Veterinary Practice Bill

Veterinary Practice Bill

Bill No. 7/2026.

Read the first time on 6 March 2026.

VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT 2026

(No. of 2026)

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section

1. Short title and commencement
   PART 1

2. Interpretation

3. Duly qualified veterinarian
   PART 2

4. Establishment of Veterinary Council

5. Functions of Council

6. President of Council

7. Disqualifications from membership of Council

8. Removal of member of Council

9. Resignation of member of Council

10. Filling of vacancies

11. Validity of acts, etc.

12. Meetings of Council and payment of members of Council

13. Appointment and establishment of committees and delegation of
    powers PART 3

14. Registrar of Council
    Section

15. Registers

16. Alterations in registers

17. Full registration

18. Restricted registration

19. Registration of specialists

20. Power to amend, vary or revoke condition or restriction, etc.

21. Application for registration, etc.

22. Certificate of registration

23. Practising certificate

24. Publication of list of duly qualified veterinarians

25. Registered veterinarians to use only qualifications entered in
    registers and approved titles, etc.

26. Cancellation of registration

27. Restoration of registration cancelled under section 26

28. Registrar’s certificate
    PART 4

29. Prohibition of practice of veterinary medicine

30. Unauthorised individual acting as duly qualified

31. Causing or permitting another to make representation of oneself
    as duly qualified veterinarian, etc.

32. Making representation of another as duly qualified

33. Liability of registered veterinarian for enabling another to act in
    contravention of section 30

34. False assumption of title of specialist

35. Making representation of another as specialist, etc.

36. Fraudulent registration as registered veterinarian, etc.
    PART 5

Division 1 — Voluntary cancellation and suspension of registration, etc.

1. Request for voluntary cancellation or suspension of
   registration, etc.

2. Voluntary cancellation or suspension of registration, etc.

Division 2 — Inquiries into complaints against and information about registered veterinarians

Section

1. Appointment of Complaints Panel
2. Bringing disciplinary case against registered veterinarian
3. Referral of disciplinary case to Registrar
4. Limitation period for referral of disciplinary case

5. Assessment of disciplinary case for referral to Registrar despite
   limitation period

6. Review of disciplinary case by Registrar

7. Findings and recommendation of Registrar

8. Decision of Council after recommendation by Registrar

Division 3 — Complaints Assessment Committees

1. Appointment of Complaints Assessment Committee
2. Powers and procedures of Complaints Assessment Committee

3. Appointment of experts and legal counsel for inquiry before
   Complaints Assessment Committee

4. Findings and recommendation of Complaints Assessment
   Committee

5. Decision of Council after recommendation by Complaints
   Assessment Committee

Division 4 — Mediation

1. Mediation

Division 5 — Disciplinary Committees

1. Appointment of Disciplinary Committee
2. Powers and procedures of Disciplinary Committee

3. Appointment of experts and legal counsel for formal inquiry
   before Disciplinary Committee

4. Findings and order of Disciplinary Committee

5. Further orders by Disciplinary Committee

6. Right of hearing before Disciplinary Committee

7. Service of notice of order

8. When order by Disciplinary Committee takes effect

9. Effect of order of suspension

10. Appeal against Disciplinary Committee’s decision or order

Division 6 — Interim Orders Committees

1. Appointment of Interim Orders Committee

2. Powers and procedures of Interim Orders Committee
   Section

3. Appointment of experts and legal counsel for inquiry or review
   before Interim Orders Committee

4. Interim orders

5. Review of interim orders

6. Interim Orders Committee may revoke, vary or replace interim
   order, etc.

7. Right of hearing before Interim Orders Committee

8. Application to General Division of High Court

9. Duration of interim orders

10. Effect of interim suspension order

Division 7 — Investigations

1. Conduct of investigation by investigator
2. Investigation report and information obtained in course of investigation

Division 8 — Withdrawal of disciplinary case

1. Withdrawal of disciplinary case

Division 9 — Miscellaneous

1. Restoration of registration cancelled under this Part
2. Meetings and proceedings of committees, etc.

3. Officer or employee of National Parks Board not disqualified
   from being committee member or observer PART 6

4. Investigators

5. Assessors to Council

6. Protection from personal liability

7. Deemed public servants

8. Composition of offences

9. Service of documents

10. Jurisdiction of courts

11. Exemption

12. Regulations

13. Consequential amendments to other Acts

14. Amendment of Veterinary Practice Act 2026

15. Saving and transitional provisions
    A BILL

intituled

An Act to establish the Veterinary Council, to provide for the registration of veterinarians and the regulation of individuals practising veterinary medicine and for matters connected therewith, and to make consequential amendments to certain other Acts. Be it enacted by the President with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Singapore, as follows:

Short title and commencement

1. This Act is the Veterinary Practice Act 2026 and comes into operation on a date that the Minister appoints by notification in the

Gazette.

PART 15

Interpretation

1. In this Act — “animal” means a mammal (other than a human being), a bird, a reptile, an amphibian, or a fish (including a crustacean,10 mollusc or other aquatic invertebrate), and includes the young or egg of any animal; “business name” means the name under which a person carries on a business; “certificate of registration”, in relation to a registered15 veterinarian, means a certificate of registration issued by the Council under section 22; “complainant” means the person who brings a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian and, if the disciplinary case is brought by the Council, includes the Council;20 “Complaints Assessment Committee” means a Complaints Assessment Committee appointed by the Council under section 47; “Complaints Panel” means the Complaints Panel appointed by the Council under section 39;25 “Council” means the Veterinary Council established under section 4; “Director‑General, Animal Health and Welfare” means the Director‑General, Animal Health and Welfare appointed under section 3(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965;30

“disciplinary case” means a complaint made against, or any information provided about, a registered veterinarian under Part 5, and, if an interim suspension order is made against the registered veterinarian in relation to the complaint or information, includes any contravention or suspected 5 contravention of the interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order; “Disciplinary Committee” means a Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Council under section 53; “interim order” means an interim restriction order or interim 10 suspension order; “Interim Orders Committee” means an Interim Orders Committee appointed by the Council under section 63; “interim restriction order” means an order of an Interim Orders Committee under Division 6 of Part 5 providing that the 15 registration of a registered veterinarian is conditional on his or her compliance with any condition or restriction specified in the order; “interim suspension order” means an order of an Interim Orders Committee under Division 6 of Part 5 providing that the 20 registration of a registered veterinarian is suspended; “investigator” means an investigator appointed under section 79; “layperson” means an individual who is not a veterinarian, and includes a legal professional; 25 “legal professional” means an individual who — (a) has at any time held, but no longer holds, office as a Supreme Court Judge or Judicial Commissioner; or (b) is — (i) an advocate and solicitor of at least 10 years’ 30 standing; (ii) a Judicial Service Officer or Legal Service Officer who has at least 10 years of full‑time

employment in the Singapore Judicial Service or Singapore Legal Service (or both); or (iii) an advocate and solicitor, a Judicial Service Officer or a Legal Service Officer who has any combination of standing mentioned in5 sub‑paragraph (i) and employment mentioned in sub‑paragraph (ii) which is at least 10 years; “medical practitioner” means an individual who is a legally qualified medical practitioner within the meaning given by section 16 of the Medical Registration Act 1997;10 “National Parks Board” means the National Parks Board established by the repealed National Parks Act (Cap. 198A, 1991 Revised Edition) as in force before 1 July 1996 and continued by section 3 of the National Parks Board Act 1996; “practice of veterinary medicine” means the performance of any15 procedure on, the giving of any treatment to (or advice in relation to), or the attendance to, an animal that is usually carried out or given by veterinarians, such as — (a) the diagnosis of any disease in, or injury to, the animal, including the performance of any test for the20 purpose of diagnosing the physiological or pathological condition of the animal; (b) the giving of advice based on such diagnosis; (c) the medical treatment (including of a dental or surgical nature) of the animal;25 (d) the administration of anaesthetics to the animal; (e) the prescription of any drug or medication for the animal; (f) the issuance or endorsement of any certificate, report or document in relation to the animal that requires or30 implies the exercise of professional veterinary judgment, including a document stating or attesting to any of the following matters in relation to the animal:

(i) health status, disease status, vaccination status or physical condition; (ii) identity, age, sex or neuter status; (iii) cause of death or findings of a post‑mortem examination; 5 (iv) the performance of any treatment, test or procedure, and “practise veterinary medicine” is to be construed accordingly; “practising certificate” means a practising certificate granted or 10 renewed under section 23; “president” means the president of the Council; “public authority” means a body established or constituted by or under a public Act to perform or discharge a public function, excluding a Town Council established under section 4 of the 15 Town Councils Act 1988; “register” means any register mentioned in section 15; “registered veterinarian” means an individual who is registered under this Act as — (a) a veterinarian with full registration; 20 (b) a veterinarian with restricted registration; or (c) a specialist; “Registrar” means the Registrar of the Council appointed under section 14(1), and (except for section 4(2)(c) or 7(1)(j)) includes a Deputy Registrar appointed under section 14(2); 25 “specialist” means an individual who is registered as a specialist under this Act; “veterinarian with full registration” means an individual registered as such under this Act; “veterinarian with restricted registration” means an individual 30 registered as such under this Act;

“veterinary medicine” means any branch of veterinary medicine, and includes veterinary surgery; “veterinary student” means an individual who is enrolled in a university to receive, and receives, education for a degree in veterinary medicine, or any similar qualification, provided by5 the university.

Duly qualified veterinarian

1. In this Act and any other written law, “duly qualified veterinarian”, or any expression importing a person recognised by law as a veterinarian, means an individual who is a registered10 veterinarian and has a valid practising certificate, but excludes — (a) a registered veterinarian whose registration is suspended under this Act; and (b) a registered veterinarian whose practising certificate is suspended under this Act.15

PART 2

Establishment of Veterinary Council 4.—(1) A body called the Veterinary Council is established, which

consists of members appointed by the Minister.20 (2) The Minister may appoint one or more of the following individuals to be a member of the Veterinary Council: (a) the Director‑General, Animal Health and Welfare, or a representative (being an officer or employee of the National Parks Board) nominated by the25 Director‑General, Animal Health and Welfare for this purpose; (b) the president of the Singapore Veterinary Association, or a representative (being a member of the Singapore Veterinary Association) nominated by the president of30 the Singapore Veterinary Association for this purpose;

(c) the Registrar. (3) In addition, the Minister must appoint to the Veterinary Council, as members — (a) at least 4 veterinarians with full registration, of whom at least one has at least 10 years’ experience as a veterinarian; 5 and (b) at least 2 laypersons. (4) The members appointed under subsection (2) or (3) hold office for a term not exceeding 3 years and are eligible for re‑appointment. (5) For the purposes of subsection (3)(a), a reference to a 10 veterinarian with full registration includes an individual who holds a licence issued under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965, except a licence that authorises the individual to treat, vaccinate or inoculate animals only — (a) at a place of practice specified in the licence; and 15 (b) under the supervision of another individual who holds a licence issued under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965.

Functions of Council 5.—(1) The functions of the Council are — 20 (a) to register veterinarians; (b) to renew the registration of specialists; (c) to grant and renew practising certificates for registered veterinarians; (d) to conduct, approve, recognise or accredit courses or 25 programmes for the training or assessment of individuals seeking to become or continue as registered veterinarians, and to approve, recognise or accredit the providers of such training or assessment; (e) to conduct, approve, recognise or accredit programmes for 30 the continuing professional education of registered

veterinarians, and to approve, recognise or accredit the providers of such continuing professional education; (f) to determine and regulate the standards of practice, competence, conduct and ethics of registered veterinarians; (g) to coordinate and supervise the activities of any5 committees appointed under section 13; (h) to appoint the Complaints Panel, Complaints Assessment Committees, Disciplinary Committees and Interim Orders Committees for the purposes of Part 5; and (i) generally to do all acts, matters and things as are necessary10 or authorised to be carried out under or for the purposes of this Act. (2) The Council has the power to do all things necessary or expedient to be done for, or in connection with, the performance of its functions.15

President of Council

1. The Minister must appoint one of the members of the Council as the president of the Council.

Disqualifications from membership of Council 7.—(1) Despite anything in section 4, an individual must not, or20 must not continue to, hold office as a member of the Council if — (a) the individual is not a citizen of Singapore or a permanent resident of Singapore within the meaning given by section 2 of the Immigration Act 1959; (b) the individual is an undischarged bankrupt;25 (c) the individual has been convicted in Singapore or elsewhere of any offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude or implying a defect in character that makes him or her unfit for his or her profession; (d) the individual has been found guilty in Singapore or30 elsewhere of any improper act or conduct which brings disrepute to his or her profession;

(e) the individual has been found guilty in Singapore or elsewhere of professional misconduct; (f) in the case where the individual is appointed to the Council under section 4(2)(a) by reason of him or her being the Director‑General, Animal Health and Welfare — the 5 individual ceases to be the Director‑General, Animal Health and Welfare; (g) in the case where the individual is appointed to the Council under section 4(2)(a) by reason of him or her being the representative nominated by the Director‑General, Animal 10 Health and Welfare — the individual ceases to be an officer or employee of the National Parks Board; (h) in the case where the individual is appointed to the Council under section 4(2)(b) by reason of him or her being the president of the Singapore Veterinary Association — the 15 individual ceases to be the president of the Singapore Veterinary Association; (i) in the case where the individual is appointed to the Council under section 4(2)(b) by reason of him or her being the representative nominated by the president of the Singapore 20 Veterinary Association — the individual ceases to be a member of the Singapore Veterinary Association; (j) in the case where the individual is appointed to the Council under section 4(2)(c) by reason of him or her being the Registrar — the individual ceases to be the Registrar; 25 (k) if the individual has held a licence granted under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965 before the date of commencement of section 88(1)(b) — the licence has been suspended or revoked under that Act; (l) the registration of the individual as a registered 30 veterinarian is suspended or cancelled under this Act; or (m) for medical reasons, the individual is unable to perform his or her duties as a member, as assessed by a medical practitioner.

(2) The Minister may waive the disqualification in subsection (1)(a) in respect of any particular member.

Removal of member of Council 8.—(1) The Minister may, at any time and without giving any

reason, remove from office a member of the Council appointed under5 section 4(2) or (3). (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Minister may remove from office any member of the Council appointed under section 4(2) or (3) who is absent without leave of the Council from 3 consecutive meetings of —10 (a) the Council; or (b) a Disciplinary Committee, an Interim Orders Committee or any committee appointed under section 13 of which he or she is a member.

Resignation of member of Council15

9.—(1) A member of the Council may resign his or her office by

written notice to the Minister (with a copy to the Council) signed by the member. (2) The resignation is effective when the notice in subsection (1) is received by the Minister or at the time specified in the notice20 (whichever is the later).

Filling of vacancies 10.—(1) The office of a member of the Council becomes vacant if

the member — (a) dies;25 (b) resigns his or her office under section 9; (c) is subject to any of the disqualifications in section 7, unless (in the case of the disqualification in section 7(1)(a)) the Minister has waived the disqualification in respect of the member; or30 (d) is removed from office under section 8.

(2) Any question as to whether an individual has ceased to be a member of the Council is to be determined by the Minister whose

(3) If a vacancy occurs in the office of any member of the Council appointed under section 4(2), the Minister may appoint an individual 5 to fill the vacancy. (4) If a vacancy occurs in the office of any member of the Council appointed under section 4(3) and — (a) if, as a result of the vacancy, the composition of the Council does not meet the requirements under that 10 provision — the Minister must, as soon as practicable, appoint an individual to fill the vacancy; or (b) if paragraph (a) does not apply — the Minister may appoint an individual to fill the vacancy. (5) An individual mentioned in subsection (3) or (4) must be 15 appointed in the manner in which the appointment to the vacated office was made and holds that office for the remainder of the term for which the vacating member was appointed.

Validity of acts, etc. 11.—(1) Despite section 33 of the Interpretation Act 1965, the 20 exercise of any power or performance of any function of the Council by the Council is not affected merely because at the relevant time — (a) there was a vacancy in the membership of the Council, including a vacancy arising from the failure to appoint a member; 25 (b) there was some defect or irregularity existing in the appointment or continuance in office of an individual purporting to be a member of the Council; or (c) there was an irregularity in the Council’s decision‑making procedure that does not affect the merits of the decision 30 made. (2) The acts of an individual as a member of the Council are not affected merely because —

(a) there was some defect or irregularity existing in the appointment or continuance in office of the individual purporting to be a member of the Council; or (b) in the case of an individual acting in the capacity of a member of the Council, the president (or member of the5 Council elected under section 12(4)(a) to preside at any meeting) or the Registrar, the occasion for the individual so acting, or for his or her appointment, had not arisen or had ended.

