Disciplinary Bye-laws: to 23 July 2013
The rules that apply to ICAEW's disciplinary arrangements.
Effective from 29 September 2011 to 23 July 2013.
- Preliminary
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Liability to disciplinary action
- Application of investigation and discipline schemes
- Liability of members and provisional members to disciplinary action
- Liability of member firms to disciplinary action
- Liability of regulated firms to disciplinary action
- Liability of former members, member firms, regulated firms and firms to disciplinary action
- Proof of certain matters
- Relevance of codes of practice, regulations etc.
- Complaints
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Complaints laid before Investigation Committee
- Initial consideration of complaints so laid
- Referral of complaints to or from an investigation and discipline scheme
- Assumption of matters in accordance with an investigation and discipline scheme
- Power of Investigation Committee to call for information etc
- Power of Investigation Committee to require advice to be obtained and followed
- Complaints not referred or referred back from an investigation and discipline scheme
- Consent Orders
- Cautions
- Complainant's right to review
- Disciplinary proceedings
- Appeals
- Intervention orders
- Fines and costs
- Refund of fees, commission and expenses
- Publicity
- Commencement and transitional provisions
- Schedule - Bye-law 2 - Constitution of Investigation, Disciplinary and Appeal Committees, and appointment of reviewers of complaints
Preliminary
Citation, interpretation and service of documents
1.1 | These bye-laws may be cited as the Disciplinary Bye-laws of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. |
1.2 | In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires
the Appeal Committee means the Appeal Committee appointed under the Schedule to these bye-laws; approved training means practical training and experience approved by the Council and obtained at or from an office which is for the time being authorised under regulations to train provisional member; authorised firm means a firm regulated by the Institute in its capacity as
the bye-laws means all the bye-laws of the Institute for the time being in force; complainant, except in bye-laws 24A and 34B, in relation to a complaint or formal complaint, means any of the following persons
complaint, except in bye-law 11 or where the reference is to a previously mentioned formal complaint, has the meaning given by bye-law 9.3; Council means the Council of the Institute; defendant means a member, firm or provisional member against whom a formal complaint has been preferred to the Disciplinary Committee; director (save in paragraph (a) of the definition of member firm below) includes a member of a limited liability partnership; Disciplinary Committee means the Disciplinary Committee appointed under the Schedule to these bye-laws; disciplinary record, in relation to any person or body, comprises all orders, findings, fines and penalties to which he has at any time been subject, being orders, findings, fines or penalties of any description prescribed for the purposes of this definition by regulations; firm means
and in this definition, the relevant time means the time relevant to any facts or matters which under bye-law 9 have been reported to the head of staff, or have been brought or come to his attention, as indicating a possible liability to disciplinary action; formal complaint means a complaint preferred by the Investigation Committee to the Disciplinary Committee under bye-law 15, and in relation to a tribunal means the formal complaint which the tribunal was appointed to hear; head of staff means the person appointed under Principal Bye-law 50; hearing, in relation to a formal complaint or an appeal, includes the making of any finding or order on or in connection with the complaint or appeal, and also includes a re-hearing; Insolvency Licence means an authorisation issued by the Institute to a member pursuant to the Insolvency Act 1986 or the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (as from time to time amended) as a precondition to the member acting as an insolvency practitioner; Investigation Committee means the Investigation Committee appointed under the Schedule to these bye-laws; Investigation and discipline scheme means any scheme in which the Institute participates pursuant to articles 1(b)(viiA), 1(b)(viiiA), or 1(b)(xi) of the Supplemental Charter; member means a member of the Institute, and membership shall be construed accordingly; member firm means
notice means notice in writing; order includes a finding; panel (except in bye-law 26) means a panel appointed under bye-law 27.1 to hear an appeal; practice and public practice mean practice as a public accountant in any part of the world otherwise than as an employee, subject however to any regulations made pursuant to bye-law 51.b of the Principal Bye-laws and to any other guidance issued by the Council; practising certificate means a certificate issued to a member authorising him to engage in public practice; prima facie case means a prima facie case for disciplinary action under these bye-laws; the Principal Bye-laws means the Principal Bye-laws of the Institute; principal means a sole practitioner, a partner in a partnership or a director of a body corporate; provisional member means a person
and for the purposes only of this definition an order under bye-law 22.7.d shall be disregarded; registered address means
registered auditor means a firm registered as a registered auditor at the instance of the Institute (in its capacity as a recognised supervisory body under the Companies Act 2006 or in any comparable capacity under any legislation, wherever in force, for the time being designated in regulations); regulated firm means an authorised firm or a registered auditor; regulations means regulations made by the Council or any committee or sub-committee under clause 16 of the Supplemental Charter (power to make regulations) and for the time being in force; representative, in relation to the defendant in any proceedings under these bye-laws, means
reviewer of complaints means a person appointed as a reviewer of complaints under paragraph 5 of the Schedule to these bye-laws; training contract means a contract of approved training registered with the Institute and in such form and containing such provisions as may be prescribed in regulations, made between a candidate for membership and the person or firm at or from whose office the approved training is to be given; tribunal means a tribunal appointed under bye-law 19.1 to hear a formal complaint; United Kingdom includes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. |
1.3 | The Interpretation Act 1978 applies to these bye-laws in the same way as it applies to an enactment |
1.4 | In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires
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1.5 | In these bye-laws
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1.6 | Any notice or other document required to be served for the purposes of these bye-laws on a member, a firm, a provisional member or a defendant may be sent by pre-paid post addressed to him at his registered address or, if none, at his last known or usual place of residence or business. |
1.7 | Any notice or other document required to be served on the head of staff for the purposes of these bye-laws may be sent by pre-paid post addressed to the head of staff at the Institute's principal London address for the time being or such other address of the Institute as may be prescribed by regulations. |
1.8 | Service of a document sent as mentioned in paragraphs 6 or 7 shall be deemed to have been effected at the end of 48 hours from the time of posting; and in proving that a document was so sent it shall be sufficient to prove that the cover containing it was properly addressed, stamped and posted. |
Constitution of Investigation, Disciplinary and Appeal Committees, and appointment of reviewers of complaints
2 | The Schedule to these bye-laws shall have effect with respect to the constitution of the Investigation, Disciplinary and the Appeal Committees and the appointment of reviewers of complaints. |
Liability to disciplinary action
Application of investigation and discipline schemes
3 | An investigation and discipline scheme shall apply to all members and firms in accordance with the terms of that scheme and these bye-laws. |
Liability of members and provisional members to disciplinary action
