UCPR r 12.7 (want of due despatch) applies only to delay in prosecuting proceedings already commenced, not to delay in commencing proceedings; delay in commencement is addressed through the court's discretion to refuse relief. Conduct resulting from a medical practitioner's impairment (such as drug addiction) can constitute professional misconduct, and deregistration for such misconduct is not manifestly unreasonable given the protective purpose of the disciplinary regime. An unexplained delay of eight years in seeking judicial review of a disciplinary decision, combined with prejudice from the passage of time if the matter were remitted, justifies discretionary refusal of relief.
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