Meetings of Council and payment of members of Council10

12.—(1) The Council must meet at such times and places as the

president or the Registrar may appoint. (2) The quorum for a meeting of the Council is — (a) for a meeting in relation to a decision of the Council, on its own motion, to bring a disciplinary case against a15 registered veterinarian under section 41(3) — 2 members of the Council; (b) for a meeting in relation to a decision of the Council to make a referral, take an action or give a direction mentioned in section 75(1) for the continuation of a20 disciplinary case despite the withdrawal of the disciplinary case — 2 members of the Council; and (c) for any other meeting — the higher of the following: (i) one‑third of the number of members of the Council; (ii) 4 members of the Council.25 (3) No business may be transacted at a meeting of the Council if a quorum is not present. (4) Subject to subsection (5) — (a) the president is to preside at any meeting of the Council and, in his or her absence, the members of the Council30 present may elect, from among those members, a member of the Council to preside at that meeting; and

(b) the president or member of the Council presiding at any meeting of the Council has an original vote and, in the case of an equality of votes, a casting vote. (5) Subsection (4) does not apply to a meeting mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b). 5 (6) Subject to subsection (2), the Council may act despite any vacancy in the membership of the Council. (7) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Council may regulate its own procedure. (8) The Council must keep minutes of its proceedings in any form 10 or manner that it thinks fit. (9) The Minister may determine the remuneration (if any) to be paid to each member of the Council. (10) If a member of the Council is an employee, any remuneration payable to the member under subsection (9) may be paid to the 15 member’s employer.

Appointment and establishment of committees and delegation of powers 13.—(1) The Council may appoint one or more committees for any

general or special purpose which in the opinion of the Council may be 20 better dealt with or managed by a committee. (2) The purpose mentioned in subsection (1) includes the making of recommendations on any decision to be made by the Council under this Act. (3) The Council must fix the number and term of office of the 25 members of a committee appointed under this section and the number of those members necessary to form a quorum. (4) A committee appointed under this section may include any individual who is not a member of the Council. (5) The Council may delegate to any committee appointed under 30 this section any of its powers or functions (except the Council’s powers under subsections (1) and (3), the power of delegation

conferred by this subsection and the powers under sections 83 and 87), subject to any condition or restriction that the Council thinks fit. (6) The Council may continue to exercise any power conferred on it or perform any function under this Act despite the delegation of the power or function under subsection (5).5 (7) The Minister may determine the remuneration (if any) to be paid to each member of a committee appointed under this section. (8) If a member of a committee appointed under this section is an employee, any remuneration payable to the member under subsection (7) may be paid to the member’s employer.10

PART 3

Registrar of Council 14.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, the Minister must appoint a

public officer or an officer or employee of a public authority to be the15 Registrar of the Council. (2) The Minister may appoint one or more Deputy Registrars to assist the Registrar in carrying out the Registrar’s functions and duties under this Act. (3) The Registrar may, subject to any condition or restriction that20 the Registrar thinks fit, delegate to a Deputy Registrar any of the Registrar’s powers or functions under this Act, except the power of delegation conferred by this subsection. (4) The Registrar may continue to exercise any power conferred on him or her or perform any function under this Act despite the25 delegation of the power or function under subsection (3).

Registers 15.—(1) The Registrar must keep and maintain the following

registers: (a) a register called “The Register of Veterinarians with Full30 Registration”, containing the particulars mentioned in

subsection (2) of individuals who are registered as veterinarians with full registration; (b) a register called “The Register of Veterinarians with Restricted Registration”, containing the particulars mentioned in subsection (2) of individuals who are 5 registered as veterinarians with restricted registration; (c) a register called “The Register of Specialists”, containing the particulars mentioned in subsection (2) of individuals who are registered as specialists. (2) The particulars of each individual to be contained in a register 10 are the following: (a) the individual’s name and residential address; (b) the business name and address of the individual’s primary place of practice, if any; (c) the date of the registration of the individual; 15 (d) the individual’s qualification for registration and the date the individual obtained that qualification; (e) in the case of a specialist, each branch of veterinary medicine in which the individual is registered as a specialist; 20 (f) any other particulars as the Council may determine. (3) Every individual whose name is entered in a register must inform the Registrar in writing of — (a) subject to subsection (5), any change in the individual’s name or residential address; 25 (b) any change in the business name or address of the individual’s primary place of practice; (c) any withdrawal or cancellation of the individual’s qualification for registration; or (d) any change in any other prescribed particulars, 30 within 28 days after the change, withdrawal or cancellation.

(4) An individual who contravenes subsection (3) shall be guilty of $1,000. (5) An individual who makes a report of a change in his or her residential address under section 10 of the National Registration5 Act 1965 is deemed to have complied with subsection (3)(a) on the date that he or she makes the report. (6) The Registrar may disclose any information in a register to any prescribed person, subject to any prescribed condition. (7) Subsection (6) does not affect any other right or duty to disclose10 the information under general or written law.

Alterations in registers

1. The Registrar must — (a) insert in the appropriate register any alteration which may come to the Registrar’s knowledge to any particulars or15 qualifications of any registered veterinarian; (b) correct any error in a register; and (c) remove from the appropriate register the registration of any individual — (i) whose registration is cancelled under this Act;20 (ii) who is deceased; or (iii) for the Register of Specialists — whose registration has lapsed.

Full registration 17.—(1) Subject to subsection (6) and section 21(6), the Council25 may register an individual as a veterinarian with full registration if the individual holds any prescribed qualification in veterinary medicine. (2) Subject to subsection (6) and section 21(6), the Council may register an individual who does not hold any prescribed qualification mentioned in subsection (1) as a veterinarian with full registration if30 the individual —

(a) holds any other qualification in veterinary medicine, which is, in the opinion of the Council, not lower in standing than a prescribed qualification mentioned in subsection (1); and (b) satisfies the Council that he or she has the knowledge and skill, and has acquired the experience, which is necessary 5 for the practice of veterinary medicine. (3) For the purpose of satisfying itself that an individual’s qualification mentioned in subsection (2)(a) is not lower in standing than a prescribed qualification mentioned in subsection (1), the Council may require the individual to undergo 10 and pass an examination conducted or arranged by the Council or any person recognised by the Council. (4) Any registration under subsection (1) or (2) is subject to any condition that the Council may impose. (5) Without limiting subsection (4), the Council may impose all or 15 any of the following conditions on the registration of an individual under subsection (1) or (2): (a) that, for a period (not exceeding 3 years) specified by the Council, the individual must only practise veterinary medicine under the supervision (that meets the Council’s 20 requirements) of an approved veterinarian; (b) that, for a period (not exceeding 3 years) specified by the Council, the individual’s performance as a veterinarian is subject to review by an approved veterinarian; (c) that, for a period (not exceeding 3 years) specified by the 25 Council, the individual must only practise veterinary medicine in an establishment, or an establishment that is within a class of establishments, specified by the Council; (d) that, for a period (not exceeding 3 years) specified by the Council, the individual must only practise in a branch of 30 veterinary medicine, or undertake a type or description of work in the practice of veterinary medicine, specified by the Council.

(6) Despite subsection (1) or (2), the Council may, if it is of the opinion that it is not in the public interest for an individual mentioned in that subsection to be registered as a veterinarian with full registration, register the individual as a veterinarian with restricted registration, subject to any condition or restriction, including any5 condition or restriction mentioned in section 18(4). (7) In this section — “approved veterinarian” means a duly qualified veterinarian with full registration who is approved by the Council; “prescribed qualification” means a prescribed qualification10 conferred by a prescribed university in or outside Singapore.

Restricted registration 18.—(1) Subject to section 21(6), the Council may register an

individual as a veterinarian with restricted registration if the individual —15 (a) holds a qualification in veterinary medicine other than a qualification mentioned in section 17(1) or (2)(a) which has, in the opinion of the Council, provided the individual with adequate training; (b) satisfies the Council that he or she has the knowledge and20 skill, and has acquired the experience, which is necessary for the practice of veterinary medicine; and (c) has been selected for employment in Singapore as a veterinarian in an establishment recognised by the Council. (2) For the purpose of satisfying itself that an individual’s25 qualification mentioned in subsection (1)(a) has provided adequate training to the individual, the Council may require the individual to undergo and pass an examination conducted or arranged by the Council or any person recognised by the Council. (3) Any registration under subsection (1) is subject to any condition30 or restriction that the Council may impose.

(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the Council may impose one or more of the following conditions or restrictions on the registration of an individual under subsection (1): (a) that the individual must only practise veterinary medicine under the supervision (that meets the Council’s 5 requirements) of an approved veterinarian; (b) that the individual’s performance as a veterinarian is subject to review by an approved veterinarian; (c) that the individual must only practise veterinary medicine — 10 (i) in the establishment mentioned in subsection (1)(c) in which the individual had been selected for employment prior to the individual’s registration; or (ii) in an establishment, or an establishment that is within a class of establishments, specified by the 15 Council; (d) that the individual must only practise in a branch of veterinary medicine, or undertake a type or description of work in the practice of veterinary medicine, specified by the Council. 20 (5) In this section, “approved veterinarian” means a duly qualified veterinarian with full registration who is approved by the Council.

Registration of specialists 19.—(1) Subject to section 21(6), the Council may register, or

renew the registration of, a veterinarian with full registration as a 25 specialist in any particular branch of veterinary medicine if he or she — (a) holds any postgraduate degree or qualification approved by the Council in that branch of veterinary medicine; or (b) satisfies the Council that he or she has acquired any special 30 knowledge of, and skill and experience in, that branch of veterinary medicine.

(2) The Council may register, or renew the registration of, a veterinarian with full registration as a specialist under subsection (1) for any period that the Council thinks fit. (3) Any registration or renewal of registration under subsection (1) is subject to any condition that the Council may impose.5

Power to amend, vary or revoke condition or restriction, etc. 20.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Council may, at any time

after registering an individual as a registered veterinarian under this Act — (a) for an individual registered as a veterinarian with full10 registration or as a specialist — amend, vary or revoke any condition of the registration that is imposed, amended or varied by the Council under this Act, or impose any new or additional condition on the registration; and (b) for an individual registered as a veterinarian with restricted15 registration — amend, vary or revoke any condition of or restriction on the registration that is imposed, amended or varied by the Council under this Act, or impose any new or additional condition or restriction on the registration. (2) Any condition or restriction imposed, amended or varied by the20 Council with the agreement of a registered veterinarian under section 38(2)(c) or (d) may only be amended, varied or revoked under subsection (1) with the written agreement of the veterinarian. (3) Without affecting subsection (2), the Council is not required to give an individual mentioned in subsection (1) an opportunity to be25 heard before taking any action under that subsection in respect of the individual’s registration.

Application for registration, etc. 21.—(1) An application for registration under section 17, 18 or 19,

or for renewal of registration under section 19, must be made in the30 form and manner required by the Council and must be accompanied by —

(2) An application for the renewal of registration under section 19 must be made no later than 30 days before the end of the period of 5 registration or renewed registration (as the case may be) mentioned in section 19(2). (3) A registered veterinarian who applies for the renewal of registration as a specialist under section 19 after the period specified in subsection (2) must also pay to the Council the 10 prescribed late application fee, if any. (4) The Council may require the applicant to submit himself or herself to a medical examination by a medical practitioner approved by the Council to determine if the applicant is fit to practise veterinary medicine as a registered veterinarian. 15 (5) The applicant must bear the costs of any medical examination mentioned in subsection (4). (6) The Council may refuse to register any applicant under section 17, 18 or 19, or to renew the registration of any applicant under section 19, who — 20 (a) has had his or her registration as a veterinarian (or its equivalent) in any other country or territory withdrawn, suspended or cancelled; or (b) in the opinion of the Council — (i) is not eligible to be registered; 25 (ii) is not of good reputation and character; (iii) is unfit to practise veterinary medicine — (A) because his or her fitness to practise veterinary medicine has been impaired by reason of his or her physical or mental condition; or 30 (B) for any other reason;

(iv) has failed without reasonable cause to submit to a medical examination when required to do so under subsection (4); (v) has contravened any condition or restriction of any previous registration imposed on him or her under5 this Act; or (vi) should not be registered because this would not be in the public interest. (7) If the Council refuses to register, or renew the registration of, an applicant, the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written10 notice to the applicant of the refusal. (8) An individual who is dissatisfied with any refusal of the Council under subsection (6) may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (7), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.15

Certificate of registration

1. Upon the registration of an individual, the Council must issue to the individual a certificate of registration specifying the registration of the individual.

Practising certificate20

23.—(1) A registered veterinarian who desires to obtain or renew a

practising certificate must make an application to the Council. (2) An application for the grant or renewal of a practising certificate must be made in the form and manner required by the Council and must be accompanied by —25

(3) An application for the renewal of a practising certificate must be made no later than 30 days before the end of the period of validity of30 the practising certificate mentioned in subsection (5).

(4) A registered veterinarian who applies for the renewal of his or her practising certificate after the period specified in subsection (3) must also pay to the Council the prescribed late application fee, if any. (5) The Council may grant or renew a practising certificate for any period, not exceeding any period prescribed under subsection (12) 5 (if any), that the Council determines. (6) A registered veterinarian is not eligible for the grant or renewal of a practising certificate, or to continue to hold a practising certificate, unless the registered veterinarian complies with — (a) any prescribed requirement, including any requirement 10 relating to continuing professional education; and (b) any condition specified by the Council for the application for the grant or renewal of the practising certificate. (7) The Council may — (a) refuse to grant a practising certificate to a registered 15 (b) refuse to renew the practising certificate of a registered veterinarian; or (c) cancel the practising certificate of a registered veterinarian, if the registered veterinarian does not comply with any prescribed 20 requirement or specified condition mentioned in subsection (6). (8) Before the Council cancels a registered veterinarian’s practising certificate under subsection (7)(c), the Registrar must give written notice to the registered veterinarian — (a) informing of the Council’s intention to cancel the 25 practising certificate; and (b) specifying the time within which the registered veterinarian may submit to the Council reasons why the practising certificate should not be cancelled. (9) A registered veterinarian’s practising certificate is cancelled 30 immediately upon the cancellation or suspension of his or her registration as a veterinarian with full registration or as a veterinarian with restricted registration.

(10) If the Council refuses to grant or renew a practising certificate, or cancels a practising certificate under subsection (7), the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the individual concerned of the refusal or cancellation. (11) An individual who is dissatisfied with any decision of the5 Council under subsection (7) may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (10), appeal to the Minister whose

(12) The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe the maximum period of validity for a practising certificate.10

Publication of list of duly qualified veterinarians

1. The Registrar must publish on the Council’s Internet website, or on any other medium which is accessible to members of the public that the Minister may determine, the following information: (a) the name of each duly qualified veterinarian;15 (b) the business name and address of the primary place of practice (if any) of each duly qualified veterinarian; (c) the qualification for registration, and date that the qualification was obtained, of each duly qualified

(d) the date of registration of each duly qualified veterinarian.

Registered veterinarians to use only qualifications entered in registers and approved titles, etc. 25.—(1) A registered veterinarian must not —

(a) use, or exhibit or publish in, any card, letter, stationery,25 nameplate, signboard, placard, circular or handbill, or any notice displayed at any premises used by him or her for the practice of veterinary medicine, any qualification other than the qualifications which are entered against his or her name in the appropriate register or which has been30 approved by the Council; or

(b) use any title, addition or designation other than the title, addition or designation which has been approved by the Council. (2) A registered veterinarian who contravenes subsection (1) may be subject to disciplinary proceedings under this Act. 5

Cancellation of registration 26.—(1) Despite the provisions of this Act, the Council may, upon

any evidence available to the Council, cancel the registration of an individual under this Act if — (a) the individual has contravened this Act or any condition or 10 restriction imposed on his or her registration; (b) the Council is of the opinion, having regard to a report of an approved veterinarian mentioned in section 17(5)(a) or 18(4)(a) (as the case may be), that the individual is unable to perform the duties of a veterinarian with full registration 15 or veterinarian with restricted registration (as the case may be) satisfactorily; (c) the Council is of the opinion, having regard to any review by an approved veterinarian mentioned in section 17(5)(b) or 18(4)(b) (as the case may be), that the individual is 20 unable to perform the duties of a veterinarian with full registration or veterinarian with restricted registration (as the case may be) satisfactorily; (d) in the case where the individual is registered as a specialist — the individual’s registration as a 25 veterinarian with full registration has been cancelled; (e) the individual has obtained his or her registration fraudulently or by an incorrect statement; (f) the individual’s qualification that satisfied section 17(1) or (2)(a) or 18(1)(a), or the individual’s postgraduate degree 30 or qualification that satisfied section 19(1)(a), (as the case may be) for registration under that provision has been withdrawn or cancelled by the authority or university through which it was acquired or by which it was awarded;

(g) the individual has had his or her registration (or its equivalent) in any other country or territory withdrawn, suspended or cancelled by a competent authority in that country or territory; or (h) the individual has requested (not being a request made5 under section 37) and shown sufficient reason for the individual’s registration to be cancelled (not being a reason mentioned in section 37) and a disciplinary case is not pending against the individual under Part 5. (2) The Registrar may cancel the registration of an individual who10 has not renewed his or her practising certificate for a continuous period of 2 years. (3) Before the Council or Registrar (as the case may be) cancels the registration of a registered veterinarian under subsection (1) (except on the ground mentioned in paragraph (h) of that subsection) or (2),15 the Registrar must give written notice to the registered veterinarian — (a) informing of the intention of the Council or Registrar (as the case may be) to cancel the registration; and (b) specifying the time within which the registered veterinarian may submit to the Council or Registrar (as20 the case may be) reasons why the registration should not be cancelled. (4) If the Council or Registrar (as the case may be) cancels the registration of an individual under subsection (1) or (2) — (a) the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written25 notice to the individual of the cancellation; and (b) if the cancellation is on a ground mentioned in subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (h) or (2) — the Council or Registrar (as the case may be) may specify terms that the individual must comply with for the purpose30 of restoration of the individual’s registration under section 27. (5) An individual who is dissatisfied with any decision of the Council or Registrar (as the case may be) under subsection (1)

(excluding paragraph (h) of that subsection) or (2) may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (4)(a), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.