4.1 | A member or provisional member shall be liable to disciplinary action under these bye-laws in any of the following cases, whether or not he was a member or provisional member at the time of the occurrence giving rise to that liability
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4.2 | Those circumstances are
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Liability of member firms to disciplinary action
5.1 | A member-firm shall be liable to disciplinary action under these bye-laws in any of the following cases
In this paragraph 'regulations' does not include any such regulations as are mentioned in bye-law 6.1(a) or 6.2(a). |
5.2 | It shall be a defence to a complaint arising by virtue of this bye-law for a member firm to prove that it had taken all such steps as it could reasonably have been expected to take (including the making of appropriate rules and arrangements) to prevent acts or defaults of the kind which are the subject of the complaint. |
5.3 | The fact that one or more partners have joined or left a member firm since the time of the acts or defaults which are the subject of disciplinary action shall not affect the firm's liability to such action unless the Investigation Committee is satisfied that, as currently constituted, the firm has substantially lost its identity with the firm as constituted at that time; but if the member firm continues to have the same or substantially the same name, that fact shall be evidence that such identity has not been lost. |
5.4 | For the purposes of this bye-law a firm which describes itself as 'Chartered Accountants' shall be presumed to be a member firm unless it proves that it is not. |
Liability of regulated firm to disciplinary action
6.1 | An authorised firm shall be liable to disciplinary action under these bye-laws in any of the following cases
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6.2 | A registered auditor shall be liable to disciplinary action under these bye-laws in any of the following cases
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Liability of former members, member firms, regulated firms and firms to disciplinary action
6A.1 | A person or body who, while he was a member, member firm, regulated firm or firm, became liable to disciplinary action under these bye-laws, or an investigation and discipline scheme, shall continue to be subject to these bye-laws after he has ceased to be a member, member firm, regulated firm or firm, as the case may be, as if he had not so ceased; and references in these bye-laws to members, member firms, regulated firms and firms shall be construed accordingly so far as may be necessary to give effect to this paragraph. |
6A.2 | Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 1 above, the reference in paragraph 1 of bye-law 9 (complaints) to facts or matters indicating that a member or a firm may have become liable to disciplinary action under these bye-laws, or an investigation and discipline scheme includes facts or matters indicating that a former member or former firm may have become so liable. |
6A.3 | Bye-law 13 (power of Investigation Committee to call for information etc) shall extend to any former member, former member firm or former regulated firm, and a breach of bye-law 13 shall render the former member, former member firm or former regulated firm liable to disciplinary action by virtue of this bye-law. |
6A.4 | Liability to disciplinary action or other action by virtue of this bye-law
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Proof of certain matters
7.1 | The fact that a member, member firm or provisional member has, before a court of competent jurisdiction, pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of an indictable offence (or has, before such a court, outside England and Wales, pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of an offence corresponding to one which is indictable in England and Wales) shall for the purposes of these bye-laws be conclusive evidence of the commission by him of such an act or default as is mentioned in bye-law 4.1(a) or 5.1(a), as the case may be. |
7.2 | The fact that a member, member firm or provisional member
shall, for the purposes of these bye-laws, be conclusive evidence of the commission by him of such an act or default as is mentioned in bye-law 4.1(a) or 5.1(a), as the case may be. |
7.3 | A finding of fact
shall for the purposes of these bye-laws be prima facie evidence of the facts found. |
7.4 | The bodies referred to in paragraph 3(c) are
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7.5 | The bodies referred to in paragraph 2(a) and 4(g) are
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7.6 | The Council may at any time by regulations add any accountancy body (other than the Institute) to, or remove any body listed in paragraphs (2), (4) or (5). |
7.7 | Nothing in paragraphs 3 to 6 shall affect the evidential status of any report or other document not falling within paragraph 3. |
Relevance of codes of practice, regulations etc.
8.1 | In discharging his or its functions under these bye-laws a person or body mentioned in paragraph 2 may have regard to all relevant matters, including any code of practice (whether relating to the ethical, the technical or any other aspect of practice), and any regulations or guidance, affecting (as the case may be) the firm, member or provisional member concerned. |
8.2 | Those persons and bodies are
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Complaints
Complaints
9.1 | Any person may bring to the attention of the head of staff any facts or matters indicating that a member, a firm or a provisional member may have become liable to disciplinary action under these bye-laws or an investigation and discipline scheme and it is the duty of every member, where it is in the public interest for him to do so, to report to the head of staff any such facts or matters of which he is aware. |
9.2 | In determining whether it is in the public interest for a member to report any such facts or matters under paragraph 1 regard shall be had to such guidance as may from time to time be issued by the Council. |
9.3 | In these bye-laws any facts or matters which
are referred to as a complaint. |
9.4 | Any dispute relating to
shall be referred to and determined by the Investigation Committee. |
Processing of complaints by head of staff
10.1 | If, as regards any complaint, the head of staff is of the opinion that it is to be dealt with by an investigation and discipline scheme, he shall lay it before the Investigation Committee. |
10.2 | If, in the case of any complaint not laid before the Investigation Committee under paragraph 1, the head of staff is of the opinion that it is appropriate to do so, he shall attempt to resolve the complaint by conciliation or in some other way not involving disciplinary action under these bye-laws; and if the attempt is successful, he shall take no further action with respect to the complaint. |
10.3 | Where an attempt under paragraph 2 is made but fails, the head of staff shall review the complaint in the light of any further relevant facts or matters which have come to his attention since he initiated the attempt; and
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10.4 | If, as regards any complaint not laid before the Investigation Committee under paragraph 1, the head of staff does not think it appropriate to make an attempt under paragraph 2, he shall proceed to investigate the complaint. |
10.5 | If, having investigated a complaint under paragraph 3 or 4, the head of staff is no longer of the opinion that the member, the firm or the provisional member concerned may have become liable to disciplinary action under these bye-laws, he shall take no further action with respect to the complaint unless the complainant insists on its being laid before the Investigation Committee; but if the head of staff remains of that opinion or the complainant so insists, the head of staff shall lay the complaint before the Investigation Committee. |
Investigation of complaints by firms themselves
11.1 | Every firm shall ensure that all new clients are informed in writing of the name of the principal to be contacted in the event of their wishing to complain about the firm's services, and of their right to complain to the Institute. |
11.2 | If a firm receives a complaint concerning any services it has provided or failed to provide to a client or former client, it shall forthwith cause the complaint to be investigated by a principal. |
