in the circumstances described in sub-paragraph (a) and there are further proceedings in the case to which the direction relates before the Registration Appeals Committee.

(2)

In the circumstances described in paragraph (1), the Registration Appeals Committee shall consist of—

(a)

one registered optometrist;

(b)

one registered dispensing optician; and

(c)

three lay persons,

who are each selected in accordance with rule 29.”.