The first formal disciplinary hearing against a teacher in Ireland is due to take place next week.
The case is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, and will take place under new teacher 'Fitness to Practice' legislation.
The legislation enabling this process was commenced last July.
Since then the Teaching Council has received around 50 complaints, around half of which have gone on to further investigation.
The first public hearing will be heard on Wednesday.
No details of the case have been released and the teacher at its centre, as well as all other parties, will not be identified.
The hearings will be similar to those heard against doctors under the Medical Council.
In most cases children are likely to be key witnesses.
If findings are made against a teacher, sanctions include suspension or even the permanent loss of the right to teach in a publicly funded school.
The hearings will have powers similar to the High Court, which means they will be able to compel evidence and witnesses.
The inquiries will be held in public unless the disciplinary panel decides to agree to a request that all or part is heard in private.
As is the case next Wednesday, the panel may also decide to anonymise names, schools, and other identifying details.
Teachers in Scotland have been subject to a similar process for the past 50 years.
However, the burden of proof for the new Irish system is higher than that of UK jurisdictions.
There, the burden of proof is "on the balance of probability". Here, it will be "beyond reasonable doubt".
If serious findings are made against a teacher the Teaching Council will have the power to remove that person from the teaching register for a specified length of time.
This means that the person will be banned from teaching in any publicly funded Irish school for the duration.
Anyone can complain to the council about a teacher. That includes parents, students, and agencies.
Grounds for complaint include professional misconduct, poor professional performance, medical unfitness, and a criminal conviction.
Not all complaints will proceed to a full disciplinary hearing.
