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Rh the formal inquiry after satisfying itself that the notice referred to in section 50 was duly served on him or it.

(8) A Disciplinary Committee may, for the purposes of its formal inquiry, administer an oath or affirmation to any person giving evidence before it, and any party to the proceedings may sue out writs of subpoena ad testificandum and of duces tecum.

(9) The writs referred to in subsection (8) shall be served and may be enforced as if they were writs issued in connection with a civil action in the High Court.

(10) Any person giving evidence before a Disciplinary Committee shall be legally bound to tell the truth.

(11) Persons giving evidence in a formal inquiry shall have the same privileges and immunities in relation to an inquiry as if it was a proceeding in a court of law.

(12) The hearing of a formal inquiry shall not be open to the public.

(13) A Disciplinary Committee shall carry out its work expeditiously and may apply to the Oversight Committee for an extension of time and for directions to be given to the Disciplinary Committee if the Disciplinary Committee fails to make its finding and order within 6 months from the date of its appointment.

(14) When an application for an extension of time has been made under subsection (13), the Oversight Committee may grant an extension of time for such period as it thinks fit.

(15) The Oversight Committee may, where it thinks fit, require a Disciplinary Committee to consider further evidence and meet for that purpose except that the public accountant, accounting corporation or accounting firm concerned shall be given not less than 14 days’ notice of such further meeting of the Disciplinary Committee.

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

(17) In sections 172, 173, 174, 175, 177, 179, 182 and 228 of the Penal Code (Cap. 224), “public servant” shall be deemed to include a member of a Disciplinary Committee holding a formal inquiry, and in sections 193