• FAQs for patients
• FAQs for donors
• FAQs for clinic staff
• FAQs about the HFEA
  • FAQs about the licensing process and regulation
    • How the HFEA regulates clinics
    • Appeals
    • Short term licences
    • What happens when a clinic’s licence is revoked
    • Person Responsible
    • What happens when conditions are placed on a clinic’s licence
    • What happens when a clinic closes or is involved in proceedings
    • Making a complaint

What is the process if a clinic exerciese its right of appeal against the Licence Committee decision?

The HFE Act provides a right of appeal if a Licence Committee refuses to grant or proposes to vary or revoke a licence. Clinics have 28 days in which to appeal against any Licence Committee decision.

From October 2009 appeals will be considered by an external appeals committee made up of people who are not members of the HFEA who have been appointed by the NHS appointment commission. The appeal committee will follow specific regulations which are being finalised by the Department of Health.

• Department of Health website

What is the timeline for an appeal against an Licence Committee decision?

At all stages of the appeal process (except for appeal to the High Court or Court of Session), a clinic has 28 days from when a Licence Committee or Authority decision is served, to give notice that it intends to appeal.

The time needed to hear each stage of the appeal will naturally reflect the unique circumstances of each individual case as well as the need to gather evidence and confirm the availability of relevant HFEA and clinic staff and legal representatives.

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Page last updated: 14 April 2009

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