Hidden Hearing Ltd, R (on the application of) v Hearing Aid Council

Hidden Hearing Ltd, R (on the application of) v Hearing Aid Council

The Guidance Note is non-statutory and non-binding, and its definition of dispensing is not manifestly inconsistent with the statutory definition or the Code of Practice, which has included fitting as dispensing for many years. There is insufficient factual basis to conclude that fitting and post-fitting rehabilitation can never be part of dispensing. The application to quash or withdraw the Guidance Note is refused.

Parties
Claimant: Hidden Hearing Limited; Defendant: The Hearing Aid Council
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
22 January 2009
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Judgment
Outcome
Application refused
Legal Topics
Statutory Interpretation, Ultra Vires, Regulatory Guidance, Healthcare Regulation

Case Brief

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Parties

Hidden Hearing Limited

Claimant

The Hearing Aid Council

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Hearing Aid Council's Guidance Note definition of 'dispensing' is inconsistent with the statutory definition in the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968
  2. 2 Whether the Guidance Note is ultra vires and should be quashed or withdrawn

Ratio Decidendi

The Guidance Note is non-statutory and non-binding, and its definition of dispensing is not manifestly inconsistent with the statutory definition or the Code of Practice, which has included fitting as dispensing for many years. There is insufficient factual basis to conclude that fitting and post-fitting rehabilitation can never be part of dispensing. The application to quash or withdraw the Guidance Note is refused.

Court Disposition

Application refused