11.3 | If, as a result of an investigation under paragraph 2, the firm is of the opinion that the complaint is wholly or partly justified, it shall take whatever steps are appropriate to resolve the complaint, whether by way of remedial work, apology, the provision of information, the return of books or documents, the reduction or repayment of fees, or otherwise. |
11.4 | If the head of staff receives a complaint against a firm, not being a complaint to which paragraph 1 of bye-law 10 applies, he may, if it appears to him appropriate to do so, refer it to the firm for investigation under paragraph 2 of this bye-law instead of dealing with it as provided in paragraphs 2 to 5 of bye-law 10. |
11.5 | The fact that a complaint is being investigated under this bye-law shall not affect the duty of members under bye-law 9.1 to report to the head of staff, where it is in the public interest for them to do so, any facts or matters indicating that a member, a firm or a provisional member may have become liable to disciplinary action. |
11.6 | The definition of 'complaint' in bye-law 9.3 does not apply for the purposes of this bye-law. |
Complaints laid before Investigation Committee
Initial consideration of complaints so laid
12.1 | This bye-law applies where a complaint is laid before the Investigation Committee under bye-law 10. |
12.2 | The Investigation Committee shall first of all decide whether it considers that, having regard to all the circumstances of the matter, it is appropriate that the complaint is referred to an investigation and discipline scheme to be dealt with under the terms of that scheme. |
12.3 | If the Investigation Committee does not refer a complaint to an investigation and discipline scheme under bye-law 12A.1, it shall either
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Referral of complaints to or from an investigation and discipline scheme
12A.1 | If the Investigation Committee decides, in accordance with bye-law 12.2, that it is appropriate for a complaint to be referred to an investigation and discipline scheme, it shall make a written referral of the complaint to that investigation and discipline scheme. |
12A.2 | If a referral to an investigation and discipline scheme is declined in accordance with the terms of the scheme, the Investigation Committee shall either
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12A.3 | If following an enquiry under an investigation or discipline scheme, the fact or matter is referred to the Institute, the Investigation Committee shall either
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Assumption of matters in accordance with an investigation and discipline scheme
12B | If the head of staff receives notice in writing in accordance with the terms of an investigation and discipline scheme requiring that a fact or matter be dealt with under the terms of that scheme, then with immediate effect
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Power of Investigation Committee to call for information, etc.
13.1 | The Investigation Committee shall have power by notice served on any member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member to call for such information, such explanations and such books, records and documents as the Committee considers necessary to enable it or the head of staff to perform its or his functions under these bye-laws. |
13.2 | It shall be the duty of any person or body on whom a notice is served under paragraph 1 to comply with it within the period of fourteen days beginning with the date of service or such longer period as the Investigation Committee may allow. |
Power of Investigation Committee to require advice to be obtained and followed
14.1 | If the Investigation Committee is of the opinion that a complaint laid before it indicates that the practice of any firm may have been conducted inefficiently, it may require any member or member firm concerned (at his own expense) to obtain advice from such source as the Committee may specify and to implement the advice obtained. |
14.2 | In any disciplinary proceedings for an alleged failure to comply with a requirement imposed under paragraph 1, it shall be a defence for the member or member firm concerned to prove that he had good and sufficient reasons for not complying with the requirement. |
14.3 | The power conferred on the Investigation Committee by this bye-law is without prejudice to any power exercisable by it apart from this bye-law. |
Complaints not referred to or referred back from an investigation and discipline scheme
15.1 | Where a complaint laid before the Investigation Committee is
the Investigation Committee shall consider whether or not the complaint discloses a prima facie case and, if it finds that it does not, shall dismiss the complaint. |
15.2 | If the Investigation Committee finds that the complaint discloses a prima facie case it may
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15.3 | The conditions on which an order under paragraph 2(c) may be made include the giving of written undertakings for the protection of client interests. |
15.4 | Before taking any decision under the preceding provisions of this bye-law the Investigation Committee
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15.5 | In deciding whether to prefer a complaint (the current complaint) to the Disciplinary Committee, the Investigation Committee may take into account any facts or matters
and if the Investigation Committee decides to prefer the whole or part of the current complaint to the Disciplinary Committee as a formal complaint, it may also prefer to that Committee any formal complaint which it could have preferred to it on that previous occasion against the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member in question and, if there were two or more such previous occasions, may prefer a separate formal complaint against him in respect of each of some or all of them. |
15.6 | If the Investigation Committee prefers a formal complaint to the Disciplinary Committee, it shall send to the Disciplinary Committee and to the defendant a summary of the material facts and matters which were considered by the Investigation Committee together with:
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15.7 | If the Investigation Committee finds that a complaint discloses a prima facie case but orders that no further action be taken on it, it shall serve a notice to that effect on the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member concerned; and if within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of service of that notice the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member concerned serves notice on the head of staff that he is unwilling to accept the finding that a prima facie case exists, then, unless on reconsideration the Committee finds that no prima facie case exists, it shall prefer the whole or part of the complaint to the Disciplinary Committee under paragraph 2(a). |
Consent orders
16.1 | If
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16.2 | The Investigation Committee may with the agreement of the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member concerned make
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16.3 | Before making any order under paragraph 2 the Investigation Committee shall serve on the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member concerned a notice describing the action which it proposes to take if the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member agrees, and specifying the order which it would make in that event. |
16.4 | A notice under paragraph 3 must
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16.5 | If within the period stated in the notice the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member agrees in writing to the Investigation Committee proceeding as proposed in the notice, the Committee shall make the order specified in the notice unless, having regard to any further information which it has received, it is of the opinion
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16.6 | If the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member does not within the period stated in the notice agree in writing to the Investigation Committee proceeding as proposed in the notice, the Committee shall prefer the complaint to the Disciplinary Committee under bye-law 15.2(a) unless, having regard to any further information which it has received, it is of the opinion that no prima facie case exists, in which case it shall so find. |