Restoration of registration cancelled under section 26 27.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (4), if the registration of an 5 individual has been cancelled under section 26(1)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (h) or (2), the Council may, on its own motion or on an application by the individual — (a) in the case where the individual was a veterinarian with full registration before the cancellation — register the 10 individual as a veterinarian with restricted registration, subject to any condition or restriction, including any condition or restriction mentioned in section 18(4); or (b) in any case — restore the individual’s registration. (2) An application under subsection (1) must not be made to the 15 Council more than once in any period of 6 months. (3) An application under subsection (1) must be made in the form and manner required by the Council and must be accompanied by —

(4) If the registration of the individual has been cancelled under section 26(1)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (h) or (2), the Council must not take any action under subsection (1)(a) or (b) unless the individual has complied with the terms (if any) specified under section 26(4)(b). 25

Registrar’s certificate

1. A certificate purporting to be signed by the Registrar — (a) to the effect that at any time or during any period specified in the certificate an individual was or was not a registered veterinarian, or had or did not have a valid practising 30 certificate; or

(b) as to any entry in a register, or the removal of any entry from a register, is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, and without further proof of the signature appended to the certificate, sufficient evidence of the matters specified in the certificate.5

PART 4

Prohibition of practice of veterinary medicine 29.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) to (5), an individual must not

practise veterinary medicine in Singapore unless the individual is a10 duly qualified veterinarian. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the doing of any act within the practice of veterinary medicine, other than any prescribed act, by any veterinary student if the act is done — (a) in accordance with any prescribed condition;15 (b) in the course of the veterinary student’s training to become a veterinarian; and (c) under the supervision of a duly qualified veterinarian. (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the inoculation of an animal with any veterinary biologics by —20 (a) an authorised officer; or (b) an individual who holds a valid licence mentioned in section 55(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965, if the inoculation is performed in accordance with the conditions of that licence.25 (4) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual who keeps or uses any animal for any scientific purpose in any premises if the keeping or use of the animal in those premises and for that purpose — (a) is authorised by a licence issued under the Animals and Birds Act 1965; and30

(b) is carried out in accordance with that Act and the conditions of that licence. (5) Subsection (1) does not apply to the doing of any act (not being an excluded act) within the practice of veterinary medicine by an individual (not being an individual whose registration as a 5 veterinarian or whose practising certificate is suspended under Part 5) if the act is done in accordance with any prescribed condition and under the supervision of a duly qualified veterinarian. (6) An individual who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of

both. (7) In this section — “authorised officer” and “veterinary biologics” have the respective meanings given by section 2(1) of the Animals 15 and Birds Act 1965; “excluded act” means — (a) the diagnosis of any disease in, or injury to, an animal, including the performance of a test for the purpose of diagnosing the physiological or 20 pathological condition of the animal; (b) any treatment (of a surgical nature) of an animal; (c) the prescription of any drug or medication for an animal; (d) the issuance or endorsement of any certificate, report 25 or document in relation to an animal that requires or implies the exercise of professional veterinary judgment, including a document stating or attesting to any of the following matters in relation to the animal: 30 (i) health status, disease status, vaccination status or physical condition; (ii) identity, age, sex or neuter status;

(iii) cause of death or findings of a post‑mortem examination; (iv) the performance of any treatment, test or procedure; or (e) any other act that may be prescribed.5

Unauthorised individual acting as duly qualified

30.—(1) An individual who is not a duly qualified veterinarian

shall be guilty of an offence if the individual — (a) wilfully and falsely pretends to be a duly qualified10 (b) practises veterinary medicine — (i) under the name or title of a veterinarian; or (ii) under any name, title, addition or description implying that he or she holds any degree or15 qualification in veterinary medicine; (c) takes or uses any name or title of a veterinarian, or any other word in any language having the same meaning or being to the like intent; (d) takes or uses any name, title, sign, uniform, badge or any20 other addition or description implying, whether in itself or in the circumstances in which it is used, that he or she is qualified to practise veterinary medicine; or (e) advertises or holds himself or herself out as a veterinarian. (2) Subsection (1)(d) does not apply to any act carried out by a25 veterinary student in the course of the veterinary student’s training to become a veterinarian, if that training is done under the supervision of a duly qualified veterinarian. (3) An individual who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to30

(4) Subject to subsection (5), it is a defence for an individual charged with an offence under subsection (1)(c), (d) or (e) to prove that the individual acted without the intention to deceive or to gain any advantage, benefit or financial gain for a business, trade, profession, vocation or employment carried on by the individual. 5 (5) Subsection (4) does not apply to an individual charged with an offence under subsection (1)(e) if the individual so advertised or held himself or herself out in the prescribed circumstances. (6) If an offence is committed under subsection (1) by an individual (A) acting as an employee, an agent or a partner of 10 another person (B), B shall also be guilty of an offence. (7) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (6) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to

(8) It is a defence for a person (B) charged with an offence under 15 subsection (6) to prove that the offence under subsection (1) was committed by A without B’s knowledge and that B has taken all reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of that offence by A.

Causing or permitting another to make representation of 20

oneself as duly qualified veterinarian, etc. 31.—(1) An individual (A) shall be guilty of an offence if A causes

or permits a person (B) to make any representation with regard to A which, if made by A with the requisite intent, would be an offence by

A under section 30. 25 (2) An individual who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to

(3) Subject to subsection (4), it is a defence for an individual charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that the 30 individual acted without the intention to deceive or to gain any advantage, benefit or financial gain for a business, trade, profession, vocation or employment carried on by the individual.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to an individual charged with an offence under subsection (1) with respect to a representation mentioned in section 30(1)(e) if the representation is made in the prescribed circumstances.

Making representation of another as duly qualified5

32.—(1) A person (A) shall be guilty of an offence if A makes, with

regard to an individual (B), any representation which, if made by B with the requisite intent, would be an offence by B under section 30. (2) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall10 be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to

(3) It is a defence for a person (A) charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that A acted without the intention to deceive or to gain any advantage, benefit or financial gain for —15 (a) a business, trade, profession, vocation or employment carried on by A or a person on whose behalf A committed the act; or (b) if A or the person on whose behalf A committed the act is established for a charitable purpose or for purposes which20 include a charitable purpose — any activity carried out or service provided by A or the person for that purpose.

Liability of registered veterinarian for enabling another to act in contravention of section 30 33.—(1) A registered veterinarian shall be guilty of an offence if25 the registered veterinarian, by his or her presence, countenance, advice, assistance or cooperation, knowingly enables an individual (whether described as an assistant or otherwise) to assume a title in contravention of section 30. (2) It is a defence for a registered veterinarian charged with an30 offence under subsection (1) to prove that — (a) the contravention of section 30 was due to — (i) a mistake on the registered veterinarian’s part;

(ii) reliance on information supplied to the registered veterinarian; or (iii) the act of another person or some other cause beyond the registered veterinarian’s control; and (b) the registered veterinarian took all reasonable precautions 5 and exercised due diligence to prevent the contravention of section 30. (3) A registered veterinarian who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding

both.

False assumption of title of specialist 34.—(1) A registered veterinarian who is not registered under

section 19 as a specialist in a branch of veterinary medicine, or whose registration as a specialist in a branch of veterinary medicine is 15 suspended, must not — (a) practise veterinary medicine under the name or title of a specialist in that branch of veterinary medicine, or under any name, title, addition or description implying that the registered veterinarian is such a specialist or has any 20 degree, qualification, special knowledge, skill or experience in that branch of veterinary medicine; or (b) advertise, cause or permit another person to advertise, or hold himself or herself out as a specialist in that branch of veterinary medicine. 25 (2) A registered veterinarian (A) must not cause or permit a person (B) to make any representation with regard to A which, if made by A with the requisite intent, would contravene subsection (1). (3) A disciplinary case may be brought under Part 5 against any registered veterinarian who contravenes subsection (1) or (2). 30

Making representation of another as specialist, etc. 35.—(1) A registered veterinarian must not make any

representation with regard to another registered veterinarian (A) which, if made by A with the requisite intent, would contravene section 34(1).5 (2) A registered veterinarian must not, by his or her presence, countenance, advice, assistance or cooperation, knowingly enable another registered veterinarian (whether described as an assistant or otherwise) to assume a title in contravention of section 34(1). (3) A disciplinary case may be brought under Part 5 against any10 registered veterinarian who contravenes subsection (1) or (2).

Fraudulent registration as registered veterinarian, etc. 36.—(1) An individual must not —

(a) obtain or attempt to obtain registration as a registered veterinarian, a certificate of registration or a practising15 certificate, by knowingly making or producing or causing to be made or produced any false or fraudulent declaration, certificate, application, information or representation, whether in writing or otherwise; (b) wilfully make or cause to be made any false entry in a20 register; (c) forge or alter a certificate of registration or a practising certificate; (d) use or represent as genuine a certificate of registration or a practising certificate which he or she knows or has reason25 to believe is forged or altered; or (e) buy, sell or fraudulently obtain a certificate of registration or a practising certificate. (2) An individual who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of

both.

PART 5

Division 1 — Voluntary cancellation and suspension of registration, etc. Request for voluntary cancellation or suspension of 5

registration, etc.

1. A registered veterinarian may request the Council to take one or more of the actions mentioned in section 38(2) if the registered veterinarian believes that — (a) his or her fitness to practise veterinary medicine is 10 impaired by reason of his or her physical or mental condition; or (b) the quality of the professional services provided by him or her does not meet the standard that is reasonable to expect of a veterinarian. 15

Voluntary cancellation or suspension of registration, etc. 38.—(1) This section applies if —

(a) a request is made by a registered veterinarian under section 37; or (b) the Council decides under section 46(1) (read with 20 section 45(c)(ii)) to proceed under subsection (2) with the written agreement of the registered veterinarian. (2) The Council may, with the written agreement of the registered veterinarian, do one or more of the following: (a) cancel the registered veterinarian’s registration; 25 (b) suspend the registered veterinarian’s registration for a period not exceeding 3 years; (c) if the registered veterinarian is a veterinarian with full registration, cancel his or her registration and register him or her as a veterinarian with restricted registration, subject 30 to any condition or restriction, including any condition or restriction mentioned in section 18(4);

(d) if the registered veterinarian is —

Act;10 (e) subject to section 23(9), suspend or cancel the registered veterinarian’s practising certificate. (3) However, the Council must not take any action under subsection (2) in relation to a registered veterinarian if — (a) the Council believes that there is evidence for the making15 of a complaint relating to the registered veterinarian’s act or conduct mentioned in section 40(3)(a); (b) the Council believes that there is evidence of any matter mentioned in section 40(4)(a) or (b); or (c) except in the case where subsection (1)(b) applies — a20 disciplinary case has been brought against the registered veterinarian under this Part and is pending against the

(4) If the Council cancels the registration of an individual under subsection (2)(a) or (c) or (6)(c), or the practising certificate of an25 individual under subsection (2)(e), the Council may specify terms that the individual must comply with for the purposes of restoration of the individual’s registration under section 76 or reinstatement of the individual’s practising certificate, as the case may be. (5) If the Council suspends the registration of a registered30 veterinarian under subsection (2)(b) or (6)(d), or suspends the practising certificate of a registered veterinarian under subsection (2)(e), the Council may specify terms that the registered veterinarian must comply with under the suspension.

(6) If a registered veterinarian whose registration is suspended under paragraph (d) or subsection (2)(b) has contravened — (a) the suspension; or (b) any term specified under subsection (5) for the suspension, the Council must make one of the following orders and the Registrar 5 must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the registered veterinarian of the order: (c) cancel the registration; (d) extend, for a further period not exceeding 12 months, the period of suspension of the registration; 10 (e) if the registered veterinarian is —

Act. 20 (7) Subject to section 23(9), if a registered veterinarian whose practising certificate is suspended under subsection (2)(e) has contravened — (a) the suspension; or (b) any term specified under subsection (5) for the suspension, 25 the Council must cancel the registered veterinarian’s practising certificate and the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the registered veterinarian of the cancellation. (8) For the purposes of subsections (5) and (6) — (a) a reference to a suspension of registration includes an 30 extension of the period of suspension of registration under subsection (6)(d); and

(b) a reference to a period of suspension of registration includes an extended period of suspension of registration under subsection (6)(d).

Division 2 — Inquiries into complaints against and information about registered veterinarians5

Appointment of Complaints Panel 39.—(1) For the purpose of enabling Complaints Assessment

Committees, Disciplinary Committees and Interim Orders Committees to be constituted in accordance with this Part, the Council must appoint a panel (called in this Act the Complaints10 Panel) consisting of the following individuals who are not members of the Council: (a) at least 10 registered veterinarians; (b) at least 5 laypersons. (2) A member of the Complaints Panel is appointed for a term of15 2 years and is eligible for re‑appointment. (3) The Council may, at any time, revoke the appointment of any member of the Complaints Panel or fill any vacancy in its membership. (4) The production of any written instrument purporting to be20 signed by the Council and making any appointment or revocation of a member of the Complaints Panel is evidence that the appointment or revocation has been duly made.

Bringing disciplinary case against registered veterinarian 40.—(1) A person may bring a disciplinary case against a registered25 veterinarian by making a complaint against, or providing any information about, the registered veterinarian to the Council on any matter mentioned in subsection (3) or (4). (2) Every disciplinary case mentioned in subsection (1) or section 41(3) must —30 (a) be made in writing;

(b) be supported by a statutory declaration, unless the disciplinary case is brought by a public officer, an officer or employee of a public authority or the Council; and (c) be accompanied by any relevant document or information 5 that is in the possession of the complainant. (3) The complaint mentioned in subsection (1) or section 41(3) is a complaint — (a) relating to — (i) the conduct of a registered veterinarian in his or her 10 professional capacity; or (ii) a registered veterinarian’s improper act or conduct which brings disrepute to his or her profession; or (b) that the quality of the professional services provided by a registered veterinarian does not meet the standard that is 15 reasonable to expect of a veterinarian. (4) The information mentioned in subsection (1) or section 41(3) is information relating to — (a) the conviction in Singapore or elsewhere of a registered veterinarian of any offence involving fraud, dishonesty or 20 moral turpitude, or implying a defect in character that makes him or her unfit to practise veterinary medicine; (b) the death of any animal resulting from the conduct of a registered veterinarian in his or her professional capacity; or 25 (c) the physical or mental fitness of a registered veterinarian to practise veterinary medicine.

Referral of disciplinary case to Registrar 41.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) and sections 42(1) and 43, the

Council must, after receiving any disciplinary case under 30 section 40(1), refer the disciplinary case to the Registrar for review.

