Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London WC2A 2LL
B e f o r e:
MR JUSTICE SINGH
Between:
THE QUEEN ON THE APPLICATION OF NURSING & MIDWIFERY COUNCIL
Claimant
v
STEADMAN
Defendant
Computer-Aided Transcript of the Stenograph Notes of
WordWave International Limited
A Merrill Communications Company
165 Fleet Street London EC4A 2DY
Tel No: 020 7404 1400 Fax No: 020 7831 8838
(Official Shorthand Writers to the Court)
Mr Pretty appeared on behalf of the Claimant
The Defendant was not represented, did not attend
Judgment
Ruling on Application for extension of time
MR JUSTICE SINGH: I will grant your application with some hesitation. My hesitation comes from the fact that, as is recognised, this case has been going on now for several years. Nevertheless it is clear to me that the order needs to be made now because the reason for the long period of delay lies in the past. More recently, the background is that the respondent has not appeared when the case has been listed for hearing. The committee has been concerned not to hear the case in her absence.
The background is clearly a serious one because the allegations concern theft of drugs by a nurse. The public interest clearly requires that this application should be granted.
I am informed that the case has now been listed for a hearing on 30 April 2012. In those circumstances I recognise that the just order to make would be to continue the interim order for a further period of three months. Therefore I grant the extension for three months.
MR PRETTY: I hand up a draft order. There is no application for costs.
MR JUSTICE SINGH: Shall I deal with that now today or reserve it?
MR PRETTY: There will be no further application for costs so you can deal with it today.
MR JUSTICE SINGH: I will do that. I hand the order to the associate with the court papers. Thank you for your assistance.