Disciplinary Procedures
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download the Disciplinary procedures
Time limits
These procedures include time limits for responses to be
received by NFOPP Regulation. If you wish to post your response
please allow ample time for receipt bearing in mind that our
administrative processes can delay receipt for up to one week.
You may wish to email your response instead to regulation@nfopp.co.uk.
Changes to disciplinary procedures, plus sanctions and
publicity policies
At their May 2012 meeting, the NFoPP Board signed off a number
of revised documents which relate to enforcement of the standards
and requirements which apply to members. All members are encouraged
to review the revised documentation which is available from the
Complaints sections of the divisional web sites. Copies of the
documents can also be obtained by contacting NFoPP Regulation on:
0845 250 6009 or regulation@nfopp.co.uk.
The main changes from the previous versions of the three
documents are as follows:
Attendance
The revised disciplinary procedures underline that all parties
are strongly advised to attend hearings, especially members who
wish to deny alleged breaches.
Late Submission of Documents
Late submission of documentation concerning Professional
Indemnity Insurance and Accountants' Reports, and late payment of
CMP levy, may be pursued as a disciplinary matter. Such
matters will be dealt with outside of the disciplinary procedures.
In these circumstances members may not have an opportunity to
explain the reasons for their delay. Instead, late submission
is likely to result in an automatic fine of up to £200 per breach
of every separate requirement. Members who persistently fail
to provide their documents will have their membership
terminated.
Sanctions
Additional sanctions are available to Tribunal & Appeals
Panels. They can now require members to provide an
independent accountants' report at the member's expense, and they
can also recommend attendance at courses.
Publicity
When a sanction is sufficiently serious that the Publicity
Policy applies, publicity will routinely be posted on all the
divisional web sites for NFoPP plus the divisional magazines. These
forms of publicity have already been used for a number of years.
Tribunal and Appeals Panels can also now request publicity in
national, as well as local, press.
Complaints
When a complaint against a member is sent to NFoPP, the member
is allowed 28 days to respond with an explanation. Members should
note that if they fail to provide a written explanation within this
timescale then they risk losing the opportunity to do so.
Old Procedures
These procedures apply to alleged breaches which occurred after
2 May 2012. If you require the procedures for a earlier period
please contact NFOPP Regulation, tel 0845 250 6009 or regulation@nfopp.co.uk.