(2) The Council need not refer the disciplinary case to the Registrar for review if the disciplinary case relates to any matter set out in section 26(1)(a) to (g) or (2) and, in such a case, the Council or Registrar (as the case may be) may take any action authorised under that section.5 (3) Subject to sections 42(2) and 43, the Council may also, on its own motion, bring a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian by making a complaint against, or providing any information about, the registered veterinarian on any matter mentioned in section 40(3) or (4) to the Registrar for review.10

Limitation period for referral of disciplinary case 42.—(1) Subject to section 43, the Council must not refer a

disciplinary case to the Registrar under section 41(1) if the disciplinary case is brought to the Council under section 40(1) after the end of the later of the following periods:15 (a) 3 years after the date of the act, conduct or occurrence that is the subject matter of the disciplinary case; (b) 3 years after the earliest date on which the complainant had knowledge of the act, conduct or occurrence, or could with reasonable diligence have discovered it.20 (2) Subject to section 43, the Council must not refer a disciplinary case to the Registrar on its own motion under section 41(3) after the end of the later of the following periods: (a) 3 years after the date of the act, conduct or occurrence that is the subject matter of the disciplinary case;25 (b) 3 years after the earliest date on which the Council had knowledge of the act, conduct or occurrence, or could with reasonable diligence have discovered it. (3) In this section, “knowledge” includes the knowledge that a person may reasonably have been expected to acquire —30 (a) from facts observable or ascertainable by the person; or

(b) from facts ascertainable by the person with the help of appropriate expert advice, which is reasonable for the person to seek.

Assessment of disciplinary case for referral to Registrar despite limitation period 5

43.—(1) If the applicable period mentioned in section 42(1) or (2)

has expired for a disciplinary case, the Council must refer the disciplinary case to a member of the Council appointed by the Council (called in this section the appointed member) for an assessment mentioned in subsection (3). 10 (2) The referral under subsection (1) must be made — (a) for a disciplinary case mentioned in section 42(1) — within 2 weeks after the Council receives the disciplinary case; or (b) for a disciplinary case mentioned in section 42(2) — as soon as practicable. 15 (3) The appointed member who is referred a disciplinary case under subsection (1) must, within 3 weeks after the referral, inform the Council of his or her assessment whether it is in the public interest for the disciplinary case to be referred to the Registrar despite the expiry of the applicable period mentioned in section 42(1) or (2). 20 (4) If the appointed member informs the Council that he or she is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to refer the disciplinary case to the Registrar, the Council must, within 2 weeks after receipt of the appointed member’s assessment, refer the disciplinary case to the Registrar under section 41(1) or (3), as the case may be. 25 (5) The appointed person must not be —

(b) if the disciplinary case is intended to be brought by the Council — any member of the Council who participated in (or is or will be participating in) or influenced (or is or will 30 be influencing) the Council’s decision to bring the disciplinary case under section 41(3); or

(c) if section 75(1) applies to the disciplinary case — any member of the Council who participated in (or is or will be participating in) or influenced (or is or will be influencing) the Council’s decision to refer the disciplinary case under section 41(3) to the Registrar for review despite the5 withdrawal of the disciplinary case.

Review of disciplinary case by Registrar 44.—(1) After a disciplinary case is referred to the Registrar under

section 41(1) or (3), the Registrar must review whether there is sufficient merit in the disciplinary case to warrant the institution of10 disciplinary proceedings under this Part against the registered

(2) The Registrar may, for the purpose of the review — (a) enlist the assistance of any member of the Complaints Panel; and15 (b) require the complainant or the registered veterinarian to answer any question, or produce any document or provide any information, that the Registrar considers to be relevant.

Findings and recommendation of Registrar

1. After reviewing a disciplinary case under section 44, the20 Registrar must report his or her findings to the Council and recommend to the Council to — (a) if the Registrar finds that the disciplinary case is frivolous, vexatious, misconceived, without merit or unsubstantiated — dismiss the disciplinary case;25 (b) if the Registrar believes that there is evidence of any matter mentioned in section 40(4)(a) — refer the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry; and (c) in any other case — (i) if the Registrar believes that there is evidence of any30 matter mentioned in section 40(3) or (4)(b) or of any contravention of an interim suspension order made against the registered veterinarian or any term

specified for any such interim suspension order — refer the disciplinary case to a Complaints Assessment Committee for an inquiry; or (ii) if the Registrar believes that there is only evidence of any matter mentioned in section 40(4)(c) — notify 5 the registered veterinarian of the evidence and, with the written agreement of the registered veterinarian, proceed under section 38(2).

Decision of Council after recommendation by Registrar 46.—(1) After receiving the findings and recommendation of the 10 Registrar on a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian, the Council may — (a) accept the recommendation and take the recommended action; or (b) take any other action mentioned in section 45. 15 (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), a reference to a finding or belief of the Registrar in section 45 is a reference to a finding or belief of the Council. (3) If the Council decides to take the action mentioned in section 45(c)(ii), but the Council and the registered veterinarian are 20 unable to agree on the course of action to be taken under section 38(2), the Council must refer the matter to a Complaints Assessment Committee for an inquiry. (4) If the disciplinary case is referred to a Complaints Assessment Committee or Disciplinary Committee for an inquiry or a formal 25 inquiry (as the case may be) under subsection (1) or (3) — (a) the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the registered veterinarian of the referral; and (b) the Registrar must provide the registered veterinarian with a copy of — 30 (i) the complaint or information (as the case may be) to which the disciplinary case relates; and

(ii) any statutory declaration (if any) made in support of the disciplinary case. (5) The following members of the Council must not participate in or influence the decision of the Council under subsection (1):

(c) if the Council is the complainant in the disciplinary case —10

(d) if the Council makes a referral, takes an action or gives a

(e) any member of an Interim Orders Committee that inquired20

(6) To avoid doubt, a member of the Council (not being a member mentioned in subsection (5)) who participated in or influenced any

Division 3 — Complaints Assessment Committees Appointment of Complaints Assessment Committee30

47.—(1) If the Council decides to refer a disciplinary case to a

Complaints Assessment Committee for an inquiry, the disciplinary

case must be referred to a Complaints Assessment Committee appointed under this section. (2) The Council may appoint a Complaints Assessment Committee comprising 3 or more members of the Complaints Panel, of whom — (a) subject to subsection (3), at least one member must be a 5 registered veterinarian with at least 8 years’ experience as a veterinarian; and (b) at least one member must be a layperson. (3) If, in the Council’s opinion, it is inexpedient, difficult or

subsection (2)(a), the Council may appoint to the Complaints Assessment Committee any other registered veterinarian from among the members of the Complaints Panel. (4) The Council must appoint as the chairperson of the Complaints Assessment Committee — 15 (a) a member of the Complaints Assessment Committee who satisfies subsection (2)(a); or (b) if subsection (3) applies — a member of the Complaints Assessment Committee who is a registered veterinarian. (5) The following members of the Complaints Panel must not be a 20 member of a Complaints Assessment Committee for a disciplinary case: (a) any member of the Complaints Panel who assisted the

(b) any member of an Interim Orders Committee that inquired

(c) an investigator appointed to investigate the disciplinary case. 30 (6) A Complaints Assessment Committee may be appointed in connection with one or more disciplinary cases or for a fixed period of time, as the Council thinks fit.

Powers and procedures of Complaints Assessment Committee 48.—(1) For the purposes of an inquiry into a disciplinary case, a

Complaints Assessment Committee may require any person —

before the Complaints Assessment Committee; and5

or be connected with the subject matter of the inquiry. (2) Any person who, without lawful excuse —

Complaints Assessment Committee under subsection (1); or

member of the Complaints Assessment Committee,

(3) Any person who —20 person by a member of the Complaints Assessment Committee; or

the Complaints Assessment Committee that is false or25 misleading, or that omits any matter or thing without which the document, information or material is misleading,

(4) Subject to any regulations made under section 87, a Complaints Assessment Committee may regulate its own procedure for an inquiry. (5) For the purposes of its inquiry into a disciplinary case, a Complaints Assessment Committee may direct an investigator to 5 investigate the disciplinary case. (6) A Complaints Assessment Committee must complete its inquiry into the disciplinary case within 3 months after the date on which the disciplinary case is referred to it, unless the Council, on application of the Complaints Assessment Committee, allows otherwise. 10

Appointment of experts and legal counsel for inquiry before Complaints Assessment Committee 49.—(1) For the purposes of an inquiry before a Complaints

Assessment Committee, the Council may appoint one or more of the

(b) an advocate and solicitor to advise the Complaints Assessment Committee on any legal matter relating to the inquiry.

Findings and recommendation of Complaints Assessment5

Committee

1. After due inquiry into a disciplinary case, the Complaints Assessment Committee must report its findings to the Council and recommend to the Council to — (a) dismiss the disciplinary case;10

(c) take one or more of the following actions: (i) issue either a letter of advice or a letter of warning to the registered veterinarian;15 (ii) direct the registered veterinarian to undertake and complete specified further education or training within a specified period; (iii) if the complainant is not the Council — refer the disciplinary case for mediation between the20 registered veterinarian and the complainant; (iv) take any other action against the registered

Decision of Council after recommendation by Complaints Assessment Committee25

51.—(1) After receiving the findings and recommendation of a

Complaints Assessment Committee on a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian, the Council may — (a) accept the recommendation and take the recommended action;30 (b) take an action mentioned in section 50(a) or (b) or take one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c); or

(c) refer the disciplinary case back to the Complaints Assessment Committee or another Complaints Assessment Committee appointed in its place for further inquiry. (2) The Council must not take any action mentioned in 5 section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv) unless the Council is satisfied that the Complaints Assessment Committee had given the registered veterinarian an opportunity to make representations either personally or by counsel as to why that action should not be taken against him or her. 10 in writing or, if the Complaints Assessment Committee allows, in person. (4) If the Council takes any action mentioned in section 50(c)(ii) or (iv) and the registered veterinarian contravenes any requirement of 15 the action — (a) the Council may refer the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry; and (b) upon such referral, any other action taken by the Council under subsection (1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on 20 the disciplinary case is revoked. (5) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice of the Council’s decision under subsection (1) or (4) to the registered veterinarian and the complainant (if the complainant is not the Council). 25 (6) If the Council takes any action mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv) and the registered veterinarian is dissatisfied with that decision, the registered veterinarian may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (5), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final. 30 (7) If the Council takes any action mentioned in section 50(a) or (c)(i), (ii) or (iv) and the complainant is dissatisfied with that decision, the complainant may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (5), appeal to the Minister whose

(8) The Minister may, in an appeal made under subsection (6) or (7) — (a) affirm the decision of the Council;

a formal inquiry;5 (c) dismiss the disciplinary case (if no other action is taken under subsection (1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on the disciplinary case) or revoke the decision of the Council (in any other case); or (d) make any other order that the Minister thinks fit.10 (9) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice of the Minister’s decision under subsection (8) to the registered veterinarian and the complainant (if the complainant is not the Council). (10) If the Minister refers the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary15 Committee under subsection (8)(b), any decision of the Council under subsection (1)(a) or (b) on the disciplinary case is revoked. (11) The following members of the Council must not participate in or influence the decision of the Council under subsection (1) or (4) or section 52(3), (4), (5) or (7):20

(c) if the Council is the complainant in the disciplinary case —

(d) if the Council makes a referral, takes an action or gives a30

(e) any member of an Interim Orders Committee that inquired

(f) an investigator appointed to investigate the disciplinary case. (12) To avoid doubt, a member of the Council (not being a member mentioned in subsection (11)) who participated in or influenced any

subsection (1) or (4) or section 52(3), (4), (5) or (7).

Division 4 — Mediation Mediation 15

52.—(1) If a disciplinary case is referred for mediation under

section 51, the Council may direct the personal attendance of the complainant and the registered veterinarian before a mediator specified by the Council. (2) The mediator must submit a report to the Council on the 20 outcome of the mediation. (3) If the complainant refuses or fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with the direction under subsection (1), the Council may dismiss the disciplinary case. (4) If the registered veterinarian refuses or fails, without reasonable 25 cause, to comply with the direction under subsection (1), the Council may — (a) refer the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee for

(b) subject to section 51(2), take one or more actions 30 mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv).

(5) If the mediation does not take place for any other reason, or the disciplinary case is not amicably resolved through mediation, the Council may — (a) dismiss the disciplinary case (if no other action is taken under section 51(1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on5 the disciplinary case) or take no further action on the disciplinary case (in any other case);

(c) subject to section 51(2), take one or more actions10 mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv). (6) If the Council refers the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee under subsection (5)(b), any other action taken by the Council under section 51(1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on the disciplinary case is revoked.15 (7) If the disciplinary case is amicably resolved through mediation, the Council may — (a) discontinue the disciplinary case (if no other action is taken under section 51(1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on the disciplinary case) or take no further action on the20 disciplinary case (in any other case); or (b) subject to section 51(2), take one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv). (8) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the registered veterinarian and the complainant of the Council’s25 decision under subsection (3), (4), (5) or (7). (9) If a registered veterinarian is dissatisfied with a decision of the Council under this section to take any action mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv) against the registered veterinarian, the registered veterinarian may, within 30 days after service of the notice30 mentioned in subsection (8), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final. (10) If a complainant is dissatisfied with a decision of the Council under this section to dismiss or discontinue, or take no further action

on, a disciplinary case or take any action mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv), the complainant may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (8), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final. (11) The Minister may, in an appeal made under subsection (9) or 5 (10) — (a) affirm the decision of the Council;

a formal inquiry; (c) dismiss the disciplinary case (if no other action is taken 10 under section 51(1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on the disciplinary case) or revoke the decision of the Council (in any other case); or (d) make any other order that the Minister thinks fit. (12) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice 15 of the Minister’s decision under subsection (11) to the registered veterinarian and the complainant. (13) If the Minister refers the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee under subsection (11)(b), any decision taken by the Council under section 51(1)(a) or (b) on the disciplinary case is 20 revoked.

Division 5 — Disciplinary Committees Appointment of Disciplinary Committee 53.—(1) If the Council decides to refer a disciplinary case to a

Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry, the disciplinary case 25 must be referred to a Disciplinary Committee appointed under this section. (2) The Council may appoint a Disciplinary Committee comprising 3 or more members from among the members of the Council and members of the Complaints Panel, of whom — 30

(a) subject to subsection (3), at least one member must be a member of the Council and a registered veterinarian with at least 8 years’ experience as a veterinarian; (b) subject to subsection (3), at least one member must be a member of the Complaints Panel and a registered5 veterinarian with at least 8 years’ experience as a veterinarian; and (c) subject to subsection (4), at least one member must be a member of the Complaints Panel and a legal professional. (3) If, in the Council’s opinion, it is inexpedient, difficult or10 subsection (2)(a) or (b), the Council may appoint to the Disciplinary Committee any other registered veterinarian from among the members of the Council or the members of the Complaints Panel, as the case may be.15 (4) If, in the Council’s opinion, it is inexpedient, difficult or impracticable to appoint under subsection (2)(c) a legal professional, the Council may appoint to the Disciplinary Committee, from among the members of the Complaints Panel — (a) an advocate and solicitor who has less than 10 years’20 standing; or (b) a Judicial Service Officer or Legal Service Officer who has less than 10 years of full‑time employment in the Singapore Judicial Service or the Singapore Legal Service (or both).25 (5) The Council must appoint as the chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee — (a) a member of the Disciplinary Committee who satisfies subsection (2)(a); or (b) if subsection (3) applies — a member of the Disciplinary30 Committee who is a member of the Council and a

(6) The Council must also appoint a member of the Complaints Panel who is a layperson as the observer of the proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee. (7) The following members of the Council or the Complaints Panel must not be a member or an observer of a Disciplinary Committee for 5 a disciplinary case:

(c) any member of the Complaints Panel who assisted the

(d) if a Complaints Assessment Committee has conducted an 15 inquiry in respect of the disciplinary case — any member of that Committee; (e) if the Council is the complainant in the disciplinary case —

(f) if the Council makes a referral, takes an action or gives a

(g) any member of an Interim Orders Committee that inquired

(h) an investigator appointed to investigate the disciplinary case. (8) To avoid doubt, a member of the Council (not being a member mentioned in subsection (7)) who participated in or influenced any

other decision of the Council on a disciplinary case under this Part is not, by reason only of such participation or influence, disqualified from being a member of a Disciplinary Committee for the

(9) An observer appointed to a Disciplinary Committee must not5 vote on any question or matter to be decided by the Disciplinary Committee and does not have to be present at every meeting of the Disciplinary Committee. (10) A Disciplinary Committee may be appointed in connection with one or more disciplinary cases or for a fixed period of time, as10 the Council thinks fit.

