Page:Accountants Act 2004.pdf/40

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40
NO. 4 OF 2004


the Complaints Committee in conducting its inquiry, the Complaints Committee may apply in writing to the Oversight Committee for an extension of time to complete its inquiry and the Oversight Committee may grant such extension of time to the Complaints Committee as it thinks fit.

(10) All information, including such book, document, paper or other records used by a Complaints Committee in the course of its deliberations, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person including the public accountant, accounting corporation or accounting firm concerned unless the Complaints Committee in its discretion decides otherwise.

(11) The chairman of the Complaints Committee shall record its proceedings in writing and in sufficient detail to enable the Oversight Committee to follow the course of the proceedings.

Powers of Complaints Committee

46.—(1) For the purposes of any inquiry, a Complaints Committee may—

(a) call upon or appoint any person the Complaints Committee considers necessary to assist it in its inquiry;
(b) require any person—
(i) to produce any book, document, paper or other record which may be related to or be connected with the subject-matter of the inquiry for inspection by the Complaints Committee or the person appointed under paragraph (a) and for making copies thereof; or
(ii) to give all information in relation to any such book, document, paper or other record which may be reasonably required by the Complaints Committee or the person so appointed; and
(c) require any person to attend at a specified time and place and give evidence or produce any such book, document, paper or record.

(2) Any person who, without lawful excuse, refuses or fails to comply with any requirement of the Complaints Committee under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not