Singapore legislation
Section 53
Section 53
Powers and procedures of Disciplinary Committee
(1)
In the discharge of its functions under this Act, a Disciplinary Committee has all of the following powers:
to take evidence on oath;
to summon any person to attend any hearing of the Disciplinary Committee to give evidence or produce any document or other article in the person’s possession, except that no person is bound to answer any question or produce any document or other article in respect of any matter which would have been protected from disclosure on the ground of privilege if the proceedings had been held in any court;
to do anything which is necessary or expedient to enable it to perform its functions.
(2)
A Disciplinary Committee is not bound by the rules of evidence applicable to civil proceedings but may inform itself of any matter as it thinks fit.
(3)
All members of a Disciplinary Committee, in the performance of their functions and duties under this Act, are deemed to be public servants for the purposes of the Penal Code 1871.
(4)
Subject to the provisions of this Act, a Disciplinary Committee may regulate its own procedure in such manner as it thinks fit.
(5)
The quorum of a Disciplinary Committee is 3 members, one of whom must be the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee.
(6)
The Chairperson of a Disciplinary Committee must preside at any proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee.
(7)
A party to proceedings before a Disciplinary Committee may be represented by a solicitor, who may examine witnesses and address the Disciplinary Committee on behalf of the party.
(8)
The proceedings of a Disciplinary Committee are not open to the public.
(9)
All matters coming before a Disciplinary Committee must be decided by a majority of votes of the members present, and in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee has a second or casting vote.
(10)
No act or proceedings of a Disciplinary Committee may be questioned by reason only of any vacancy on it.