Local Government Act 2020

A Councillor Conduct Panel must not make a determination under section 167 until it has conducted a hearing.

The following applies to a hearing of a Councillor Conduct Panel—

the proceedings must be conducted with as little formality and technicality as the requirements of this Act and the proper consideration of the matter permit;

there is no right to representation at the hearing except if the Councillor Conduct Panel considers that a party requires representation to ensure that the hearing is conducted fairly;

the proceedings must not be open to the public;

if the hearing is based on an application made by a Council or a group of Councillors, the appointed representative must represent the Council or group of Councillors at the hearing;

the Councillor Conduct Panel is not bound by rules of evidence but may inform itself in any way it thinks fit;

the Councillor Conduct Panel is bound by the rules of natural justice;

the procedure of a Councillor Conduct Panel is otherwise in its discretion.

At the hearing of an application, the Councillor Conduct Panel must provide the applicant and the respondent with an opportunity to be heard.