CAP. 55]
Labour Relations
[1975 Ed.
Hearing to be in public or in private.
Place of hearing.
Language of proceedings.
Right of audience.
Evidence.
Use of evidence in civil or criminal proceedings. (Cap. 200.)
24. The proceedings of a board of inquiry may be held in public or in private as the board of inquiry thinks fit.
25. A board of inquiry shall sit at such places and times as, having regard to the convenience of the parties and witnesses, it thinks fit.
26. The proceedings before a board of inquiry shall be conducted in the English or Chinese language as the board of inquiry thinks fit.
27. (1) Subject to subsection (3), the following persons shall have a right of audience before a board of inquiry-
(a) any party;
(b) an office bearer of a registered trade union or of an association of employers, if-
(i) the trade union or association is a party; or
(ii) members of the trade union or association are parties; and
(c) subject to subsection (2), any person (including a barrister or solicitor) representing a party.
(2) An office bearer of a registered trade union or of an association of employers shall not have a right of audience on behalf of a party under subsection (1)(c).
(3) A person referred to in subsection (1)(b) or (c) (other than a barrister or solicitor) shall have a right of audience on behalf of a party only if he is authorized in writing by the party to represent it.
28. (1) For the purposes of an inquiry, a board of inquiry may require any person-
(a) to furnish, in writing or otherwise, such particulars in relation to such matters as it may specify;
(b) to attend before it and give evidence on oath or otherwise;
(c) to produce such documents as it may specify.
(2) A requirement of a board of inquiry under subsection (1) shall be enforceable in like manner as an order of the High Court. (Amended, 92 of 1975, s. 59)
(3) For the purposes of an inquiry, a board of inquiry shall not be bound by the rules of evidence in civil or criminal proceedings.
29. Evidence given by a person before a board of inquiry shall not be admissible against him in any civil or criminal proceedings by or against him, except where he is charged with an offence under Part V (Perjury) of the Crimes Ordinance.