Hearing/Health Panel – Public or private hearing

a. All Hearing/Health Panel hearings will be held in public unless otherwise directed; all other panels will be normally held in private. Where a Panel recommends that all or part of a hearing should be held in private, the Complaints and Resolution Manager will notify the Member of that recommendation. 

b. BABCP or the Member may apply to the Panel to hold all or part of the hearing in private. Any such application should be made as soon as reasonably practicable and must explain why a private hearing is necessary. The application may be determined in writing before the hearing or at the hearing.

c. The Panel may decide to hold all or part of the hearing in private to protect the welfare of any person involved, maintain confidentiality, or ensure the fairness of proceedings. The Panel may make such a direction on its own initiative, on application by a party, or following a recommendation from the Screening Panel.

d. Hearings will normally be held in private in cases involving serious sexual misconduct, vulnerable witnesses, or matters concerning the physical or mental health of the Member.

e. The Panel may exclude any person, including the Complainant from any part of a hearing.

f. The Panel may adjourn the hearing at any time to deliberate in private.

g. The Panel may exclude any person from the hearing if their presence or conduct is likely to disrupt the proceedings.

h. Notices of upcoming public hearings will be published on the BABCP website.