21Procedure at inquiries

21 Procedure at inquiries

(1) Subject to sub‑section (2), an inquiry shall be held in public. (2) The Authority may hold the whole or part of an inquiry in private if, in the opinion of the Authority, the circumstances are such that it is necessary or desirable in the public interest to do so. (3) Where proceedings are held in private, the Authority may inform itself on any matter in such manner as it thinks fit. (4) Where proceedings are held in public:

(a) evidence in the proceedings shall, subject to this sub‑section, be taken on oath or affirmation;

(b) the Authority may, if it thinks fit, permit a person appearing as a witness to give evidence by tendering, and verifying by oath or affirmation, a written statement;

(c) where the Authority considers that the attendance of a person as a witness would cause serious hardship to the person, the Authority may permit the person to give evidence by sending to the Authority a written statement, verified in such manner as the Authority directs;

(d) where evidence is given by a written statement in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c), the Authority shall make available to the public in such manner as it thinks fit the contents of the statement, other than any matter:

(i) that the person who gave the evidence objects to being made public; and

(ii) the evidence of which the Authority is satisfied would have been taken in private if that evidence had been given orally and the witness had objected to giving it in public.

(5) Subject to this section:

(a) the procedure to be followed at an inquiry is within the discretion of the Authority; and

(b) the Authority is not bound by the rules of evidence.