Powers and procedures of Disciplinary Committee 54.—(1) If a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian is

referred to a Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry — (a) subject to subsection (2), the Disciplinary Committee must15 fix the formal inquiry on a date no earlier than 21 days after the date of service of the notice of the referral on the registered veterinarian under section 46(4), 51(5) or (9) or 52(8) or (12); and (b) the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written20 notice to the registered veterinarian of the date of the formal inquiry. (2) The Disciplinary Committee may, with the agreement of the registered veterinarian, fix the formal inquiry on a date earlier than 21 days after the date of service of the notice mentioned in25 subsection (1)(a). (3) The registered veterinarian may, by application to the Disciplinary Committee, request for the postponement of the formal inquiry, and the Disciplinary Committee may postpone the formal inquiry to a date that it determines, or refuse the application.30 (4) For the purposes of the formal inquiry, the Disciplinary Committee may require any person —

before the Disciplinary Committee; and

or be connected with the subject matter of the formal inquiry. (5) Any person who, without lawful excuse — 5 Disciplinary Committee under subsection (4); or

member of the Disciplinary Committee,

(6) Any person who — 15 person by a member of the Disciplinary Committee; or

the Disciplinary Committee that is false or misleading, or that omits any matter or thing without which the document, 20 information or material is misleading,

(7) The Disciplinary Committee — (a) is not bound to act in any formal manner and is not bound by the provisions of the Evidence Act 1893 or by any other written law relating to evidence, but may inform itself on 30 any matter in any manner that it thinks fit; (b) may administer an oath or affirmation to any person giving evidence before it; and

(c) may, subject to any regulations made under section 87, regulate its own procedure for a formal inquiry. (8) Any party to the formal inquiry before the Disciplinary Committee may take out a subpoena to testify or to produce any document, and the subpoena must be served and may be enforced as if5 it were an order to attend court or an order to produce any document issued in connection with a civil action in the General Division of the High Court. (9) Any person giving evidence in the formal inquiry before the Disciplinary Committee is legally bound to tell the truth.10 (10) Any person giving evidence in the formal inquiry before the Disciplinary Committee has the same privileges and immunities in relation to the formal inquiry as if it were a proceeding in a court of law. (11) For the purposes of the formal inquiry into the disciplinary15 case, the Disciplinary Committee may direct an investigator to investigate the disciplinary case. (12) The Disciplinary Committee must complete its formal inquiry into the disciplinary case within 6 months after the date on which the disciplinary case is referred to it, unless the Council, on application of20 the Disciplinary Committee, allows otherwise. (13) Any member of the Council who is a member of the Disciplinary Committee must not participate in or influence the decision of the Council under subsection (12).

Appointment of experts and legal counsel for formal inquiry25

before Disciplinary Committee 55.—(1) For the purposes of a formal inquiry before a Disciplinary

Committee, the Council may appoint one or more of the following:

(b) an advocate and solicitor to prosecute the disciplinary case,30 or to advise the Disciplinary Committee on any legal matter relating to the formal inquiry.

Findings and order of Disciplinary Committee 56.—(1) During the formal inquiry, if a registered veterinarian is 20 found by a Disciplinary Committee — (a) to have been convicted in Singapore or elsewhere of any offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (b) to have been convicted in Singapore or elsewhere of any offence implying a defect in character which makes him or 25 her unfit to practise veterinary medicine; (c) to have been guilty of professional misconduct; (d) to have been guilty of any improper act or conduct which, in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee, brings disrepute to his or her profession; 30 (e) to have failed to provide professional services of the quality that meets the standard that is reasonable to expect of a veterinarian;

(f) to have his or her fitness to practise veterinary medicine impaired by reason of his or her physical or mental condition; or (g) if the registered veterinarian’s registration is suspended under an interim suspension order — to have contravened5 the suspension or any term specified for the interim suspension order, the Disciplinary Committee may make one or more orders under subsection (2). (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the orders that a Disciplinary10 Committee may make against the registered veterinarian are — (a) cancellation of the registered veterinarian’s registration; (b) suspension of the registered veterinarian’s registration for a period not exceeding 3 years; (c) if the registered veterinarian is —15 imposition of any new or additional condition on that registration, or amendment or variation of any condition imposed, amended or varied under this Act; or20 (ii) a veterinarian with restricted registration — imposition of any new or additional condition or restriction on that registration, or amendment or variation of any condition or restriction imposed, amended or varied under this Act;25 (d) subject to section 23(9), suspension or cancellation of the registered veterinarian’s practising certificate; (e) imposition of a penalty not exceeding $50,000; (f) censure of the registered veterinarian; (g) issuance of either an advisory or a warning to the registered30

(h) requirement for the registered veterinarian to give any undertaking that the Disciplinary Committee thinks fit to abstain in future from the conduct complained of; (i) requirement for the registered veterinarian to undertake and complete further education or training, within a period, 5 specified by the Disciplinary Committee; (j) referral of the disciplinary case for mediation and direction for the attendance of the complainant and registered veterinarian before a mediator specified by the Disciplinary Committee; and 10 (k) any other order that the Disciplinary Committee thinks fit. (3) If a conviction of the registered veterinarian for a criminal offence is relevant to the disciplinary case, the Disciplinary Committee and the General Division of the High Court on appeal from any order of the Disciplinary Committee are to accept his or her 15 conviction as final and conclusive. (4) The Disciplinary Committee must dismiss the disciplinary case if the Disciplinary Committee does not make a finding mentioned in

(5) If the Disciplinary Committee cancels the registration or 20 practising certificate of the registered veterinarian under subsection (2)(a) or (d) (as the case may be), the Disciplinary Committee may specify terms that he or she must comply with for the purposes of restoration of his or her registration under section 76 or reinstatement of his or her practising certificate, as the case may be. 25 (6) If the Disciplinary Committee suspends the registration or practising certificate of the registered veterinarian under subsection (2)(b) or (d) (as the case may be), the Disciplinary Committee may specify terms that he or she must comply with under the suspension. 30 (7) If the Disciplinary Committee makes an order under subsection (2), the Disciplinary Committee may also — (a) order the registered veterinarian to pay to the Council the costs and expenses of and incidental to any proceedings

before the Disciplinary Committee and, where applicable, an Interim Orders Committee (called in this section the costs); and (b) in the order, specify the amount of the costs. (8) The costs mentioned in subsection (7) include —5 (a) the costs and expenses of any independent expert appointed under section 55(1)(a), any advocate and solicitor appointed under section 55(1)(b) or any assessor appointed under section 80 for the Disciplinary Committee;10 (b) the costs and expenses of any independent expert appointed under section 65(1)(a), any advocate and solicitor appointed under section 65(1)(b) or any assessor appointed under section 80 for the Interim Orders Committee mentioned in that subsection;15 (c) any reasonable expenses that the Council may pay to witnesses; and (d) any reasonable expenses that are necessary for the conduct of proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee and the Interim Orders Committee mentioned in that subsection.20 (9) For the purposes of an order made under subsection (7), the Disciplinary Committee may certify that costs for more than one advocate and solicitor must be paid, if the Disciplinary Committee is satisfied that the issues involved in the proceedings are of sufficient complexity, and the certification by the Disciplinary25 Committee has the same effect as if it were a certification by a Judge in a civil action in the General Division of the High Court. (10) The General Division of the High Court has jurisdiction to tax any costs mentioned in subsection (7) and any order for costs made by the General Division of the High Court is enforceable as if it were30 ordered in connection with a civil action in the General Division of the High Court. (11) The penalty under subsection (2)(e) is recoverable as a debt due to the Government.

(12) The costs payable to the Council under subsection (7) are recoverable as a debt due to the Council. (13) All penalties collected or recovered under this section must be paid into the Consolidated Fund. (14) All costs collected or recovered by the Council under this 5 section must be paid to the Council.

Further orders by Disciplinary Committee 57.—(1) A Disciplinary Committee may suspend (for a period not

exceeding 12 months) or cancel the registration of a registered veterinarian if — 10 (a) any condition or restriction has been imposed on the registration, or any condition or restriction of the registration has been amended or varied, by — (i) the Disciplinary Committee or another Disciplinary Committee under subsection (2), (3)(c) or (10) or 15 section 56(2)(c); or (ii) an Interim Orders Committee under section 66(2)(e) or 68(3)(b); and (b) the registered veterinarian is subsequently found by the Disciplinary Committee to have failed to comply with the 20 condition or restriction. (2) If a Disciplinary Committee suspends the registration of a registered veterinarian under subsection (1) or (8), the Disciplinary Committee may also — (a) if the registered veterinarian is a veterinarian with full 25 registration or a specialist — impose any new or additional condition on that registration, or amend or vary any condition imposed, amended or varied under this Act; or (b) if the registered veterinarian is a veterinarian with restricted registration — impose any new or additional 30 condition or restriction on that registration, or amend or vary any condition or restriction imposed, amended or varied under this Act.

(3) If a registered veterinarian, whose registration is suspended under paragraph (b), subsection (1) or (8) or section 56(2)(b), contravenes the suspension or any term specified under subsection (6) or section 56(6) for the suspension, a Disciplinary Committee (whether the Disciplinary Committee that made the order5 of suspension or another Disciplinary Committee appointed in its place) must do one of the following: (a) cancel the registration; (b) extend, for a further period not exceeding 12 months, the period of suspension of the registration;10 (c) if the registered veterinarian is —

Act.20 (4) If a Disciplinary Committee decides to suspend or cancel the registration of a registered veterinarian under subsection (1), (3)(a) or (8) or section 56(2)(a) or (b), the Disciplinary Committee may, despite section 60(1) or an appeal under section 62, but subject to section 60(2), order that the registration be suspended or cancelled (as25 the case may be) immediately if it is satisfied that the immediate suspension or cancellation (as the case may be) — (a) is necessary for the protection of members of the public or is otherwise in the public interest; (b) is in the interests of animal health or welfare; or30 (c) is in the interests of the registered veterinarian. (5) If a Disciplinary Committee cancels the registration of a registered veterinarian under subsection (1), (3)(a) or (8), the Disciplinary Committee may specify terms that he or she must

comply with for the purpose of restoration of his or her registration under section 76. (6) If a Disciplinary Committee suspends the registration of a registered veterinarian under subsection (1), (3)(b) or (8), the Disciplinary Committee may specify terms that he or she must 5 comply with under the suspension. (7) If a registered veterinarian whose practising certificate is suspended under section 56(2)(d) contravenes the suspension or any term specified under section 56(6) for the suspension, a Disciplinary Committee (whether the Disciplinary Committee that 10 made the order of suspension or another Disciplinary Committee appointed in its place) must cancel the registered veterinarian’s practising certificate, and the Disciplinary Committee may specify terms that the registered veterinarian must comply with for the purposes of reinstatement of the registered veterinarian’s practising 15 certificate. (8) If a registered veterinarian has contravened a Disciplinary Committee’s order under subsection (9) or section 56(2)(i) requiring the registered veterinarian to undertake and complete further education or training, the Disciplinary Committee or another 20 Disciplinary Committee appointed in its place may suspend (for a period not exceeding 12 months) or cancel the registration of the

(9) If a Disciplinary Committee refers a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian for mediation under section 56(2)(j), the 25 Disciplinary Committee or another Disciplinary Committee appointed in its place may — (a) if the registered veterinarian refuses or fails, without reasonable cause, to attend or participate in the mediation, do one or more of the following: 30 (i) issue either an advisory or a warning to the registered

(ii) direct the registered veterinarian to undertake and complete further education or training, within a period, specified by the Disciplinary Committee; 35

(iii) make any other order that the Disciplinary Committee thinks fit; (b) if the mediation does not take place for any other reason, or the disciplinary case is not amicably resolved through mediation —5 (i) dismiss the disciplinary case (if no other order is made under section 56(2) on the disciplinary case) or make no further order on the disciplinary case (in any other case); or (ii) make one or more of the orders mentioned in10 paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii); or (c) if the disciplinary case is amicably resolved through mediation — (i) discontinue the disciplinary case (if no other order is made under section 56(2) on the disciplinary case) or15 make no further order on the disciplinary case (in any other case); or (ii) make one or more of the orders mentioned in paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii). (10) If a Disciplinary Committee imposes any condition or20 restriction on, or amends or varies any condition or restriction of, the registration of a registered veterinarian, under this Part, the Disciplinary Committee or another Disciplinary Committee appointed in its place may, on the application of the Council or registered veterinarian, revoke, amend or vary the condition or25 restriction. (11) For the purposes of subsections (2), (3) and (6) — (a) a reference to a suspension of registration includes an extension of the period of suspension of registration under subsection (3)(b); and30 (b) a reference to a period of suspension of registration includes an extended period of suspension of registration under subsection (3)(b).

Right of hearing before Disciplinary Committee 58.—(1) A Disciplinary Committee must give a registered

veterinarian an opportunity to be heard either personally or by counsel during a formal inquiry into a disciplinary case against the

(2) A Disciplinary Committee must also, before making any further order under section 57 (except an order made under that section during the formal inquiry mentioned in subsection (1)), give the

in writing or, if the Disciplinary Committee allows, in person.

Service of notice of order

1. If a Disciplinary Committee makes an order under section 56 or 57 in a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian, the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice of the order 15 to the registered veterinarian, the complainant and the Council (if the Council is not the complainant).

When order by Disciplinary Committee takes effect 60.—(1) Subject to sections 57(4) and 62(4), an order made by a

Disciplinary Committee for the suspension or cancellation of the 20 registration of a registered veterinarian under section 56(2)(a) or (b) or 57(1), (3)(a) or (8) takes effect on the 31st day after the order is made. (2) If a Disciplinary Committee orders under section 57(4) that an order mentioned in subsection (1) for the suspension or cancellation 25 of the registration of a registered veterinarian (called in this subsection the subject order) takes effect immediately, the subject order takes effect — (a) if the subject order is made during the formal inquiry on the disciplinary case and the registered veterinarian was 30 present or represented during the formal inquiry — on the date the order is made; or

the registered veterinarian under section 59. (3) Subject to section 62(4), an order of a Disciplinary Committee, other than an order mentioned in subsection (1), takes effect on the date the order is made.5

Effect of order of suspension

1. To avoid doubt, sections 40 to 75 continue to apply to a registered veterinarian whose registration is suspended.

Appeal against Disciplinary Committee’s decision or order 62.—(1) If a registered veterinarian, a complainant or the Council10 (if the Council is not the complainant) is dissatisfied with a decision of or an order by a Disciplinary Committee made under section 56(2), (4) or (7) or 57 (called in this section the decision of the Disciplinary Committee), the registered veterinarian, complainant or Council may, within 30 days after service of the notice of the decision of the15 Disciplinary Committee on the registered veterinarian, complainant or Council (as the case may be), appeal to the General Division of the High Court against the decision of the Disciplinary Committee. (2) An appeal under this section is to be heard by the General Division of the High Court and there is no appeal from the decision of20 the General Division of the High Court. (3) In any appeal to the General Division of the High Court against a decision of a Disciplinary Committee, the General Division of the High Court is to accept as final and conclusive any finding of the Disciplinary Committee relating to any issue of professional ethics or25 standards of professional conduct unless the finding is in the opinion of the General Division of the High Court unsafe, unreasonable or contrary to the evidence. (4) Subject to subsection (5), if a registered veterinarian appeals to the General Division of the High Court against an order made under30 section 56(2) or 57 (called in this section the relevant order), the relevant order is stayed until — (a) the relevant order is confirmed by the General Division of the High Court;

(b) the appeal is dismissed by the General Division of the High Court; or (c) the appeal is withdrawn. (5) Subsection (4) does not apply to a relevant order of a Disciplinary Committee if, at the time the relevant order is made — 5 (a) in the case where the relevant order is made under section 56(2)(a) or (b) or 57(1), (3)(a) or (8) — the Disciplinary Committee orders under section 57(4) that the relevant order takes effect immediately; or (b) in any other case — the Disciplinary Committee orders that 10 the relevant order has effect despite any appeal under this section. (6) A Disciplinary Committee must not make an order under subsection (5)(b) unless the Disciplinary Committee is satisfied that the order is — 15 (a) necessary for the protection of members of the public or is otherwise in the public interest; (b) in the interests of animal health or welfare; or (c) in the interests of the registered veterinarian.

