Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982)RulesRules relating to the disciplinary processes against the veterinary and para-veterinary professionsProcedure at Inquiries into Professional Conduct6. Inquiry into professional conduct |
| (1) | On receipt of a directive to hold an inquiry, the Registrar must summons the respondent by means of a notice addressed to the respondent stating where and when the inquiry into the professional conduct will be held and enclosing a charge as approved by the Investigation Committee. |
| (2) | The notice must be served on the respondent or mailed to him/her at his/her registered address by prepaid registered post, delivery by the sheriff of the Court or if agreed in writing, served by e-mail. Provided that receipt of the summons is telephonically confirmed. |
| (3) | The administration must prepare a bundle of documents and a list of witnesses to be called at the inquiry which must be submitted to the respondent or his/her legal representative ten (10) working days prior to the date of the inquiry. |
| (4) | The bundle of documents will be submitted to the Inquiry Body at least three (3) working days prior to the date of the inquiry to facilitate the process at the inquiry. |
| (5) | The respondent and/or his/her legal representative must submit any additional documents to be utilised at the inquiry and a list of witnesses to be called to the administration within three (3) working days of receipt of the bundle of documents, failing which no further documentation may be admitted into evidence or further witnesses called, unless approved on application by the Inquiry Body. Adequate reasons for failing to submit the documents in the discovery process or advising of the witness to be called must be provided to the Inquiry Body. |
| (6) | Should a respondent object to the submission of the bundle of documents to the Inquiry Body, the respondent must object in writing and must give reasons for the objection. |
| (7) | Should the Registrar deem it necessary due to the complexity of a complaint, a pre-inquiry meeting must be held between the pro forma complainant and the legal representative of the respondent or the respondent in person to agree on common cause facts and facts in contention, as well as which points in limine are to be argued. |
| (8) | The respondent is responsible for securing the presence of his/her own witnesses at his/her own cost at the inquiry. The option of electronic attendance of a witness is available at no cost to the respondent. |