S.L. const.7 Art. 19Functions and Powers of Disciplinary Boards.

(1) Chairpersons and members of Disciplinary Boards shall take an oath or make a solemn declaration before a

Commissioner for Oaths prior to the commencement of the proceedings of the Disciplinary Board.

(2) Every Disciplinary Board appointed under regulation 18 to investigate the case shall establish the facts and communicate its findings to the Head of Department and to the officer charged by not later than forty (40) working days from the date of the first sitting:

Provided that where the charges were categorised as being of a minor nature the Disciplinary Board shall establish the facts and communicate its findings to the parties by not later than twenty

(20) working days from the date of the first sitting.

(3) The Disciplinary Board shall have the power to:

(a) seek expert advice whenever it considers such advice to be necessary or expedient;

(b) summon persons as witnesses to give evidence and to produce documents in their possession; and

(c) administer oaths.

(4) Where serious and justifiable reasons exist that may preclude the Disciplinary Board from communicating its findings within the period specified in sub-regulation (2), the Board shall refer the matter to the Permanent Secretary by whom it was appointed, seeking approval for an extension to the period indicated in sub-regulation (2):

Provided that where the charges were categorised as being of a minor nature the Permanent Secretary may only authorise one extension of a further twenty (20) working days to the period indicated in sub-regulation (2):

Provided further that in all other cases, where justified reasons exist, the Permanent Secretary may approve to extend the timeline stipulated in sub-regulation (2) by a further forty (40) working days. Notwithstanding, the proceedings before the Disciplinary Board may not, as far as possible, be extended beyond six (6) months from the date of the first sitting. Where extenuating circumstances exist that preclude the Disciplinary Board from concluding the proceedings within this timeframe, the Permanent Secretary shall seek direction from the Head of the Public Service or his delegate, who, after considering the extenuating circumstances, may approve a further extension for the Disciplinary Board to conclude the proceedings before it.