Division 6 — Interim Orders Committees 20

Appointment of Interim Orders Committee 63.—(1) The Registrar, or a Complaints Assessment Committee or

Disciplinary Committee, may recommend a disciplinary case to the Council for referral to an Interim Orders Committee. (2) Subject to subsection (3), the Council may, after a 25 recommendation is received under subsection (1) or on its own motion, and at any time after a disciplinary case is brought against a registered veterinarian under section 40(1) or 41(3), refer the disciplinary case to an Interim Orders Committee to determine whether an order should be made under section 66(2). 30 (3) If the applicable period mentioned in section 42(1) or (2) has expired for a disciplinary case, the Council must not refer the

disciplinary case to an Interim Orders Committee unless the appointed member mentioned in section 43 has assessed under that section that it is in the public interest to refer the disciplinary case to the Registrar. (4) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to5 the registered veterinarian and the complainant (if the complainant is not the Council) of the Council’s decision under subsection (2). (5) The Council may appoint an Interim Orders Committee comprising 3 or more members from among the members of the Council and members of the Complaints Panel, of whom —10 (a) at least 2 members must be members of the Council; and (b) subject to subsection (6), at least one member must be a member of the Complaints Panel and a registered veterinarian with at least 8 years’ experience as a

(6) If, in the Council’s opinion, it is inexpedient, difficult or subsection (5)(b), the Council may appoint to the Interim Orders Committee any other registered veterinarian from among the members of the Complaints Panel.20 (7) The Council must appoint as the chairperson of the Interim Orders Committee a member of the Interim Orders Committee who is a member of the Council. (8) The following members of the Council or Complaints Panel must not be a member of an Interim Orders Committee for a25 disciplinary case:

(c) any member of the Complaints Panel who is assisting or assisted the Registrar in reviewing the disciplinary case under section 44(2)(a);

(d) if a Complaints Assessment Committee or Disciplinary Committee has been appointed for the disciplinary case under this Part — any member of that Committee; (e) if the Council is the complainant in the disciplinary case —

influenced the decision to bring the disciplinary case under section 41(3); (f) if the Council makes a referral, takes an action or gives a

(g) an investigator appointed to investigate the disciplinary case. 15 (9) To avoid doubt, a member of the Council (not being a member mentioned in subsection (8)) who participated in or influenced any other decision of the Council on a disciplinary case under this Part is not, by reason only of such participation or influence, disqualified from being a member of an Interim Orders Committee for the 20 (10) An Interim Orders Committee may be appointed in connection with one or more disciplinary cases or for a fixed period of time, as the Council thinks fit.

Powers and procedures of Interim Orders Committee 25

64.—(1) For the purposes of an inquiry into a disciplinary case or a

review of an interim order, an Interim Orders Committee may require any person —

before the Interim Orders Committee; and 30

or be connected with the subject matter of the inquiry or review.

(2) Any person who, without lawful excuse —

Interim Orders Committee under subsection (1); or

member of the Interim Orders Committee,5

(3) Any person who —

person by a member of the Interim Orders Committee; or

the Interim Orders Committee that is false or misleading,15 or that omits any matter or thing without which the document, information or material is misleading,

(4) The Interim Orders Committee — (a) is not bound to act in any formal manner and is not bound by the provisions of the Evidence Act 1893 or by any other25 written law relating to evidence, but may inform itself on any matter in any manner that it thinks fit; (b) may administer an oath or affirmation to any person giving evidence before it; and (c) may, subject to any regulations made under section 87,30 regulate its own procedure for the inquiry or review. (5) Any party to the inquiry or review before the Interim Orders Committee may take out a subpoena to testify or to produce any

document, and the subpoena must be served and may be enforced as if it were an order to attend court or an order to produce any document issued in connection with a civil action in the General Division of the High Court. (6) Any person giving evidence in the inquiry or review before the 5 Interim Orders Committee is legally bound to tell the truth. (7) Any person giving evidence in the inquiry or review before the Interim Orders Committee has the same privileges and immunities in relation to the inquiry or review as if it were a proceeding in a court of law. 10 (8) For the purposes of the inquiry or review, the Interim Orders Committee may direct an investigator to investigate the disciplinary case.

Appointment of experts and legal counsel for inquiry or review before Interim Orders Committee 15

65.—(1) For the purposes of an inquiry into a disciplinary case or a

review of an interim order by an Interim Orders Committee, the Council may appoint one or more of the following:

(b) an advocate and solicitor to prosecute the disciplinary case, 20 or to advise the Interim Orders Committee on any legal matter relating to the inquiry or review.

Interim orders 66.—(1) An Interim Orders Committee must inquire into and10 decide on a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian as soon as practicable after the disciplinary case is referred to it. (2) Subject to subsection (4), if, after due inquiry into the disciplinary case, the Interim Orders Committee is satisfied that — (a) it is necessary for the protection of members of the public15 or is otherwise in the public interest; (b) it is in the interests of animal health or welfare; or (c) it is in the interests of the registered veterinarian, to suspend, or impose any condition or restriction on, the registered veterinarian’s registration, the Interim Orders Committee may —20 (d) make an interim suspension order providing that the registration is suspended for a period not exceeding 18 months as specified in the order; or (e) make an interim restriction order providing that the registration is conditional on his or her compliance,25 during any period not exceeding 18 months as specified in the order, with any condition or restriction specified in the order that the Interim Orders Committee thinks fit to impose. (3) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to30 the registered veterinarian and the complainant of the order made under subsection (2), and the order takes effect —

(a) if the registered veterinarian was present or represented at the proceedings of the Interim Orders Committee — on the date the order is made; or

the registered veterinarian. 5 (4) An Interim Orders Committee must not make an order under subsection (2) after the relevant proceedings for the disciplinary case are concluded (as specified in section 71(2)). (5) If the Interim Orders Committee suspends the registration of the registered veterinarian under subsection (2)(d), the Interim Orders 10 Committee may specify terms that the registered veterinarian must comply with under the suspension.

Review of interim orders 67.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), if an Interim Orders Committee

makes an order under section 66(2), or makes a replacement order 15 under section 68(3)(c) or (d), the Interim Orders Committee or another Interim Orders Committee appointed in its place — (a) must review the order within the period of 6 months beginning on the date on which the order is made; (b) must, for so long as the order continues in force, further 20 review the order before the end of the period of 3 months beginning on the date of the decision on the immediately preceding review under this section; and (c) may review the order at any time if new evidence relevant to the order becomes available after the making of the 25 order. (2) If the General Division of the High Court extends the period of the order under section 70(2) or an Interim Orders Committee makes a replacement order under section 68(3)(c) or (d), the first review after the extension or making of the replacement order must take 30 place — (a) if the order has not been reviewed under subsection (1) before the extension or the making of the replacement order — within the period of 6 months beginning on the

date on which the General Division of the High Court orders the extension or on which the replacement order is made, as the case may be; or (b) in any other case — within the period of 3 months beginning on the date on which the General Division of the5 High Court orders the extension or on which the replacement order is made, as the case may be.

Interim Orders Committee may revoke, vary or replace interim order, etc. 68.—(1) This section applies if an interim order is made in a10 disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian under section 66(2) or this section. (2) The Council, the Registrar, a Complaints Assessment Committee or a Disciplinary Committee may recommend to an Interim Orders Committee to make any order under subsection (3)15 against the registered veterinarian. (3) After a review of an interim order under section 67 or after receiving a recommendation under subsection (2), the Interim Orders Committee that made, or reviewed, the interim order, or another Interim Orders Committee appointed in its place, may do any of the20 (a) revoke the order; (b) in the case of an interim restriction order — amend, vary or revoke any condition or restriction imposed by the order or impose any new or additional condition or restriction;25 (c) in the case of an interim restriction order — replace the interim restriction order with an interim suspension order (effective for the remainder of the period of the replaced interim restriction order), if satisfied that — (i) it is necessary for the protection of members of the30 public or is otherwise in the public interest, is in the interests of animal health or welfare or is in the interests of the registered veterinarian; or

(ii) the registered veterinarian has not complied with any condition or restriction imposed by the interim restriction order; (d) in the case of an interim suspension order — replace the interim suspension order with an interim restriction order 5 (effective for the remainder of the period of the replaced interim suspension order), if satisfied that all or any of following would be adequately served by an interim restriction order: (i) the protection of members of the public; 10 (ii) the public interest; (iii) the interests of animal health or welfare; (iv) the interests of the registered veterinarian. (4) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the registered veterinarian and the complainant of the decision under 15 subsection (3), and the decision takes effect — (a) if the registered veterinarian was present or represented at the proceedings of the Interim Orders Committee — on the date the decision is made; or

the registered veterinarian. (5) If a registered veterinarian whose registration is suspended under an interim suspension order has contravened the interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order — 25 (a) the Interim Orders Committee that made, or reviewed, the interim suspension order, or another Interim Orders Committee appointed in its place, must extend the interim suspension order until the date on which the relevant proceedings for the disciplinary case are 30 concluded (as specified in section 71(2)); and (b) the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the registered veterinarian of the extension.

Right of hearing before Interim Orders Committee 69.—(1) An interim order under section 66(2) must not be made by

an Interim Orders Committee against any registered veterinarian unless he or she has been given an opportunity to be heard either personally or by counsel as to whether such an order should be made5 in his or her case. (2) An Interim Orders Committee must also, before making any further order under section 68, give the registered veterinarian concerned an opportunity to make representations.

in writing or, if the Interim Orders Committee allows, in person.

Application to General Division of High Court 70.—(1) The Council may apply to the General Division of the

High Court for an extension of the period for which an interim order made under section 66(2) or 68(3)(c) or (d) has effect, and may apply15 again for one or more further extensions. (2) On an application under subsection (1), the General Division of the High Court may grant an extension (or a further extension) for a period not exceeding 12 months. (3) The General Division of the High Court may, on an application20 by the registered veterinarian concerned — (a) in the case of an interim suspension order — revoke the order; (b) in the case of an interim restriction order — revoke the order or amend, vary or revoke any condition or restriction25 imposed by the order; or (c) in either case — substitute for the period specified in the order (or in the order extending it) some other period which could have been specified in the order when it was made, or in the order extending it.30 (4) An application under subsection (3) must be made within 14 days after service of the notice on the registered veterinarian

concerned of the interim order under section 66(3) or 68(4), as the case may be. (5) An application under subsection (3) must be heard otherwise than in open court. (6) The General Division of the High Court may, on an application 5 by the registered veterinarian, order that any information contained in any document relating to an application under subsection (3) must not be published or disclosed, unless — (a) the registered veterinarian consents to the publication or disclosure; or 10 (b) the General Division of the High Court is satisfied that the information if published or disclosed does not disclose any confidential information.

Duration of interim orders 71.—(1) An interim order made in a disciplinary case is in force 15 until the earliest of the following: (a) the end of the period specified — (i) in the order; (ii) if the period is extended under section 68(5) or 70(2), in the order extending it; or 20 (iii) if the period is substituted under section 70(3)(c), in the order making that substitution; (b) the date on which the relevant proceedings for the disciplinary case are concluded; (c) the date the order is revoked. 25 (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) and sections 66(4) and 68(5)(a), the relevant proceedings for a disciplinary case are concluded when any one of the following occurs: (a) the Council takes any action mentioned in section 45(a) or (c)(ii) in the disciplinary case; 30

(b) the Council, under section 51(1)(a) or (b), dismisses the disciplinary case or takes one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv) in the disciplinary case and — (i) no appeal is made to the Minister under section 51(6) or (7) against any of those actions within the period5 specified in that provision; or (ii) if such an appeal is made — the appeal is either withdrawn or the Minister makes an order under section 51(8)(a), (c) or (d) on the appeal; (c) if the disciplinary case is referred, under section 51, to10 mediation — (i) the Council, under section 52(3), (5) or (7), decides to dismiss or discontinue, or take no further action on the disciplinary case and — (A) no appeal is made to the Minister under15 section 52(10) against the decision within the period specified in that provision; or (B) if such an appeal is made — the appeal is either withdrawn or the Minister makes an order under section 52(11)(a), (c) or (d) on the20 appeal; or (ii) the Council, under section 52(4), (5) or (7) takes one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv) and — (A) no appeal is made to the Minister under25 section 52(9) or (10) against any of those actions within the period specified in that provision; or (B) if such an appeal is made — the appeal is either withdrawn or the Minister makes an order30 under section 52(11)(a), (c) or (d) on the appeal;

(d) if the disciplinary case is referred to a Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry, the Disciplinary Committee — (i) makes any order under section 56(2) which takes effect; or 5 (ii) dismisses the disciplinary case under section 56(4); (e) if the complainant withdraws the disciplinary case and the Council does not make a referral, take an action or give a direction mentioned in section 75(1) within the period mentioned in that section. 10

Effect of interim suspension order

1. To avoid doubt, sections 40 to 75 continue to apply to a registered veterinarian whose registration is suspended under an interim suspension order.

Division 7 — Investigations 15

Conduct of investigation by investigator 73.—(1) If —

(a) a Complaints Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee or an Interim Orders Committee (called in this Division the relevant committee) directs an 20 investigation under section 48(5), 54(11) or 64(8), as the case may be; and (b) the relevant committee is of the opinion that the registered veterinarian should answer any allegation made against him or her, 25 then — (c) the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give the registered veterinarian written notice of the investigation; and (d) the relevant committee must invite the registered 30 veterinarian to give to the investigator, within the period specified in the notice, any written explanation he or she

may wish to offer, containing all the relevant information and accompanied by every relevant document that is in the possession of the registered veterinarian. (2) A notice under subsection (1) must include copies of — (a) the complaint or information (as the case may be) to which5 the disciplinary case relates; and (b) any statutory declaration (if any) made in support of the

(3) The registered veterinarian may, at any time before the end of the period specified for the submission of the written explanation,10 make not more than one application to the relevant committee for an extension of the period, and any extension given by the relevant committee must not exceed 21 days. (4) For the purposes of an investigation directed under section 48(5), 54(11) or 64(8), an investigator may exercise one or15 more of the powers under section 79 in carrying out the investigator’s functions and duties.

Investigation report and information obtained in course of investigation 74.—(1) After completing an investigation into a disciplinary case20 against a registered veterinarian, the investigator must submit a report on the findings of the investigation to the relevant committee. (2) The report mentioned in subsection (1) must include any written explanation from the registered veterinarian mentioned in section 73(1)(d).25 (3) If, in the course of the investigation, the investigator receives any information relating to the registered veterinarian that is not related to the subject matter of the investigation but may give rise to proceedings under this Part, the investigator must make a report to the Council.30 (4) If, in the course of the investigation, an investigator receives any information relating to another registered veterinarian which may give rise to proceedings under this Part, the investigator must make a report to the Council.

(5) Subject to subsections (1), (3) and (4), a person must not disclose the contents of any investigation report or any information contained in any document which was obtained in the course of any investigation commenced under this Part to any other person, including the registered veterinarian concerned, unless — 5 (a) the relevant committee to which the investigation report is submitted considers that there are compelling reasons to do so; or (b) the disclosure is required for the purpose of administering or enforcing this Act, the Animals and Birds Act 1965 or 10 the Infectious Diseases Act 1976.

Division 8 — Withdrawal of disciplinary case Withdrawal of disciplinary case 75.—(1) If a complainant (other than the Council) withdraws a

disciplinary case, the Council may within 3 months after the date of 15 the withdrawal, despite the withdrawal — (a) if the disciplinary case is withdrawn before the Council refers it under section 41(1) to the Registrar — subject to sections 42 and 43, refer the disciplinary case under section 41(3) (as if the Council were the complainant) to 20 the Registrar for review; (b) if the disciplinary case is withdrawn before the Registrar reports his or her findings and makes his or her recommendations to the Council under section 45 — direct the Registrar to continue the review of the 25 disciplinary case under section 44 and report the findings and make the recommendations to the Council under section 45; (c) if the disciplinary case is withdrawn before the Council refers it to a Complaints Assessment Committee or 30 Disciplinary Committee under section 46(1) — refer the disciplinary case to a Complaints Assessment Committee or Disciplinary Committee for an inquiry or a formal inquiry (respectively) under that section;

(d) if the disciplinary case is withdrawn before a Complaints Assessment Committee reports its findings and makes its recommendations to the Council under section 50 — direct the Complaints Assessment Committee to continue the inquiry into the disciplinary case, and report its findings5 and make its recommendations to the Council under that section; (e) if the disciplinary case is withdrawn before the Council takes any action under section 51(1) or (4) or 52(4), (5) or (7) in the disciplinary case — take action under that10 provision in the disciplinary case; or (f) if the disciplinary case is withdrawn before a Disciplinary Committee makes an order under section 56(2) in the disciplinary case — direct the Disciplinary Committee to continue the formal inquiry into the disciplinary case.15 (2) If the Council refers a disciplinary case, or gives a direction for the disciplinary case, under subsection (1) to the Registrar, a Complaints Assessment Committee or a Disciplinary Committee, the Registrar, Complaints Assessment Committee or Disciplinary Committee (as the case may be) must comply with the referral or20 direction, and the disciplinary case must be continued under this Act, as if the disciplinary case had been brought by the Council. (3) If a complainant (not being the Council) withdraws a disciplinary case after the disciplinary case is referred to an Interim Orders Committee, and the Council makes a referral, takes an action25 or gives a direction under subsection (1) for the disciplinary case, the Interim Orders Committee must continue its inquiry or review in respect of the disciplinary case as if the disciplinary case had been brought by the Council. (4) The following members of the Council must not participate in or30 influence the decision of the Council under subsection (1) for a disciplinary case:

(c) if the disciplinary case has been referred to a Disciplinary Committee before it is withdrawn by the complainant — a member of the Disciplinary Committee; 5 (d) if the disciplinary case has been referred to an Interim Orders Committee before it is withdrawn by the complainant — a member of the Interim Orders Committee; (e) an investigator appointed to investigate the disciplinary 10 case. (5) To avoid doubt, a member of the Council (not being a member mentioned in subsection (4)) who participated in or influenced any

Division 9 — Miscellaneous Restoration of registration cancelled under this Part 76.—(1) This section applies in relation to an individual whose 20 registration is cancelled — (a) under section 38(2)(a) or (c); or (b) pursuant to an order made by a Disciplinary Committee under section 56(2)(a) or 57(1), (3)(a) or (8). (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the Council may, on its own 25 motion or on an application for restoration by the individual mentioned in subsection (1) — (a) if action has been taken in respect of the individual’s registration under section 38(2)(c) — cancel the individual’s registration as a veterinarian with restricted 30 registration and restore the individual’s registration as a veterinarian with full registration; or

(b) in any other case — restore the individual’s registration. (3) If section 38(4) applies to the individual and the individual has not complied with any of the terms specified under that provision, the Council must not restore the individual’s registration under subsection (2).5 (4) In the case mentioned in subsection (1)(b), the Council must not restore the individual’s registration under subsection (2) if — (a) the individual has not complied with the terms (if any) of any order made against him or her by the Disciplinary Committee under section 56(5) or 57(5);10 (b) the application for restoration is made before the end of 3 years after the date of the cancellation; or (c) the application for restoration is made more than once in any period of 12 months.

