Professional organisations

General Optical Council

The General Optical Council (GOC) is the regulator for the optical professions in the UK, registering optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians and optical businesses. Covers the regulatory framework and provides a searchable register. Outcomes of recent fitness to practise hearings and details of future hearings are available on the site, together with GOC publications and news.

British Medical Association

The British Medical Association (BMA) represents doctors across all branches of medicine in the UK. Its website includes information about medical careers, dealing with complaints, whistleblowing, ethics, equality and diversity and running a GP practice. It also outlines the BMA's campaigns and other activities.

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK. Its statutory responsibilities are detailed, with links to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and related regulations. The Codes of Professional Conduct for vets and nurses are available and the Concerns section covers disciplinary and complaints procedures and provides Committee decisions for the last three years. There are also searchable registers of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

Chartered Institute of Taxation

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) is the UK’s leading body for taxation professionals. It deals with all aspects of taxation and aims to promote education in taxation. The website includes technical news and guidance, details of events and tax policy information. There is guidance on combatting money laundering and information about tax technology and professional standards.

Maritime Law Association of South Africa

The Maritime Law Association was established in 1974 with the aim to “promote the study, research, administration and advancement” of maritime laws and their unification with those of road, rail and aviation. Details are given of the aims and objectives of the organisation and its past achievements. Full text access is given to a selection of maritime legislation to which the organisation may have contributed and also to a selection of judgments, both reported and unreported which have been provided by members (the latter is not a comprehensive collection).

General Medical Council

The General Medical Council (GMC) registers doctors to practise medicine in the UK. The ‘Registration and licensing’ section of the website allows users to search the List of Registered Medical Practitioners, a list of general practitioners eligible to work for the UK health service. It includes any publicly available fitness to practise history since 20 October 2005. There is a separate search facility for recent fitness to practise decisions. The ‘About us’ section provides links to relevant legislation, including a consolidated version with amendments of the Medical Act 1983.

General Dental Council

The General Dental Council (GDC) regulates dental professionals in the United Kingdom. The ‘Members of public’ section on the GDC’s website allows users to search for dentists, dental care professionals and specialists. This section also has information on complaints procedures and details of outcomes of recent hearings of the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), which are available in PDF format. The site also details standards for dental professionals and provides links to other relevant healthcare organisations, as well as providing information about the GDC itself

Law Society of Zimbabwe

The Law Society of Zimbabwe was formed in 1981 to replace the previous Bar Association. Sections of the site cover its aims and objectives which include representation of all sectors of the profession, promotion of the further study of law and professional training and the defence of human rights. A Council of Legal Education exists to promote training and further information is provided.

General Pharmaceutical Council

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has succeeded the Royal Pharmaceutical Society as the regulator for British pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies. The GPhC’s website explains the work of the Council and makes available committee proceedings, consultation reponses, reports and other materials. Some Royal Pharmaceutical Society publications are available as well as GPhC materials. Searchable registers of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies are also provided.

Family Law Bar Association

The Family Law Bar Assocation (FLBA) is a specialist group for barristers. The Resources section of its website includes the Assocation’s responses to government consultations, judgments, news items and FLBA reports. Some other areas of the site are restricted to members of the Association.

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