16.7 | Paragraphs 1, 4 and 5 of bye-law 32 (time limits for payment of fines) shall apply in relation to any fine imposed by an order made under paragraph 2(a) or (b) of this bye-law as they apply in relation to a fine imposed by an order made by a tribunal; and paragraphs 2, 8 and 9 of bye-law 33 (time limits for payment of costs) shall apply in relation to any costs payable by virtue of an order made under paragraph 2(c) of this bye-law as they apply in relation to costs payable by virtue of an order made under bye-law 33(1). |
16.8 | Where any provision of bye-law 32 or 33 applies by virtue of paragraph 7 of this bye-law, it shall do so with the modification that any reference to the date of the order is to be taken to refer to the date of the relevant order under this bye-law. |
16.9 | Where the Investigation Committee makes an order under this bye-law, it shall cause to be published, as soon as practicable and in such a manner as it thinks fit, such a report as it thinks fit of its proceedings under this bye-law with respect to the complaint. |
16.10 | Except in so far as the Investigation Committee in its absolute discretion otherwise directs, a report published under paragraph 9 shall
but need not include the name of any other person or body concerned in the complaint. |
Cautions
16A.1 | If
the following provisions of this bye-law shall apply. |
16A.2 | The Investigation Committee shall serve on the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member concerned ('the subject of the complaint') a notice
as the case may be. |
16A.3 | A notice under paragraph 2 must be in, or substantially in, such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Investigation Committee and must explain the extent to which, in accordance with regulations, the proposed order, if made, would be communicated to others; and in that paragraph 'a fixed sum' means the fixed sum for the time being so prescribed for such costs. |
16A.4 | If within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of service of a notice under paragraph 2 above the subject of the complaint serves notice on the head of staff that he is unwilling to accept the finding that a prima facie case exists, then, unless on reconsideration the Committee finds that no prima facie case exists, it shall prefer the whole or part of the complaint to the Disciplinary Committee under bye-law 15.2(a). |
16A.5 | If no notice under paragraph 4 is served on the head of staff within that period, the Investigation Committee shall make the order proposed in the notice served under paragraph 2. |
16A.6 | Any costs ordered under this bye-law shall be paid within the period of 30 days beginning with the date of the order; and bye-law 33.8 (latest time for payment of costs) shall apply to costs payable to the Institute under this bye-law as it applies to costs payable under bye-law 33, but with the omission of the words 'or instalments of costs' and 'or under'. |
16A.7 | Except with the consent of the subject of the complaint in question, this bye-law shall not apply to a complaint involving facts or matters which occurred before 7 October 1999. |
Complainant's right to review
Review of finding of no prima facie case
17.1 | This bye-law applies where, under bye-law 15, 16 or 16A, the Investigation Committee finds that a complaint laid before it does not disclose a prima facie case against the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member concerned. |
17.2 | A complainant may apply in writing to the head of staff for a review of the finding, and the head of staff shall refer every such application to a reviewer of complaints (the reviewer) who, subject to paragraph 3, shall consider the application. |
17.3 | The reviewer shall not consider the application if it was received by the head of staff after the end of the period of six months beginning with the date of the finding unless
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17.4 | If, after considering the application, the reviewer is of the opinion that one or more of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph 5 apply, he shall remit the application to the Investigation Committee with a recommendation that the whole or part of the complaint be reconsidered. |
17.5 | Those circumstances are that
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17.6 | If, after considering the application, the reviewer is of the opinion that none of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph 5 applies, he shall so inform the complainant and the Investigation Committee and give them in writing his reasons for being of that opinion. |
17.7 | The reviewer may request the head of staff to provide him with such technical assistance as the reviewer considers necessary to enable him to perform his functions under this bye-law; and the head of staff shall comply with any reasonable request made under this paragraph. |
17.8 | The reviewer may require the Investigation Committee to exercise its powers under bye-law 13 in order to obtain such information, such explanations and such books, records and documents as he considers necessary to enable him to perform his functions under this bye-law; and for this purpose the reference in that bye-law to the Committee's functions shall be taken to include those of the reviewer. |
Further investigation of complaint after review
18.1 | If under bye-law 17.4 the reviewer remits the application to the Investigation Committee with a recommendation that the whole or part of the complaint be reconsidered, the complaint or that part of it shall be treated by the Committee as if it had then been newly laid before it by the head of staff, except that
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18.2 | If it appears to the Investigation Committee, after reconsidering the complaint as required by paragraph 1, that there is still no prima facie case against the member, member firm, regulated firm or provisional member concerned, it shall inform the reviewer of its reasons for proposing so to find; and the reviewer may, within the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which he is so informed, or such longer period as the Committee may allow, send the Committee such comments, if any, on the proposed finding as he thinks fit. |
18.3 | On receipt of any such comments within the period mentioned in paragraph 2 the Investigation Committee shall consider its proposed finding in the light of them, and shall then decide whether or not it is of the opinion that the complaint discloses a prima facie case. |
18.4 | If
the Committee shall proceed to decide whether or not it is of the opinion that the complaint discloses a prima facie case. |
18.5 | If under paragraph 3 or 4, the Investigation Committee finds that the complaint does not disclose a prima facie case, it shall inform the complainant and the reviewer in writing of its reasons for so finding. |
Disciplinary proceedings
Tribunals
19.1 | On receipt by the Disciplinary Committee of a formal complaint, the Chairman of that Committee or, failing him, any Vice-Chairman of that Committee |
19.2 | If, in the case of a tribunal so appointed, any member of the tribunal
the remaining members, if not less than two in number, may at their discretion proceed or continue with the hearing; but if the defendant is present or represented at the hearing, they shall do so only if he or his representative consents. |
19.3 | If, in a case falling within paragraph 2, the remaining members of the tribunal
the complaint shall be heard or re-heard by a new tribunal appointed under paragraph 1. |
19.4 | If at any time during the hearing of a formal complaint the chairman of the tribunal appointed under paragraph 1 is for any reason of the opinion that it is impracticable or would be contrary to the interests of justice for the hearing to be completed by that tribunal, he shall so inform the Chairman or, failing him, any Vice-Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, who shall thereupon direct that the complaint be re-heard by a new tribunal so appointed. |
19.5 | The Disciplinary Committee may appoint a barrister or a solicitor to act as legal assessor at the hearing of a formal complaint. |
19.6 | Where a new tribunal is appointed pursuant to paragraph 3 or 4, or to an order made on appeal under bye-law 29.2(e), no member of the previous tribunal may be appointed as a member of the new one; but a person appointed as a legal assessor may continue to act at any re-hearing of the complaint. |
Hearing of formal complaint
20.1 | As soon as practicable after the appointment of a tribunal to hear a formal complaint, the head of staff shall serve on the defendant a notice stating the terms of the complaint and the time and place fixed for the hearing. |