Meetings and proceedings of committees, etc.15

77.—(1) This section applies to every Complaints Assessment

Committee, Disciplinary Committee or Interim Orders Committee (each called in this section a relevant committee) appointed under this Act. (2) The Council may at any time —20 (a) revoke the appointment of a relevant committee; or (b) remove any member of a relevant committee. (3) The Council must, as soon as practicable — (a) fill any vacancy in a relevant committee; and (b) if the appointment of a relevant committee is revoked25 under subsection (2)(a) or a relevant committee is for any reason unable to continue with an inquiry, a formal inquiry or a review (as the case may be), appoint another relevant committee in its place to continue with the inquiry, formal inquiry or review.30 (4) No act done by or under the authority of a relevant committee is invalid because of any defect that is subsequently discovered in the

appointment or qualifications of the chairperson, any member or the observer (if applicable) of the relevant committee. (5) The production of any written instrument purporting to be signed by the Council and making any appointment or revocation of a relevant committee is evidence that the appointment or revocation 5 has been duly made. (6) The chairperson of a relevant committee may at any time summon a meeting of the relevant committee. (7) A relevant committee may meet for the purposes of its inquiry, formal inquiry or review (as the case may be), and may adjourn and 10 otherwise regulate the conduct of its inquiry, formal inquiry or review as its members think fit. (8) All the members of a relevant committee must be present to constitute a quorum for a meeting of the relevant committee. (9) Despite subsection (8), any resolution or decision in writing 15 signed by all the members of a relevant committee is as valid and effectual as if it had been made or reached at a meeting of the relevant committee where all its members were present. (10) All the members of a relevant committee present at any meeting of the relevant committee must vote on any question arising 20 at the meeting, and that question is to be determined by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chairperson has a casting vote. (11) However, if any member of a relevant committee — (a) is removed under subsection (2)(b); or 25 (b) is unable through death, illness or any other cause to continue with the inquiry, formal inquiry or review (as the case may be), the relevant committee must not make any decision on any question arising at a meeting until that vacancy is filled. 30 (12) A member of a relevant committee who ceases to be a member of the Complaints Panel or Council (as the case may be) at the end of his or her term of office continues as a member of the relevant committee until the completion of the work by the relevant

committee, as if he or she were still a member of the Complaints Panel or Council (as the case may be). (13) The Minister may determine the remuneration (if any) to be paid to each member or observer of a relevant committee. (14) If a member or an observer of a relevant committee is an5 employee, any remuneration payable to the member or observer under subsection (13) may be paid to his or her employer.

Officer or employee of National Parks Board not disqualified from being committee member or observer 78.—(1) Any member of the Council who is an officer or employee10 of the National Parks Board is not disqualified from being a member of any Disciplinary Committee or Interim Orders Committee by reason only that he or she is such an officer or is so employed, as the case may be. (2) Any member of the Complaints Panel who is an officer or15 employee of the National Parks Board is not disqualified from being a member of any Complaints Assessment Committee, Disciplinary Committee or Interim Orders Committee, or an observer of any Disciplinary Committee, by reason only that he or she is such an officer or is so employed, as the case may be.20

PART 6

Investigators 79.—(1) Subject to subsection (9), the Council may, in writing,

appoint a member of the Council, a public officer, an officer or25 employee of a public authority, a duly qualified veterinarian or an auxiliary police officer as an investigator, subject to any conditions and limitations that the Council may specify — (a) to investigate the commission of an offence under this Act; or30 (b) to carry out an investigation under Part 5.

(2) An investigator may, for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) or (b) — (a) without warrant enter, inspect, and search during regular business hours any premises or conveyance used or proposed to be used, or in respect of which there is 5 reasonable cause to believe are being used, by any person for the purpose of carrying out, or purporting to carry out, the practice of veterinary medicine; (b) inspect or examine any animal (whether living or dead), object or thing or observe any activity conducted in or on 10 the premises or conveyance; (c) take a sample — (i) from any animal (whether living or dead) in or on the premises or conveyance, with the consent of the owner of the animal; or 15 (ii) of any thing that is or has been in contact with, or in the vicinity of, the animal; (d) make a still or moving image or recording of the premises or conveyance and any animal (whether living or dead), object or thing in or on the premises or conveyance; 20 (e) inspect any document in or on the premises or conveyance and take any extract from, or make any copy of, the document; (f) take into or onto the premises or conveyance any equipment and material that the investigator requires for 25 the purpose of exercising any power in relation to the premises or conveyance; (g) operate any electronic equipment in or on the premises or conveyance; (h) take into custody — 30 (i) any animal (whether living or dead), with the consent of the owner of the animal, which the investigator reasonably believes to be the subject matter of, or

connected with, an investigation mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b); or (ii) any object or thing in the premises or conveyance which the investigator reasonably believes to be the subject matter of, or connected with, an investigation5 mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b); and (i) in respect of a dead animal taken into custody under paragraph (h)(i) — conduct, with the consent of the owner of the animal, a post‑mortem examination on the body of the dead animal for the purposes of —10 (i) determining the cause of the death of that animal; or (ii) investigating the extent of any disease suffered by that animal prior to its death. (3) An investigator may, for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) or (b) —15 (a) examine orally any person apparently acquainted with any facts and circumstances relevant to the matter under investigation; (b) require any person apparently acquainted with any facts and circumstances relevant to the matter under20 investigation to attend at the time and place specified in a written notice served on the person; (c) require any person whom the investigator has reason to believe has any document or information relevant to the matter under investigation to produce the document or25 provide the information, within a reasonable period specified by the investigator; and (d) require any person to present or produce any object or thing, which may be in the person’s custody or possession and which may be related to or connected with the subject30 matter of the investigation, for inspection or examination by the investigator.

(4) The power under subsection (2)(g) to operate any electronic equipment in or on any premises or conveyance includes the power — (a) to use a disk, tape or other storage device that is in or on the premises or conveyance and can be used with the 5 equipment or in association with the equipment; (b) to operate the electronic equipment to put the relevant data in documentary form and remove any document so produced from the premises or conveyance; and (c) to operate the electronic equipment to transfer the relevant 10 data to a disk, tape or other storage device that — (i) is brought to the premises or conveyance for the exercise of the power; or (ii) is in or on the premises or conveyance and the use of which for that purpose has been agreed in writing by 15 the occupier of the premises or conveyance, (c) and to remove the disk, tape or other storage device from those premises or that conveyance. (5) The power to require a person to produce a document or provide information under subsection (3)(c) includes the power — 20 (a) to require that person, or any person who is or was an officer or employee of that person, to provide an explanation of the document or information; (b) if the document is not produced or information is not provided, to require that person to state, to the best of the 25 person’s knowledge and belief, where it is; and (c) if the information is recorded otherwise than in legible form, to require the information to be made available to the investigator in legible form. (6) A person examined under this section must state truly the facts 30 and circumstances relevant to the matter under investigation with which the person is acquainted, except only that the person need not say anything that might expose the person to a criminal charge, penalty or forfeiture.

(7) A statement made by a person examined under this section must — (a) be reduced to writing; (b) be read over to the person; (c) if the person does not understand English, be interpreted in5 a language that the person understands; and (d) after correction (if necessary), be signed by the person. (8) No compensation is payable in respect of any animal or thing which is damaged or otherwise destroyed by virtue of any exercise of powers under subsection (2)(c), unless the damage or destruction is10 directly attributable to the negligence or default of the investigator. (9) The following individuals must not be appointed as an investigator for a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian:

(c) any member of the Complaints Panel who assisted the

(d) if a Complaints Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee or an Interim Orders Committee has conducted or is conducting an inquiry, a formal inquiry or a review (as the case may be) in respect of the disciplinary case under25 Part 5 — any member of that Committee; (e) any member of the Council who participated in or influenced the Council’s decision — (i) to bring, as the complainant, the disciplinary case under section 41(3);30 (ii) to make a referral, take an action or give a direction mentioned in section 75(1) for the continuation of a

disciplinary case despite the withdrawal of the disciplinary case; or (iii) taken under section 46(1), 51(1) or (4) or 52(4), (5) or (7) on the disciplinary case. (10) An investigator who has been appointed to investigate a 5 disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian must not subsequently take part in any deliberation of the Council in respect of the same disciplinary case under any provision of Part 5. (11) A person who — (a) wilfully obstructs or delays an investigator in the exercise 10 of any power under subsection (2) or (3); (b) fails to comply with any requisition or order of an investigator under subsection (3); (c) knowingly gives a false answer to any question put to the person by an investigator; or 15 (d) knowingly gives any document, information or material to an investigator that is false or misleading, or that omits any matter or thing without which the document, information or material is misleading,

6 months or to both and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a

(12) In this section — 25 “auxiliary police officer” means an auxiliary police officer appointed under the Police Force Act 2004; “owner” includes any person for the time being in charge of any animal; “take a sample”, for an animal, means — 30 (a) to take a swab from the animal or of any part of the animal;

(b) to take a sample of any part of the animal; or (c) to take a sample of any urine, faeces, blood or other article or substance from, or which has been in contact with, the animal.

Assessors to Council5

80.—(1) For the purposes of advising the Council, or any

committee appointed by the Council, the Council may appoint a legal assessor to the Council who must be an advocate and solicitor of at least 10 years’ standing. (2) The legal assessor must not participate or sit in any deliberations10 of the Council or its committees unless invited to do so, and his or her participation is limited only to questions of law arising from the proceedings. (3) The Council may appoint a medical assessor to assist the Council or any committee appointed by the Council in proceedings15 before any of them under this Act. (4) The Council may pay to a legal assessor or medical assessor, as

(5) If a legal assessor or medical assessor is an employee, any20 remuneration payable to the legal assessor or medical assessor under subsection (4) may be paid to his or her employer. (6) In this section, a committee appointed by the Council includes a Complaints Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee and an Interim Orders Committee.25

Protection from personal liability

1. No liability shall lie against — (b) any member of the Council or any person authorised, appointed or employed to assist the Council;30

(c) any member of a Complaints Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee, an Interim Orders Committee or any committee appointed under section 13; and (d) any investigator, for anything which is done or purported to be done, or omitted to be 5 done, in good faith and with reasonable care in the exercise or purported exercise of any power or the performance or purported performance of any function under this Act.

Deemed public servants 82.—(1) The following persons are each taken to be a public 10 servant for the purposes of the Penal Code 1871 in relation to his or her performance of any function or duty under this Act:

(b) any member of the Council or any person authorised, appointed or employed to assist the Council; 15 (c) any member of a Complaints Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee, an Interim Orders Committee or any committee appointed under section 13; (d) any investigator. (2) For the purposes of sections 193 and 228 of the Penal 20 Code 1871, “judicial proceeding” is taken to include any proceedings before a Complaints Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee or an Interim Orders Committee.

Composition of offences 83.—(1) The Council may compound any offence under this Act 25 that is prescribed as a compoundable offence by collecting from a person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding the lower of the following: (a) one‑half of the amount of the maximum fine that is prescribed for the offence; 30 (b) $2,000.

(2) On payment of the sum of money, no further proceedings are to be taken against that person in respect of the offence. (3) All sums collected under this section must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Service of documents5

84.—(1) A document that is permitted or required by or under this

Act to be served on a person may be served as described in this section. (2) A document permitted or required by or under this Act to be served on an individual may be served —10 (a) by giving it to the individual personally; (b) by sending it by prepaid registered post to the address specified by the individual for the service of documents generally, or specifically for the document, or (if no address is so specified) the individual’s residential address15 or business address; (c) by leaving it at the individual’s residential address with an adult apparently resident there, or at the individual’s business address with an adult apparently employed there; (d) by affixing a copy of the document in a conspicuous place20 at the individual’s residential address or business address; or (e) by sending it by email to the individual’s last email address. (3) A document permitted or required by or under this Act to be25 served on a partnership (other than a limited liability partnership) may be served — (a) by giving it to any partner or other similar officer, or an authorised representative, of the partnership; (b) by leaving it at, or by sending it by prepaid registered post30 to, the partnership’s business address; or

(c) by sending it by email to the partnership’s last email address. (4) A document permitted or required by or under this Act to be served on a body corporate (including a limited liability partnership) or an unincorporated association may be served — 5 (a) by giving it to the secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or unincorporated association, or the limited liability partnership’s manager; (b) by leaving it at, or by sending it by prepaid registered post to, the registered office or principal office in Singapore of 10 the body corporate or unincorporated association; or (c) by sending it by email to the last email address of the body corporate or unincorporated association. (5) In addition, a document permitted or required by or under this Act to be served on an individual, a partnership, a body corporate or 15 an unincorporated association may be served by giving an electronic notice to the individual, partnership, body corporate or unincorporated association (called in this section an addressee) by the addressee’s chosen means of notification, stating that the document is available and how the addressee may use the 20 addressee’s chosen means of access to access the document’s contents. (6) Service of a document under this section takes effect — (a) if the document is sent by prepaid registered post — 2 days after the day the document was posted (even if it is returned 25 undelivered); or (b) if the document is sent by email — at the time that the email becomes capable of being retrieved by the person to whom it is sent. (7) However, service of any document under this Act on a person by 30 email or by an electronic notice at the person’s chosen means of notification may be effected only with the person’s prior written consent to service in that way.

(8) This section does not apply to documents to be served in proceedings in court. (9) In this section — “authorised representative”, in relation to a partnership (other than a limited liability partnership), means any person5 authorised to accept service of documents on behalf of the partnership; “business address” means — (a) in the case of an individual, the individual’s usual or last known place of business in Singapore; or10 (b) in the case of a partnership (other than a limited liability partnership), the partnership’s principal or last known place of business in Singapore; “chosen means of access”, for an addressee on whom is or is to be served a document permitted or required by or under this15 Act, means an electronic means that the addressee agrees with the person serving the document as the means by which the addressee may access that document’s contents; “chosen means of notification”, for an addressee on whom is or is to be served a document permitted or required by or under20 this Act, means an electronic means that the addressee nominates to the person serving the document as the means by which the addressee may be notified that such a document has been served on the addressee; “document” includes a direction, an order or a notice permitted25 or required by or under this Act to be served; “last email address” means the last email address given by the addressee concerned to the person giving or serving the document as the email address for the service of documents under this Act;30 “residential address” means an individual’s usual or last known place of residence in Singapore.

Jurisdiction of courts

1. Despite the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, a District Court or a Magistrate’s Court has jurisdiction to try any offence under this Act and has power to impose the full punishment for the offence.

Exemption 5

1. The Minister may, after consultation with the Council, by order in the Gazette, exempt any person or class of persons from all or any of the provisions of this Act, either generally or in a particular case and subject to any condition that the Minister may impose.

Regulations 10

87.—(1) The Council may, with the approval of the Minister, make

regulations necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act and for the due administration of this Act. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Council may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations — 15 (a) on matters relating to the registration of veterinarians, including renewals of registration for specialists; (b) providing for different registration requirements for specialists in different branches of veterinary medicine; (c) on matters relating to the grant and renewal of practising 20 certificates, including the reinstatement of practising certificates cancelled under the Act; (d) prescribing procedures for the cancellation and restoration of registration; (e) regulating the professional practice, etiquette, conduct and 25 discipline of registered veterinarians; (f) prescribing acts or activities which a specialist may perform only on satisfaction of prescribed requirements; (g) prescribing the powers and procedures of, and regulating the conduct of any proceedings before, a Complaints 30 Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee, an

Interim Orders Committee or any other committee appointed by the Council under this Act; (h) prescribing the procedure for the withdrawal of any disciplinary case by a complainant or the Council (if the Council is not the complainant) under Part 5;5 (i) prescribing the procedure for any appeal to the Minister; (j) prescribing any additional function of the Registrar; (k) prescribing fees for the purposes of this Act; and (l) generally providing for any other matter that may be necessary or expedient for carrying out the provisions of10 this Act or that is required or permitted to be prescribed under this Act. (3) Regulations made under this Act may make different provisions, or prescribe different fees, for different classes of persons or different circumstances.15 (4) Regulations made under this section may provide that any contravention of any provision of the regulations shall be an offence punishable with a fine not exceeding $5,000 or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or with both.

