2 Code of Practice Panel – Constitution and Procedure

2.1 The Panel consists of the members of the Authority and meets as business requires to consider complaints made under the Code.

The member of the Authority who acted as case preparation manager for a particular case must not participate when the Panel considers it or be present when it does so.

The parties have no right to appear or be represented before the Panel.

2.2 Two members of the Authority form a quorum for a meeting of the Panel. Decisions are made by majority voting. The Director or, in their absence, the Deputy Director or, in their absence, the Secretary, acts as Chairman of the Panel and has both an original and a casting vote.

Rulings are made on the basis that a complainant has the burden of proving their complaint on the balance of probabilities.

2.3 The Director may obtain expert assistance in any field. Expert advisers who are consulted may be invited to attend a meeting of the Panel but have no voting rights.