Complaints must be typewritten and submitted with a sufficient number of copies to enable the Board to provide one to each respondent plus one to each respondent plus one copy for the Board’s records.  Any reply must be typewritten and submitted with a sufficient number of copies to enable the Board to provide one to each complainant plus one copy for the Board’s records. Additional copies of the complaint and reply should be furnished by the complainant and respondent as requested by the  Secretary. If the complainant is a member of the public, extra copies of the complaint should not be requested

Complaints will be referred to the Board secretary (or Executive Officer), and by the Secretary to the Chairperson of the Grievance Committee.  If the Grievance Committee finds the matter to constitute a proper cause of action, it will be referred to the Board Secretary to arrange a hearing; if not found to constitute a proper cause of action, it will be returned to the complainant with the decision of the Grievance Committee, together with information advising the complainant of the procedures by which the Grievance Committee’s decision may be appealed to the Board of Directors

If there is to be a hearing, respondent will have fifteen (15) days after service of copy of the complaint to reply.  Copy of the reply will be sent to complainant, the Board President, and the Professional Standards Committee Chairperson. The date for hearing will be set and all parties will be notified of the date and place of hearing at least twenty-one (21) days in advance.

If no reply is received from respondent within fifteen (15) days from service of copy of the Ethics Complaint, date, time, and place of hearing will be set.

Counsel may represent all parties, provided that notice of intention to be represented is transmitted   to all other parties and to the Hearing Panel at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing.  Failure to provide timely notice may result in a continuance of the hearing.

It is the responsibility of each party to arrange for his witnesses to be present at the hearing.

Either party may file with the Secretary, within ten (10) days from the date the names of the members of the Professional Standards Committee are mailed to the parties, a written request for disqualification of any potential member of the Hearing Panel for any of the following reasons: