Section 17: Power to examine documents and demand explanations in connection with conduct or services complaints
39.Section 17 empowers the Commission to require a complainer, a practitioner, or the firm or any employer of a practitioner, (a) to produce or deliver documents in their possession or control which relate to matters relevant to a complaint, and/ or (b) to provide an explanation of the matters raised by the complaint within a period specified in the notice of not less than 21 days.
40.Documents include all books, accounts, deeds, securities, and papers in the possession or control of the complainer, the practitioner, the firm or employer. The Commission may also require such documents to be produced or delivered where they relate to (a) any trust of which the practitioner is the sole trustee, or a co-trustee only with one or more of the practitioner’s partners or employees, or where the practitioner is an incorporated practice, (b) any trust of which the practice or one of its employees is a sole trustee or the practice is a co-trustee only with one or more of its employees.
41.Schedule 2 makes further provision about the powers of the Commission to examine documents and demand explanations in connection with complaints.