Hong Kong Ordinances

CHIROPRACTORS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE - SECT 17

Inquiry committee and rules of conduct

(Past version on 06/04/2001).

(1) The Council may refer any complaint alleging a disciplinary  offence to an
inquiry committee for decision, and for that purpose the Council may establish
an inquiry committee of not less than 3 of its members, one of whom shall be a
person appointed under section 3(2)(b), to determine whether or not the
registered chiropractor against whom the complaint is made has committed a
disciplinary offence.

(2) The Secretary shall send notice of a referral under subsection

(1) and an adequate statement of the substance of the complaint by prepaid
registered post to the registered address of the registered chiropractor.

(3) The Council may make rules providing for the conduct of its inquiries by
an inquiry committee and for other matters relating to the investigation of an
alleged disciplinary offence.

(4) The Legal Adviser shall be present at every inquiry conducted by an
inquiry committee.

(5) The inquiry committee shall not proceed to hear evidence of a complaint
concerning a disciplinary offence unless it is satisfied that the requirements
of subsection (2) have been complied with and that the registered chiropractor
in respect of whom the complaint is made has been given 28 days' notice of the
complaint and the date, time and place of the hearing.

(6) The registered chiropractor referred to in subsection (5) shall be
entitled to attend and hear all evidence produced at the hearing and informed
of any advice tendered by the Legal Adviser to the inquiry  committee under
section 7(3) and shall be provided with a copy of this Ordinance and any rules
made under this section.

(7) The Council may make rules for the rehearing of an inquiry by an
inquiry committee.

(8) Where a registered chiropractor is alleged to have committed a
disciplinary offence under section 16(1)(b) or (f), the inquiry committee-

   (a)  shall not be required to inquire whether the registered  chiropractor
        was properly convicted of the alleged offence; and

   (b)  may consider any record of the case in which a conviction was recorded
        and any other evidence which the inquiry committee may think is
        relevant as showing the nature and gravity of the offence.

(9) The inquiry committee may, in deciding whether a person has committed a
disciplinary offence, have regard to any rules of professional conduct or Code
of Practice made or issued by the Council. (Enacted 1993)