Section 71 – Referrals to the disciplinary committee
215.Subsections (1) and (2) of section 71 provide that in dealing with any matter referred to the disciplinary committee, the committee must consider any report made to the Commission under section 67(5)(a) (report of investigation into alleged misconduct) and any other relevant information held by the Commission and may hold a hearing if it is considered appropriate. Where a judicial officer requests a hearing relating to a matter under consideration, the disciplinary committee must hold a hearing.
216.Subsections (3) and (4) provide that the disciplinary committee must, when holding a hearing, allow the judicial officer, the person who carried out any investigation under section 67 and any other person the committee thinks appropriate, to make a statement orally or in writing and to lead or produce evidence.
217.Subsections (5) and (7) provide that the disciplinary committee may award expenses in any hearing in favour of or against the judicial officer to whom the hearing relates. Expenses awarded in favour of the judicial officer will be paid by the Commission while expenses awarded against the officer will be paid to the Commission by the officer.
218.The Commission may (under subsection (8)) make rules as to the procedures, including the procedures to be followed during a hearing, of the disciplinary committee.
219.Subsection (9) provides that any rules made under subsection (8) must be approved by the Scottish Ministers.