20.2 | The defendant may appear before the tribunal in person or by a representative. |
20.3 | The tribunal shall give the defendant or his representative a reasonable opportunity of being heard before it. |
20.4 | If the defendant does not attend and is not represented at the hearing, then, provided that the tribunal is satisfied that the notice required by paragraph 1 was served on him, the tribunal may hear the formal complaint in his absence. |
20.5 | The Investigation Committee may appoint the head of staff or any member of the Institute, or may instruct a barrister or solicitor, to present the formal complaint before the tribunal. |
Temporary suspension of activities of authorised firm
21.1 | If, at any time while a tribunal is considering a formal complaint against an authorised firm, it is of the opinion, as regards all or any of the firm's exempt regulated activities under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, that their continuation may materially prejudice the interests of any client of the firm, it may serve on the firm a notice specifying the activities as to which it is of that opinion and ordering the firm to suspend them for a specified period (not exceeding 30 days) beginning at the time of service of the notice. |
21.2 | A notice under paragraph 3 of bye-law 16 (consent orders) served on a firm undertaking exempt regulated activities under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 shall mention the power available under this bye-law (as well as the orders referred to in paragraph 4(c) of that bye-law). |
Powers of tribunal
22.1 | If the tribunal appointed to hear a formal complaint is of the opinion that the complaint has been proved in whole or in part, it shall make a finding to that effect; but if it is not of that opinion, it shall dismiss the complaint. |
22.2 | If the tribunal finds that the formal complaint has been proved in whole or in part, it may (unless it is of the opinion that in all the circumstances it is inappropriate to do so) make against the defendant such one or more of the orders available against him under the following provisions of these bye-laws, namely
as it considers appropriate, having regard to the past disciplinary record, if any, of the defendant, the tribunal's views as to the nature and seriousness of the formal complaint (so far as proved), and any other circumstances which the tribunal considers relevant. |
22.3 | If the defendant is a member, the orders available against him are
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22.4 | If the defendant is a member firm, the orders available against it are
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22.5 | If the defendant is an authorised firm, the orders available against it are
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22.6 | If the defendant is a registered auditor, the orders available against it are
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22.7 | If the defendant is a provisional member, the orders available against him are
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22.8 | An order under this bye-law may include such terms and conditions (if any) as the tribunal considers appropriate including, in the case of an order for exclusion from membership made against a member, a recommendation that no application for his readmission be entertained before the end of a specified period. |
22.9 | An order under this bye-law against a member, member firm or regulated firm may include a direction requiring him (at his own expense) to obtain advice from a specified source and to implement the advice obtained. |
22.10 | In this bye-law 'specified', in relation to any order or direction under this bye-law, means specified in the order or direction. |
Orders for waiver or repayment of fees or commission
23.1 | If the tribunal appointed to hear a formal complaint against a member or member firm engaged in public practice or against a regulated firm finds the complaint proved in whole or in part, it may make one or more of the following orders against the defendant namely:
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23.2 | Before making an order under paragraph 1 the tribunal
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23.3 | Where an order is made under paragraph 1, the total of
shall not exceed £10,000 or such other sum as may from time to time be fixed for the purposes of this paragraph by direction of the Council. |
23.4 | The tribunal making an order under paragraph 1 may include in it such terms or conditions as it thinks fit. |
23.5 | In this bye-law 'client' includes a former client. |
Remedial orders
24.1 | If the tribunal appointed to hear a formal complaint against a member or member firm engaged in public practice or against a regulated firm finds the complaint proved in whole or in part, it may make one or more of the following orders against the defendant namely
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24.2 | If the tribunal finds the complaint proved in whole or in part, then, whether it makes any order under paragraph 1 or not, the tribunal:
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24.3 | Bye-law 23.2 shall apply in relation to the making of any order or appointment under paragraph 1 or 2 as it applies in relation to the making of an order under bye-law 23.1. |
24.4 | In the event of a dispute between the defendant and a member, member firm or regulated firm appointed under paragraph 2 as to the fees payable by virtue of an order under paragraph 2(b), the Investigation Committee may either
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24.5 | The tribunal making an order under paragraph 1 may include in it such terms or conditions (if any) as it thinks fit. |
24.6 | A defendant against whom an order has been made under paragraph 1 of bye-law 23 requiring him to do all or any of the things mentioned in that paragraph shall be treated for the purposes of paragraph 1(a) of this bye-law as having no lien in respect of the fees to which the order relates, if those requirements
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24.7 | In this bye-law
'client' includes a former client; 'specified', in relation to any order under this bye-law, means specified in the order. |
Expenses
24A.1 | If the tribunal appointed to hear a formal complaint against a member or member firm or against a regulated firm finds the complaint proved in whole or in part, it may make an order that the defendant shall pay a sum to the Institute which will be sufficient to reimburse the complainant for such expense as, in the opinion of the tribunal, was reasonably and necessarily incurred by the complainant in
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24A.2 | Bye-law 23.2 shall apply in relation to the making of any order under paragraph 1 as it applies in relation to the making of an order under bye-law 23.1. |
24A.3 | Where an order is made under paragraph 1, the sum which is ordered to be paid shall not exceed 1,000 or such other sum as may from time to time be fixed for the purposes of this paragraph by the direction of Council. |
24A.4 | The tribunal making an order under paragraph 1 may include in it such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. |
24A.5 | In this bye-law and bye-law 34B, complainant means the person who under bye-law 9.1 brought to the attention of, or reported to, the head of staff any of the facts and matters which constitute the complaint. |
Time when tribunal's order takes effect
25.1 | Subject to the following provisions of this bye-law, an order made by the tribunal appointed to hear a formal complaint shall, unless the tribunal otherwise directs, take effect at the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the order. |
25.2 | If within that period the defendant serves notice of appeal
then, subject to paragraph 3, the order shall take effect, if at all, only after the appeal has been determined under the following provisions of these bye-laws. |
25.3 | If, before the appeal has been so determined, the defendant by notice withdraws the notice of appeal
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25.4 | This bye-law does not apply to an order for the payment of costs made by the tribunal under bye-law 33.1. |
Appeals
Right of appeal
26.1 | Subject to bye-law 33.5 in the case of an order for exclusion from membership, if a tribunal makes an order against the defendant, he may within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the order serve on the head of staff notice of appeal
