Commentary on Sections Part 2 – Conduct Complaints: Other Matters Section 48: Conduct complaints and reviews: power of relevant professional organisations to examine documents and demand explanations
90.Section 48 gives powers to relevant professional organisations to examine documents and demand explanations from a practitioner, a practitioner’s firm or an employing practitioner where they are satisfied they need to do so, either to investigate a conduct complaint or review a decision by them in relation to a conduct complaint. The procedure set out requires the organisations to give notice in writing to the practitioner requiring the production or delivery to them of documents relevant to the complaint, or an explanation regarding the matters to which the complaint relates. The documents in question are those listed in subsection (3).
91.The professional organisations may also give notice to the complainer requiring the production or delivery of books, accounts, deeds, securities, papers or other documents in the possession or control of the complainer; or an explanation regarding the matters to which the complaint relates.
92.Subsection (6) introduces schedule 4 which sets out further powers of relevant professional organisations in this context.