Public hearings

A disciplinary process is an essential part of professional self-regulation. A fair disciplinary process must be transparent and open to scrutiny. Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.

CIMA policy requires Disciplinary Committee meetings - hearings - to be held in public. It recognises that public attendance will be encouraged if all those concerned with the process know what is expected of them and others.

Upcoming public hearings

CIMA's Disciplinary Committee will be sitting in open session for Disciplinary hearings on 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 June 2008 at 09.30 hrs at Allen & Overy LLP, One Bishops Square, London, E1 6AO.

Any member of the public wishing to attend should contact prof.conduct@cimaglobal.com or telephone +44 (0)20 8849 2341/2363.

Press enquiries should be directed to katie.scott-kurti@cimaglobal.com or telephone +44 (0)20 8849 2347.

Guidance notes for the press and public

Public hearings are generally held in CIMA’s Council Chambers on the lower ground floor of 26 Chapter Street, London, SW1P 4NP. They may be held at an external venue, at CIMA’s discretion.

Due to limitations on space and capacity, it is essential that members of the press and public wishing to attend a Disciplinary Committee hearing book in advance by telephoning the Secretariat. It will be necessary to provide CIMA with some personal information, including full name, employer and contact details. This information may be vital in the event of an emergency.

If the fire alarm sounds, everyone should leave the building immediately via the nearest fire exit. Once out of the building, they should remain at an assembly area so that a register can be taken. CIMA staff will assist in the evacuation and indicate assembly areas.

Public hearings normally start at 10.30am but are subject to change. Members of the press and public are advised to telephone CIMA 24 hours in advance to confirm hearing times.

On arriving at CIMA, members of the press and public must report to reception and must sign in. They will then be provided with a security badge and directed to the Council Chamber. The security badge must be worn at all times while in the building. Before leaving the building members of the press and public must report to reception to sign out and return their security badge.

Members of the press and public are asked to be in the Council Chamber at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the hearing. This is to avoid the disciplinary hearing being disturbed by latecomers.

Members of the press and public are requested to refrain from making excessive noise, as CIMA staff will be working in adjacent rooms.

Members of the press and public are requested to refrain from smoking anywhere on CIMA premises, including the toilets.

The toilets are located on the lower ground floor.

A list of cases to be heard and brief summaries of the charge against each respondent will be available in the Council Chamber.

CIMA reserves the right to require any member of the press or public to leave the premises or any part of the premises at any time.

At various points during a hearing the Disciplinary Committee must sit in-camera. This means that it will discuss and make decisions in private.

At such times the Disciplinary Committee will leave the Chamber, but its decisions and, where appropriate, the reasons for its decisions will be announced in the presence of the press and public.

Members of the press and public are requested to remain silent at all times within the Council Chamber and are reminded that mobile telephones should be switched off.

Members of the press and public are requested to enter or leave the Council Chamber only during adjournments. But, if it is necessary to enter or leave during session, please do so during a lull in the proceedings (such as at the change of witnesses, or following the close of an address to or by the Disciplinary Committee) and as quietly as possible.

Members of the press and public are requested to observe established etiquette of standing when the Disciplinary Committee members enter the Chamber and when the Disciplinary Committee members rise to leave. The Committee Secretary will indicate the appropriate times.

During the course of proceedings, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee may provide brief explanations to the press and the public about the procedure, such as ‘the Respondent will now present his evidence and call his witnesses’.

At various points in the proceedings, it may be necessary for the Disciplinary Committee to adjourn. The Chairman will announce that an adjournment is necessary, the reason for it and, where appropriate, the time at which the Disciplinary Committee will reconvene. During adjournments, other than for lunch, the press and public should remain in the Council Chamber.

The Disciplinary Committee will adjourn for lunch at a convenient point in the proceedings for approximately one hour. Unfortunately, CIMA’s café is available only to CIMA staff but members of the press and public may obtain lunch from the numerous cafés nearby.

Members of the press and public who want to leave the building during the lunch break must sign out at reception and hand in their security badges. They must repeat the procedure of signing in on their return. Members of the press and public are requested not to return late from lunch, as this may disturb the resumed hearing.

At no time must members of the press or public approach a member of the Disciplinary Committee. The Committee Secretary will be pleased to assist with any enquiry.

The use of recording or photographic equipment is strictly forbidden anywhere on CIMA’s premises.

Press

Press enquiries should be addressed to:

Feedback

CIMA is concerned to improve its procedures and to take all reasonable measures to ensure the comfort of its visitors.

Feedback forms are provided in the Council Chamber for those wishing to comment on any aspect of the procedure or of their experience at CIMA. All comments are appreciated and will be treated seriously.

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