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26.2 | The grounds on which the defendant may appeal against an order include the ground that the amount of any costs ordered by the tribunal to be paid by him is excessive (but not the ground that the amount of any costs ordered by it to be paid to him by the Institute is too small). |
26.3 | A notice of appeal under paragraph 1 shall be of no effect unless, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the written record of the tribunal's decision was served on him, or such longer period as the Chairman of the Appeal Committee or, failing him, its Vice-Chairman may within that period allow, the defendant serves on the head of staff a notice stating the grounds of appeal. |
26.4 | A notice under paragraph 3 stating the grounds of appeal may be combined with the notice of appeal; but the grounds stated in a notice under paragraph 3 as served on the head of staff shall not be amended thereafter except with the leave of the panel appointed under bye-law 27 to hear the appeal. |
26.5 | A defendant may withdraw a notice of appeal by serving on the head of staff notice to that effect. |
26.6 | If the defendant serves a notice of appeal under paragraph 1 but fails to serve a notice stating the grounds of appeal before the end of the period allowed by or under paragraph 3, the tribunal's order shall take effect under bye-law 25.3 as if the defendant had served a notice of withdrawal of the appeal on the head of staff on the last day of that period. |
26.7 | If, after the period of 28 days allowed by paragraph 1 has expired, the defendant serves on the head of staff a written application (in the prescribed form) for leave to serve notice of appeal under that paragraph notwithstanding the expiration of that period, then
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26.8 | Leave shall not be given under paragraph 7(b) unless the panel is satisfied that the defendant could not reasonably have been expected to serve notice of appeal within the period of 28 days originally allowed by paragraph 1. |
26.9 | Where, in the case of an order made by a tribunal against a defendant, leave to serve notice of appeal out of time is given under paragraph 7(b)
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26.10 | In this bye-law 'prescribed' means prescribed by regulations. |
Panels
27.1 | As soon as practicable after the receipt by the head of staff of an effective notice of appeal under bye-law 26 the Chairman of the Appeal Committee or, failing him, its Vice-Chairman shall appoint a panel to hear the appeal. |
27.2 | A panel so appointed shall consist of
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27.3 | If any member of the panel, other than its chairman
the remaining members, if not less than four in number, may at their discretion proceed or continue with the hearing; but if the defendant is present or represented at the hearing, they shall do so only if he or his representative consents. |
27.4 | If, in a case falling within paragraph 3, the remaining members of the panel
the appeal shall be heard or re-heard by a new panel appointed under paragraph 1. |
27.5 | If at any time during the hearing of an appeal the chairman of the panel appointed under paragraph 1 is for any reason of the opinion that it is impracticable or would be contrary to the interests of justice for the hearing to be completed by that panel, he shall so inform the Chairman or, failing him, the Vice-Chairman of the Appeal Committee who shall thereupon direct that the appeal be re-heard by a new panel so appointed. |
27.6 | The Appeal Committee may appoint a barrister or solicitor to act as legal assessor at the hearing. |
27.7 | Where a new panel is appointed pursuant to paragraph 4 or 5, no member of the original panel may be appointed as a member of the new one; but a person appointed as a legal assessor may continue to act at any re-hearing of the appeal. |
Hearing of appeals
28.1 | As soon as practicable after the appointment under bye-law 27.1 of a panel to hear an appeal, the head of staff shall serve on the defendant a notice stating the time and place fixed for the hearing. |
28.2 | The defendant may appear before the panel in person or by a representative. |
28.3 | The panel shall give the defendant or his representative a reasonable opportunity of being heard before it. |
28.4 | If the defendant does not attend and is not represented at the hearing then, provided that the panel is satisfied that the notice required by paragraph 1 was served on him, the tribunal may hear the appeal in his absence. |
28.5 | If the defendant or his representative so requests, the hearing of the appeal shall be held in public; but notwithstanding such a request, the panel may exclude the press and public from all or part of the hearing in circumstances in which Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights permits this. |
28.6 | The Investigation Committee may appoint the head of staff or any member of the Institute, or may instruct a barrister or solicitor, to appear on behalf of the Committee at the hearing of the appeal. |
Powers of panel on appeal
29.1 | On an appeal under bye-law 26.1 against an order made on a formal complaint, the panel appointed to hear the appeal
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29.2 | On such an appeal, the panel may by order
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29.3 | An order made by a panel on an appeal under bye-law 26.1 shall take effect on the date of the order unless the panel directs that it shall take effect as from some later date specified in the order. |
Intervention orders
Intervention orders
30.1 | Where, whether in the course of considering a complaint or not, the Investigation Committee is of the opinion that a member engaged in public practice
the Committee may (subject to paragraph 3 and, where it applies, paragraph 8) make against him one or more of the orders available against him under paragraph 2. |
30.2 | The orders available against a member are
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30.3 | Where a member is engaged in public practice
an order under this bye-law (other than one confined to suspending his practising certificate) shall not be made against him unless it is also made against each other partner or director so engaged who is a member. |
30.4 | In determining under this bye-law whether or not a member's professional competence or efficiency is seriously impaired as a result of ill-health or mental incapacity, the Investigation Committee may rely on a report by a registered medical practitioner; but the absence of such a report shall not prevent the Committee from so determining on the basis of the member's conduct. |
30.5 | For the purposes of this bye-law a member shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed to have abandoned the practice of which he is a principal if
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30.6 | An order under this bye-law
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30.7 | Where the Investigation Committee has made an order against a member under this bye-law, it may on a written application made by him or on its own initiative |
30.8 | Before making an order against a member under this bye-law or taking any action under paragraph 7 the Investigation Committee shall
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30.9 | Paragraph 8 shall not apply if, in the opinion of the Investigation Committee, delay in taking action under paragraphs 1 to 6 or paragraph 7 would seriously prejudice the interests of any person, whether a client of the member concerned or not; but where the Committee acts by virtue of this paragraph without having done as provided in paragraph 8, it shall promptly
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30.10 | As soon as practicable after making any order under this bye-law the Investigation Committee shall serve a copy of the order on the member concerned. |
30.11 | Where the Investigation Committee makes any order under this bye-law, it shall cause a statement to that effect to be published, as soon as practicable, in such manner as it thinks fit. |
30.12 | Except insofar as the Investigation Committee in its absolute discretion otherwise directs, a statement published under paragraph 11 shall
but need not include the name of any other person or body concerned. |
Appeals against intervention orders
31.1 | If the Investigation Committee makes an order against a member under bye-law 30 (intervention orders), he may within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the order serve on the head of staff notice of appeal |
