Webster v General Teaching Council [2012] EWHC 2928 (Admin) (05 October 2012)

Webster v General Teaching Council [2012] EWHC 2928 (Admin) (05 October 2012)

The court held that the Professional Conduct Committee was entitled to find, on the balance of probabilities and based on the evidence, that the claimant engaged in an inappropriate (sexual or intimate) relationship with a pupil, and that there was no basis to overturn the findings or the sanction imposed.

Citation
[2012] EWHC 2928 (Admin)
Parties
Claimant: Nicola Louise Webster; Defendant: General Teaching Council
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 October 2012
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Judgment After Hearing
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Teacher Misconduct, Professional Conduct, Standard of Proof, Appeals From Disciplinary Bodies, Costs Orders
Administrative Law Professional Discipline Teacher Misconduct Professional Conduct Standard of Proof Appeals From Disciplinary Bodies Costs Orders

Case Brief

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Parties

Nicola Louise Webster

Claimant

General Teaching Council

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Judgment After Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Professional Conduct Committee erred in finding the claimant guilty of unacceptable professional conduct
  2. 2 Whether the evidence supported a finding of an inappropriate (sexual or intimate) relationship between the claimant and a pupil
  3. 3 Whether the sanction imposed was excessive

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the Professional Conduct Committee was entitled to find, on the balance of probabilities and based on the evidence, that the claimant engaged in an inappropriate (sexual or intimate) relationship with a pupil, and that there was no basis to overturn the findings or the sanction imposed.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Claimant to pay respondent's counsel's costs of £3,420 plus VAT, not to be enforced for 56 days from the date of judgment