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About the Director
Aaron Martin is the Director of Proceedings at HDC. Mr
Martin has been a criminal defence lawyer and civil litigator, most
recently as Crown Counsel at Crown Law.
He has acted in professional disciplinary cases and employment
matters in the public sector. He has also appeared for the Crown in
the Waitangi Tribunal.
Health Practitioners Disciplinary
Tribunal
The Health Practitioners Disciplinary
Tribunal hears charges of professional misconduct against
registered health practitioners.
This includes medical practitioners, nurses, midwives, dentists,
chiropractors and pharmacists.
Human Rights Review Tribunal
Where the health provider is not a registered health practitioner,
the Director may file proceedings before the
Human Rights Review Tribunal.
Non-registered health practitioners include providers such as
counsellors, massage therapists and acupuncturists. Action may also
be taken against bodies such as rest homes and District Health
Boards as well as against a registered health professional (whether
or not disciplinary proceedings are also brought).
Unlike the Disciplinary Tribunal, the Human Rights Review
Tribunal has the power to order the provider to pay compensation to
the aggrieved person. However, because of the limitations imposed
by ACC legislation, compensatory damages are available only in
limited circumstances.
Where the Commissioner has found a breach of the Code, but does
not refer the matter to the Director of Proceedings, or where the
Director of Proceedings decides not to institute proceedings before
the Human Rights Review Tribunal, an aggrieved person may
personally bring such proceedings.
The Proceedings Team
The Proceedings Team is based in the Wellington Office. The
Director is assisted by two other lawyers and an executive
assistant.
In order to maintain the efficient delivery of services, some
cases are briefed to external counsel.