31.2 | The provisions of these bye-laws mentioned in column 1 of the table set out in paragraph 6 (which relate to appeals against orders made by tribunals) shall apply in relation to appeals under paragraph 1 of this bye-law as if references in those provisions to a tribunal, to an order made by a tribunal (or on a formal complaint) and to the defendant were respectively references to the Investigation Committee, to an order made by it under bye-law 30, and to the member against whom that order was made. |
31.3 | In their application by virtue of paragraph 2 the provisions mentioned in column 1 of that table shall have effect subject to any further modifications specified in column 2 of the table. |
31.4 | On an appeal under paragraph 1 the panel appointed to hear the appeal may, whether the appeal is successful or not, order the member concerned to pay the Institute by way of costs of the appeal such sum as the panel may in its absolute discretion determine. |
31.5 | Any costs ordered under paragraph 4 shall, unless a longer period for payment (whether by instalments or not) is allowed by order of the panel, be paid within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the order; and paragraphs 8 and 9 of bye-law 33 (time for payment of costs) shall apply in relation to any costs or instalment of costs payable under this bye-law as if references to that bye-law and to paragraph 8 of it were references to this bye-law and this paragraph respectively. |
31.6 | The following is the table referred to above
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Fines and costs
Time limits for payment of fines
32.1 | Subject to paragraph 2, a fine imposed by an order of a tribunal appointed to hear a formal complaint shall, unless a longer period for payment (whether by instalments or not) is allowed by the order, be paid within the period of 30 days beginning with the date of the order. |
32.2 | If the defendant gives notice of appeal against the order of the tribunal within the period allowed by bye-law 26.1, the fine shall not become payable until the appeal has been determined under these bye-laws, and shall then be payable, if at all, in accordance with the following provisions of this bye-law. |
32.3 | A fine
shall be paid within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the order unless a longer period for payment (whether by instalments or not) is allowed by the order of the panel. |
32.4 | Any fine or instalment of a fine imposed under these bye-laws must be received by the Institute before the close of business on the last day of the period allowed by or under these bye-laws for its payment (or, if that day is not a business day, before the close of business on the next business day). |
32.5 | Where
the whole of that fine or, as the case may be, so much of it as then remains unpaid shall become due for payment in accordance with paragraph 4 as if the last day of the period allowed for the payment of that instalment were the last day of the period allowed for the payment of the whole fine. |
Powers of tribunals and panels as to costs
33.1 | If the tribunal appointed to hear a formal complaint finds that the complaint has been proved in whole or in part, it may order the defendant to pay to the Institute by way of costs such sum as the tribunal may determine. |
33.1A | If the tribunal appointed to hear a formal complaint dismisses the complaint as wholly unproved or finds that the complaint has been proved in part only, it may order the Institute to pay to the defendant by way of costs such sum as the tribunal may (subject to and in accordance with regulations) in its absolute discretion determine. |
33.2 | Any costs ordered under paragraph 1 shall, unless a longer period for payment (whether by instalments or not) is allowed by the order, be paid within the period of 30 days beginning with the date of the order. |
33.3 | If within the period allowed by bye-law 26.1 the defendant serves notice of appeal against an order for payment of costs made under paragraph 1 of this bye-law, then, subject to paragraphs 4 and 5 of this bye-law (and to bye-law 26.3), those costs shall not become payable until the appeal has been determined under these bye-laws, and shall then be payable, if at all, in accordance with the following provisions of this bye-law. |
33.4 | If, before the appeal has been so determined, the defendant by notice withdraws the notice of appeal
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33.5 | A notice of appeal under bye-law 26.1 against an order that the defendant be excluded from membership shall be of no effect unless any costs ordered by the tribunal under paragraph 1 (or such part of those costs as may be determined by the Chairman of the Appeal Committee or, failing him, by its Vice Chairman, on the written application of the defendant) are paid on or before the giving of the notice; but any costs so paid shall be repaid if and so far as their amount is reduced or cancelled by the panel on the appeal. |
33.6 | On an appeal against an order made by a tribunal, the panel appointed to hear the appeal
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33.7 | Any costs ordered by the panel under paragraph 6(b), together with
shall, unless a longer period for payment (whether by instalments or not) is allowed by order of the panel, be paid within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the order of the panel. |
33.8 | Any costs or instalment of costs payable to the Institute under this bye-law must be received by the Institute before the close of business on the last day of the period allowed by or under this bye-law for payment (or, if that day is not a business day, before the close of business on the next business day). |
33.9 | Where
the whole of those costs or, as the case may be, so much of them as then remains unpaid, shall become due for payment in accordance with paragraph 8 as if the last day of the period allowed for the payment of that instalment were the last day of the period allowed for the payment of the whole of those costs. |
Liability for fines and costs payable by member firms
34.1 | Where a member firm has been ordered to pay any fine or costs under these bye-laws, the following provisions of this bye-law apply. |
34.2 | Any member or former member who at, or at any time since, the relevant time:
shall be liable for the full amount of the fine or costs in question; and where two or more persons are so liable under this paragraph, they shall be jointly and severally liable. |
34.3 | If any member or former member fails to pay on demand any amount which he is liable to pay under paragraph 2, the failure shall have the same consequences under the bye-laws as it would if the fine or costs had been imposed on him individually. |
34.4 | In this bye-law 'the relevant time' has the same meaning as in the definition of 'firm' contained in bye-law 1.2. |
Refund of fees, commission and expenses
Time limit for payment of fees, commission and expenses
34A | Bye-law 32 (time limits for payment of fines) shall apply in relation to an order for the payment of a sum under bye-law 23.1 or bye-law 24A.1 as it applies in relation to an order for the payment of fines. |
Refund of sums to complaints
34B | When any sum of which payment is ordered under bye-law 23.1 or bye-law 24A.1 is paid to the Institute, the Institute shall pay the same sum to the client (if ordered under bye-law 23.1) or to the complaint (if ordered under bye-law 24A.1) within 21 days. |
Publicity
Publication of findings and other orders
35.1 | Subject to paragraphs 2 and 4, where a tribunal or panel makes any finding or other order under these bye-laws, it shall cause a record of its decision to be published, as soon as practicable, in such a manner as it thinks fit. |
35.2 | Where a tribunal dismisses a formal complaint, or, on an appeal, a panel decides that a formal complaint has been proved neither in whole nor in part, it shall cause a record of its decision to be so published if, but only if, the defendant so requests. |
35.3 | Unless the tribunal or, as the case may be, the panel otherwise directs, a record of its decision published under this bye-law shall state the name of the defendant and describe the finding and the other order or orders (if any) made against him, but need not include the name of any other person or body concerned in the formal complaint or appeal. |
