7.—(1) An Investigation Committee may meet for the purposes of its investigation, adjourn or otherwise regulate the conduct of its investigation as the members may think fit.
(2) The Chairman of an Investigation Committee may at any time summon a meeting of the Committee.
(3) All the members of an Investigation Committee shall be present to constitute a quorum for a meeting of the Committee.
(4) Any question arising at any meeting of an Investigation Committee shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and, in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman of the Committee shall have a casting vote.
(5) An Investigation Committee —
(a)
shall not be bound to apply the rules of evidence applicable to civil proceedings in any court; and
(b)
may inform itself on any matter in such manner as it thinks fit.
(6) An Investigation Committee may appoint an advocate and solicitor to be present at any of its proceedings to advise the Committee on any matter of law.
(7) For the purposes of conducting its proceedings, an Investigation Committee may appoint any person to make or assist in the making of any preliminary inquiries as the Committee thinks necessary.
(8) Where an Investigation Committee is of the opinion that a registered architect, licensed corporation or licensed partnership should be called upon to answer any allegation made against him, the Committee shall post or deliver to the registered architect, licensed corporation or licensed partnership concerned —
(a)
copies of the complaint made against him and any statutory declaration or affidavit that has been made in support of the complaint; and
(b)
a notice, inviting the registered architect, licensed corporation or licensed partnership concerned to give to the Committee, within such period (not being less than 14 days) as may be specified in the notice, any written explanation he may wish to offer and advise the Committee if he wishes to be heard by the Committee.
(9) On the expiration of the time specified in the notice referred to in paragraph (8)(b), the Investigation Committee shall give the registered architect, licensed corporation or licensed partnership concerned reasonable opportunity to be heard and shall consider any explanation so given.
(10) The registered architect, licensed corporation or licensed partnership concerned may present his case before an Investigation Committee in person or be represented by an advocate and solicitor at any proceedings of the Committee.
(11) A duly authorised employee of the licensed corporation or licensed partnership concerned may appear before an Investigation Committee on behalf of the licensed corporation or licensed partnership at any proceedings of the Committee.