S.L. 464.20 Art. 17Admission or refutation.

(1) If the health care professional concerned admits the charge, the Disciplinary Committee shall:

(a) dispense with the production of witnesses and proceed to give its decision on that day or on any other day, but in any case not later than thirty (30) days from the date of the hearing appointed for the purpose; or

(b) continue with the hearing of the witnesses and evidence should it so decide that it shall hear certain evidence before arriving at a decision on the disciplinary measure.

(2) If the health care professional concerned refutes the charge, the Disciplinary Committee shall proceed with the disciplinary proceedings.

(3) If the health care professional concerned fails to attend the hearing without just cause despite being served with the documents in accordance with regulation 12(1) and the notice of hearing in accordance with regulation 12(4), the Disciplinary Committee may, if it thinks fit, proceed with the disciplinary proceedings even in the absence of the health care professional:

Provided that if the health care professional concerned is unable to attend for a just cause, he may if he so prefers, request that the disciplinary proceedings be proceeded with in his absence or in the presence of his appointed representative.