35.4 | A tribunal shall not cause a record of its decision to be published under paragraph 1 until the period allowed by bye-law 26.1 for giving notice of appeal against the order has expired; and if an effective notice of appeal is given under bye-law 26, then, unless the appeal is abandoned
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35.5 | Notwithstanding paragraphs 2 and 4, a tribunal or panel may cause a record of its decision to be published at any time if in its opinion publication is desirable in view of any statement or comment made in the public domain. |
35.6 | The restrictions imposed by the preceding provisions of this bye-law on publication of a record of the decision of a tribunal or panel shall not apply if the hearing by the tribunal or panel (as the case may be) was held wholly or partly in public. |
Publicity for the disciplinary process
36.1 | Notwithstanding anything in these bye-laws, the Chairman of the Investigation Committee may at any time make such public statements as he thinks fit concerning
being a matter or complaint which in his opinion is or involves a matter of public concern. |
36.2 | The power to make statements under paragraph 1
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36.3 | The Chairman of the Investigation Committee may authorise the disclosure to a complaint of information concerning any proceedings brought or to be brought before the Investigation Committee or a tribunal or panel. |
36.4 | An authorisation under paragraph 3 may be given subject to any restrictions which the Chairman of the Investigation Committee thinks appropriate. |
36.5 | A hearing of a formal complaint or appeal may be held in public if the Council has authorised it to be so held; and an authorisation under this paragraph may
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36.6 | Paragraph 5 does not affect a panel's duty under bye-law 28.5 to hear an appeal in public if so requested by the defendant or his representative, or its power under bye-law 28.5 to exclude the press and public in the circumstances there mentioned. |
36.7 | Where any hearing is held in public by virtue of an authorisation under paragraph 5, the chairman of the tribunal or panel may exclude the press and public from all or part of the proceedings if it appears to him desirable to do so in the interests of justice or for any other special reason. |
3.8 | In this bye-law 'statutory functions' means powers and duties conferred or imposed by or under any Act of Parliament or by or under any legislation (wherever in force) for the time being designated in regulations. |
Commencement and transitional provisions
Commencement and transitional provisions
37.1 | These bye-laws, as originally allowed, came into force on 1 September 1998; and references to these bye-laws in paragraphs 2 to 7 of this bye-law refer to them as originally allowed. |
37.2 | Subject to the following paragraphs of this bye-law, these bye-laws apply in relation to
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37.3 | In bye-law 7 (proof of certain matters)
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37.4 | An application for the review of a decision of the Investigation Committee made before the commencement of these bye-laws shall be proceeded with under Schedule 2 to the former bye-laws; but if under that Schedule the reviewer of complaints remits the application to the Investigation Committee with a recommendation that it should be reconsidered, the application shall from then on be proceeded with under bye-law 18 of these bye-laws. |
37.5 | Where before the commencement of these bye-laws a tribunal or panel made a finding against a defendant under Schedule 2 to the former bye-laws, but did not make any other order against him, no record of its decision shall be published under bye-law 35 of these bye-laws unless the defendant so requests. |
37.6 | Without prejudice to section 16.1 (general savings) of the Interpretation Act 1978 as applied by bye-law 1.3, if Schedule 2 to the former bye-laws is rescinded, its rescission shall not affect the Institute's right to enforce any order, direction or requirement which was in force immediately before that rescission. |
37.7 | In this bye-law 'the former bye-laws' means the bye-laws of the Institute as in force immediately before the commencement of these bye-laws. |
37.8 | It is hereby declared that
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37.9 | Paragraph 8 does not affect the operation of paragraphs 2 to 7 of this bye-law or any other provision of these bye-laws which expressly restricts or extends the application of these bye-laws or any of them. |
Schedule - Bye-law 2 - Constitution of Investigation, Disciplinary and Appeal Committees and appointment of reviewers of complaints
The Investigation, Disciplinary and Appeal Committees
1.1 | The Council shall appoint an Investigation Committee, a Disciplinary Committee and an Appeal Committee, and in this paragraph 'the Committees' means those Committees and 'a Committee' means any of them. |
1.2 | Initial appointment as a member of a Committee shall be for a period of not less than three years (such period may be extended at the discretion of Council); but a member or former member of a Committee may be re-appointed. |
1.3 | The Council may terminate a person's membership of a Committee on grounds of serious misconduct or incapacity in such manner as shall be prescribed in regulations made by Council. Such regulations may include a provision to suspend any person's membership of a Committee pending final determination. |
1.4 | No person shall be a member of more than one of the Committees at the same time. |
1.5 | The Council may pay remuneration to, and the reasonable expenses of, the non-accountant members of a Committee. |
1.6 | A Committee may make such regulations (not inconsistent with the provisions of these bye-laws) as it considers necessary for the performance of its functions. |
The Investigation Committee
2.1 | The Investigation Committee shall consist of not fewer than 14 persons, of whom at least the required number must not be accountants. |
2.2 | The required number for this purpose is one quarter or, if the total number of members of the Committee is not divisible by four, one quarter of the first higher number that is so divisible. |
2.3 | The Committee may co-opt other persons, being either members of the Institute or persons who are not accountants, provided that the required number of non-accountants is maintained. |
2.4 | At a meeting of the Committee three members of the Committee, of whom two must be members of the Institute and one must not be an accountant, constitute a quorum. |
The Disciplinary Committee
3.1 | The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of not fewer than 14 persons, of whom at least the required number must not be accountants. |
3.2 | Paragraph 2.2 of this Schedule (meaning of 'required number') applies for this purpose. |
3.3 | No member of the Disciplinary Committee shall take part in a decision concerning a case if, while a member of the Investigation Committee, he took part in a decision on that case. |
The Appeal Committee
4.1 | The Appeal Committee shall consist of not fewer than 14 persons, of whom at least the required number must not be accountants. |
4.2 | Paragraph 2.2 of this Schedule (meaning of 'required number') applies for this purpose. |
4.3 | The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee must each be either a barrister or a solicitor; and neither of them shall be an accountant. |
4.4 | No serving member of the Council shall be appointed to the Appeal Committee. If a member of the Appeal Committee becomes a member of Council he shall with immediate effect cease to be a member of the Appeal Committee. |
4.5 | A person who, as a member of the Investigation Committee or the Disciplinary Committee, has been concerned with a formal complaint or with the making of an order under bye-law 30 (intervention orders) shall not be appointed to a panel which is to hear an appeal arising out of that complaint or order. |
Reviewers of complaints
5.1 | The Council shall appoint one or more reviewers of complaints, none of whom shall be an accountant. |
5.2 | Appointment as a reviewer of complaints shall be for a period of not less than three years, and any such appointment may be renewed. |
5.3 | The Council shall pay remuneration to, and the reasonable expenses of, every reviewer of complaints, and shall indemnify him against any civil liability incurred by him in that capacity. |
5.4 | The reviewer of complaints or, if two or more such reviewers are appointed, those reviewers acting jointly, shall make a report to the Council annually. |