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The Authority’s licensing process is governed by the provisions of sections 16 to 21 of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990 (as amended).

From 1st October 2009, routine decisions on licensing will be taken by panel of three members of the Authority’s staff (“the Executive Licensing Panel”). 

Complex matters, or applications which raise novel or controversial issues, will be referred to a Licence Committee composed of members of the Authority.  Research applications will be considered by the members’ Research Licence Committee.

• Instrument of delegation - Licensing functions (46Kb)

Executive Licensing Panel members

• Peter Thompson, Director of Strategy and Information (chair)
• Mark Bennett, Director of Finance & Facilities (deputy chair)
• Juliet Tizzard, Acting Director of Strategy & Information 

Other nominated staff members may occasionally substitute for members of the panel, but not as chair.

Licence Committee members

• David Archard (Chair)
• Anna Carragher (Deputy Chair)
• Sally Cheshire
• Rebekah Dundas
• Sue Price
• Jane Dibblin
• Debbie Barber
• Mair Crouch

Research Licence Committee members

• Emily Jackson (Chair)
• Neva Haites OBE
• Clare Lewis-Jones
• Lesley Regan
• Andy Greenfield

Full details of decisions delegated to the Executive Licensing Panel, the  Licence Committee and the Research Licence Committee are set out in an Instrument of Delegation.

Minutes from Licence Committee and Executive Licensing Panel meetings can be found with fertility clinic inspection reports:

• Licence Committee/Executive Licensing Panel minutes & inspection reports

Relevant links

• Compliance and enforcement policy (212Kb)
• Guide to licensing (63 Kb)
• Protocol for the conduct of meetings of the Executive Licensing Panel (170Kb)
• Protocol for the conduct of meetings of the Licence Committee (183Kb)
• Decision tree for use by Licence Committee & Executive Licensing Panel consideration of applications to grant or renew a licence (124Kb)
• Decision tree for use by Licence Committee and Executive Licensing Panel for the consideration of interim inspection reports* (69Kb)
  * This decision tree is currently in draft. A decision on its final format will be taken in the summer.
• Conflicts of interest - Guidance for members and committee members (60Kb) 
• Indicative Applications Guidance (73Kb)
• Indicative Sanctions Guidance (68Kb)
• Guide to licence applications and inspections (for Clinics)

Page last updated: 24 September 2009

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