High Court judgment in favour of HGI

A former HG therapist recently attempted to sue the HGI for breach of contract, alleging that our complaints process did not accord with natural justice and was not fair; and that she was innocent of breach of confidentiality of a client who had been in couples therapy with her and who had subsequently complained to the HGI. (The therapist had written a letter to court in a later divorce case, in support of the other member of the couple, whom she had continued to see individually after the joint therapy had ended.)

The claim was heard before a judge at the High Court, who scrutinised the complaints processes of the HGI, heard the legal arguments from the barristers representing the former therapist and the HGI and reviewed the relevant written documentation, particularly the letter of support for the client written by the claimant. The judge dismissed the claim in its entirety, commenting in his judgment that the HGI’s complaints processes were fair, proportionate and went beyond that which could reasonably be expected in the circumstances; and that the various adjudication and appeals panels delivered balanced and reasoned judgments and were fair in determining that there had been a breach of confidentiality.

After the hearing an HGI spokesperson said, “We were very disappointed to have been forced to defend what we considered to be a claim with no merit all the way to trial. However, we are pleased with the outcome and that our approach and procedures were entirely vindicated by the judge.” See
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2025/636.html

HG practitioner and KC Annette Henry (she is currently unregistered from her legal practice) has posted on LinkedIn about the judgment to promote knowledge about HGI good practice. To spread the word further, do take a look here https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7309902529545265152/ to respond or repost.