S.L. 458.12 Art. 12Admission or refutation.

(1) If the practitioner admits the charge the Council may, in its discretion, dispense with the production of witnesses and proceed to give its decision on that day or on any other day appointed for the purpose.

(2) If the practitioner refutes the charge the Council shall proceed with the inquiry.

(3) If the practitioner fails to attend without just cause and the Council is satisfied that a notice of inquiry was sent as required by these rules, the Council may, if it thinks fit, proceed with the inquiry even in his absence:

Provided, however, that if the practitioner is unable to attend for a just cause, he may, if he so prefers, request that the inquiry be proceeded with and appoint one of the persons mentioned in rule 10(1) to represent him in the proceedings.