How do I become a tribunal member?

Tribunal members

All MPTS tribunals are made up of medical and non-medical (lay) people. We appoint tribunal members to adjudicate in hearings for doctors whose fitness to practise is called into question. Hearings are supported by legally qualified individuals who sit as legally qualified chairs or legal assessors.

Tribunal members, chairs and legal assessors are all known as MPTS associates, which means they are not directly employed by the MPTS. Associates are appointed through open competition against agreed competencies. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet these competencies.

We have a large pool of around 300 associates, which is refreshed every few years. It is important that associates bring a range of diverse perspectives to the role.

Appointment

When appointing new associates we look for people with

• demonstrable integrity
• experience and ability of reaching considered and unbiased decisions affecting other people.

It is not necessary to have prior experience of sitting on tribunals to become a tribunal member providing you have the skills and competencies required for the role.

Our priority is to appoint people with the right skills. Appointment for new tribunal members will be advertised on our website, in national press and in other relevant publications.

To hear more about what is involved from tribunal members themselves, listen to our podcasts.

View the current list of MPTS tribunal members.

If you would like to register your interest in becoming a tribunal member or legally qualified chair, please click here.