Consequential amendments to other Acts20

88.—(1) In the Animals and Birds Act 1965 —

(a) in section 44(1)(b), replace “a person licensed under section 53” with “a duly qualified veterinarian within the meaning given by section 3 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2026”; and25 (b) delete section 53. (2) In the Health Products Act 2007, in section 2(1), replace the definition of “veterinarian” with — “ “veterinarian” means an individual who is a duly qualified veterinarian within the meaning given by section 3 of the30 Veterinary Practice Act 2026;”.

(3) In the Medicines Act 1975, in section 2(1), replace the definition of “veterinary surgeon” with — “ “veterinary surgeon” means an individual who is a duly qualified veterinarian within the meaning given by section 3 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2026;”. 5 (4) In the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, in section 2, after the definition of “vessel”, insert — “ “veterinary surgeon” means an individual who is a duly qualified veterinarian within the meaning given by section 3 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2026;”. 10 (5) In the National Parks Board Act 1996, in section 6(1), replace paragraph (i) with — “(i) to regulate veterinary establishments; (ia) to regulate any person who, in the course of business, provides a service, in relation to an animal in the 15 control or possession of the person, for any of the following purposes: (i) assessing, recording, maintaining or improving the health, welfare, comfort or wellbeing of the animal; 20 (ii) examining or attending to the animal, including administering a veterinary product to the animal, but excluding the performance of any surgical procedure on the animal; (iii) performing any cosmetic procedure (other than 25 surgery) on the animal; (ib) to provide administrative, financial, technical and personnel support to the Veterinary Council in the performance of the functions and in the exercise of the powers of the Veterinary Council under the Veterinary 30 Practice Act 2026;”. (6) In the Poisons Act 1938, in section 2, replace the definition of “veterinary surgeon” with —

“ “veterinary surgeon” means an individual who is a duly qualified veterinarian within the meaning given by section 3 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2026.”.

Amendment of Veterinary Practice Act 2026

1. In the Veterinary Practice Act 2026 —5 (a) in section 4, delete subsection (5); and (b) in section 7(1), delete paragraph (k).

Saving and transitional provisions 90.—(1) If immediately before the date of commencement of

section 29 (called in this subsection the appointed day) —10 (a) an individual holds a full licence issued under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965; and (b) the licence is not suspended or revoked under section 62 of that Act, the individual is deemed, so far as not inconsistent with the provisions15 of this Act, to be a duly qualified veterinarian with full registration on and after the appointed day until the earliest of the following: (c) the date immediately after the end of 12 months (or, if a longer period is prescribed under subsection (3), the longer period) after the appointed day;20 (d) the date on which the Council grants a practising certificate to the individual under section 23, after registering the individual as a veterinarian with full registration or veterinarian with restricted registration (as the case may be) under this Act;25 (e) the date that the individual’s application for registration is finally refused under section 21 or is withdrawn; (f) the date that the individual’s application for a practising certificate is finally refused under section 23 or is withdrawn.30 (2) If immediately before the date of commencement of section 29 (called in this subsection the appointed day) —

(a) an individual holds a restricted licence issued under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965; and (b) the licence is not suspended or revoked under section 62 of that Act, the individual is deemed, so far as not inconsistent with the provisions 5 of this Act, to be a duly qualified veterinarian with restricted registration on and after the appointed day until the earliest of the

(c) the date immediately after the end of 12 months (or, if a longer period is prescribed under subsection (3), the longer 10 period) after the appointed day; (d) the date on which the Council grants a practising certificate to the individual under section 23, after registering the individual as a veterinarian with full registration or veterinarian with restricted registration (as the case may 15 be) under this Act; (e) the date that the individual’s application for registration is finally refused under section 21 or is withdrawn; (f) the date that the individual’s application for a practising certificate is finally refused under section 23 or is 20 withdrawn. (3) The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe the longer period mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (2)(c). (4) In this section — “full licence” means a licence, issued to an individual under 25 section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965, that is not a restricted licence; “restricted licence” means a licence, issued to an individual under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965, that authorises the individual to treat, vaccinate or inoculate 30 animals only — (a) at a place of practice specified in the licence; and

(b) under the supervision of another individual who holds a licence issued under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965. (5) A reference in subsection (1)(e) or (f) or (2)(e) or (f) to the date of final refusal of an application under section 21 or 23 is a reference5 to — (a) if an appeal is made to the Minister under section 21(8) or 23(11) (as the case may be) against the Council’s refusal of the application — the date of the Minister’s dismissal of the appeal; or10 (b) in any other case — the date of the Council’s refusal of the application under section 21(6) or 23(7), as the case may be. (6) For a period of 2 years after the commencement of any provision of this Act, the Minister may, by regulations, prescribe15 additional provisions of a saving or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of that provision that the Minister may consider necessary or expedient.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This Bill seeks to establish a new legislative framework for the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine in Singapore. The main purposes of the Bill are — (a) to establish the Veterinary Council (the Council) as the regulatory body responsible for the registration and regulation of veterinarians; (b) to provide for different classes of registration of veterinarians and the grant and renewal of practising certificates; (c) to regulate the professional practice, competence, conduct and ethics of individuals practising veterinary medicine and to establish a disciplinary framework to investigate complaints against and impose sanctions on veterinarians; and (d) to make consequential amendments to certain other Acts. Part 1 introduces the fundamental concepts and expressions used in the Bill.

Part 2 establishes the Council, defines its composition, sets out its functions and provides for related matters. Part 3 provides for the registration of veterinarians and specialists, the maintenance of registers and the grant and renewal of practising certificates. Part 4 creates offences and disciplinary sanctions relating to unauthorised practice of veterinary medicine, false assumption of titles, etc. The offences created under this Part attract a maximum fine of $50,000 or a maximum imprisonment term of 12 months, or both. Part 5 establishes a disciplinary framework, detailing the processes for bringing a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian, the powers and duties of the various disciplinary bodies, and the sanctions that may be imposed, and also provides for the cancellation, etc., of a veterinarian’s registration on the request of a veterinarian. Part 6 contains miscellaneous provisions including those concerning investigation powers, protection from personal liability, the composition of offences and the power to make regulations, and also consequential amendments to other Acts and saving and transitional provisions. Clause 1 relates to the short title and commencement.

PART 1

Clause 2 defines various expressions used in the Bill. These include the expression “practice of veterinary medicine” which sets out the range of professional activities regulated by the Bill. The term “layperson” is defined to mean an individual who is not a veterinarian, and includes other professionals such as legal professionals. The term “complainant” is defined to mean the person who brings a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian under Part 5 and includes the Council (if the Council is the person who brought the disciplinary case). Clause 3 defines the term “duly qualified veterinarian” for the purposes of the Bill and any other written law that contains the term. This term means a registered veterinarian who holds a valid practising certificate. A registered veterinarian whose registration or practising certificate is suspended is not a duly qualified veterinarian during the period of suspension.

PART 2

Clause 4 establishes a body called the Veterinary Council. The members of the Council must be appointed by the Minister.

The Minister may appoint one or more of the following individuals to the Council: (a) the Director‑General, Animal Health and Welfare appointed under the Animals and Birds Act 1965 or a representative nominated by the Director‑General, Animal Health and Welfare; (b) the president of the Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA) or a representative nominated by SVA’s president; (c) the Registrar of the Council. In addition, the Minister must appoint to the Council — (a) at least 4 veterinarians with full registration (at least one of these 4 individuals must have at least 10 years’ experience as a veterinarian); and (b) at least 2 laypersons. The clause also provides for the Council members’ term of office and their eligibility for re‑appointment. Clause 5 sets out the functions of the Council (and powers to carry out the functions). These functions include — (a) the registration of individuals as registered veterinarians (including specialists) and renewal of the registration of specialists; (b) the granting and renewal of practising certificates for registered veterinarians; (c) the conduct, approval, recognition or accreditation of relevant courses and programmes, etc.; (d) the determination and regulation of the standards of practice, competence, conduct and ethics of registered veterinarians; and (e) the appointment of various committees, and the coordination and supervision of the activities of committees appointed under clause 13. Clause 6 provides for the Minister to appoint one of the members of the Council as the president of the Council (president). Clause 7 sets out the grounds for disqualification from membership of the Council. These grounds include not being a citizen of Singapore or permanent resident of Singapore (subject to a waiver by the Minister), being an undischarged bankrupt, having been convicted of an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude, or having been found guilty of professional misconduct. Clause 8 provides for the Minister’s power to remove a member of the Council from office at any time and without giving any reason.

Clause 9 deals with resignation from office by a member of the Council. Clause 10 specifies the circumstances under which the office of a member of the Council becomes vacant (i.e., death, resignation, disqualification, or removal from office). The clause also provides for the filling of such vacancies. Clause 11 preserves the validity of an act or a decision of the Council, or an act of an individual member of the Council, despite there being any irregularity or other issue affecting the act or decision, in certain situations. Clause 12 provides for the meetings and proceedings of the Council, including the quorum for meetings, voting rights, the role of the presiding member at Council meetings, and the keeping of minutes. The clause also provides for the payment of remuneration to members of the Council as the Minister may determine. Clause 13 empowers the Council to appoint one or more committees for any general or special purpose and to delegate its powers and functions to such committees. A committee may include individuals who are not members of the Council. The clause specifies that certain powers, such as the power of delegation itself, cannot be delegated by the Council.

PART 3

Clause 14 provides for the Minister to appoint a public officer or an officer or employee of a public authority as the Registrar of the Council (Registrar). The clause also provides for the appointment of Deputy Registrars and the delegation of the Registrar’s powers and functions to Deputy Registrars. Clause 15 requires the Registrar to keep and maintain 3 separate registers: the Register of Veterinarians with Full Registration, the Register of Veterinarians with Restricted Registration, and the Register of Specialists. The clause specifies the particulars to be entered in the registers, such as the registered veterinarian’s name, address, primary place of practice and qualifications. It also imposes a duty on registered veterinarians to notify the Registrar of any change in certain particulars. Clause 16 sets out the Registrar’s powers and duties to keep the registers updated and accurate. Clause 17 provides for the full registration of veterinarians. An individual may be granted registration as a veterinarian with full registration if he or she holds a prescribed qualification conferred by a prescribed university (whether in Singapore or outside Singapore). An individual who holds another qualification, which is not prescribed but is, in the Council’s opinion, not lower in standing than a prescribed qualification may also be registered as a veterinarian

with full registration if he or she has the necessary knowledge, skill and experience. Under clause 17(3), for the purpose of satisfying itself that an individual’s qualification is not lower in standing than a prescribed qualification, the Council may require the individual to undergo and pass an examination conducted or arranged by the Council or any person recognised by the Council, such as an accreditation body. The Council may impose conditions on any full registration. If the Council is of the opinion that it is not in the public interest for an individual to be registered as a veterinarian with full registration, the Council may register the individual as a veterinarian with restricted registration under clause 17(6), or refuse registration under clause 21(6). Clause 18 provides for the registration of veterinarians with restricted registration. This category of registration is intended for an individual who does not hold a qualification mentioned in clause 17(1) or (2)(a), but who satisfies the Council that he or she has the necessary training, knowledge, skills and experience, and has been selected for employment in an establishment recognised by the Council. Under clause 18(2), for the purpose of satisfying itself that an individual’s qualification has provided adequate training, the Council may require the individual to undergo and pass an examination conducted or arranged by the Council or any person recognised by the Council, such as an accreditation body. The Council may impose conditions or restrictions on any restricted registration. Clause 19 provides for the registration of specialists. A registered veterinarian with full registration may be registered as a specialist in a particular branch of veterinary medicine if he or she holds an approved postgraduate degree or qualification or has acquired the requisite special knowledge of, and skill and experience in, that branch of veterinary medicine. Clause 20 empowers the Council to amend, vary or revoke any condition of any full registration or specialist registration that the Council has imposed, etc., or any condition of or restriction on any restricted registration that the Council has imposed, etc. The clause also empowers the Council to impose new or additional conditions on any full registration or specialist registration, or new or additional conditions or restrictions on any restricted registration, at any time after an individual has been registered. Clause 21 sets out the application process for registration. The clause empowers the Council to require an applicant to undergo a medical examination to determine his or her fitness to practise veterinary medicine. It also specifies the grounds on which the Council may refuse to register an applicant. A person dissatisfied with the Council’s refusal may appeal to the Minister. Clause 22 requires the Council to issue a certificate of registration to an individual upon successful registration.

Clause 23 sets out the application process for a practising certificate or its renewal. A registered veterinarian is not eligible for the grant or renewal of a practising certificate, or to continue to hold a practising certificate, if the registered veterinarian does not satisfy certain criteria (such as prescribed continuing professional education requirements). An individual dissatisfied with a refusal to grant or renew a practising certificate, or a cancellation of a practising certificate, may appeal to the Minister. A practising certificate is valid for a period determined by the Council (which must not exceed a period prescribed by the Minister), and is renewable. A practising certificate granted to an individual is immediately cancelled if the individual’s registration as a veterinarian with full or restricted registration is cancelled or suspended. Clause 24 requires the Registrar to publish on the Council’s website or another accessible medium certain details about duly qualified veterinarians, for the information of the public. Clause 25 permits a registered veterinarian to use only qualifications entered in the appropriate register, and to use only approved titles, additions or designations, for the practice of veterinary medicine. Any contravention of the clause may subject the registered veterinarian to disciplinary proceedings. Clause 26 empowers the Council or Registrar to cancel the registration of an individual in certain circumstances. The clause provides that the affected individual must be given an opportunity to submit reasons against the intended cancellation and a right of appeal to the Minister against the Council’s or Registrar’s decision, as the case may be. If the Council or Registrar cancels the registration of an individual under this clause on certain grounds, the Council or Registrar (as the case may be) may specify terms that the individual must comply with for the purpose of restoration of the individual’s registration under clause 27. Clause 27 provides that an individual who has had his or her registration cancelled on certain grounds under clause 26 may have his or her registration restored to the register either on the individual’s application or on the Council’s own motion. In the case of an individual whose registration as a veterinarian with full registration was cancelled, the Council may, instead of restoring the individual’s registration, register the individual with restricted registration. Clause 28 provides that a certificate of the Registrar regarding certain matters, for example, whether an individual is registered or has a valid practising certificate, is sufficient evidence of those matters in the absence of any proof to the contrary.

PART 4

Clause 29 creates the offence of practising veterinary medicine without being a duly qualified veterinarian. The clause exempts the following acts from this prohibition, subject to certain conditions or requirements: (a) acts (excluding any act prescribed in regulations made under clause 87) done by veterinary students in the course of their training and under the supervision of a duly qualified veterinarian; (b) the inoculation of animals with veterinary biologics by authorised officers and certain licensees authorised under the Animals and Birds Act 1965; (c) the keeping or use of animals for scientific purposes in any premises, that is authorised by a licence issued under the Animals and Birds Act 1965 and carried out in accordance with that Act and the conditions of that licence; (d) acts (excluding certain acts, such as an act prescribed in regulations made under clause 87) done by any individual (excluding a veterinarian whose registration or practising certificate is suspended), if the act is done in accordance with any prescribed condition and under the supervision of a duly qualified veterinarian. Exception (d) is aimed at individuals such as veterinary nurses, students undergoing training as veterinary nurses and farmers carrying out basic veterinary procedures on farm animals. Clause 30 creates other offences by an individual who is not a duly qualified veterinarian, such as pretending to be a duly qualified veterinarian, practising veterinary medicine under the name or title of a veterinarian, etc. It is, however, not an offence for a veterinary student to take or use any title, etc., that implies that the student is qualified to practice veterinary medicine if this is done in the course of the student’s training to become a veterinarian and under the supervision of a duly qualified veterinarian. If an offence under clause 30(1) is committed by an employee, agent or partner (the offender), the offender’s employer, principal or partner (as the case may be) is also guilty of an offence. Clause 31 makes it an offence for an individual (A) to cause or permit another person to make a false representation about A which would be an offence under clause 30 if A had made that representation himself or herself. Clause 32 makes it an offence for a person to make a representation about an individual (B) which would be an offence under clause 30 if B had made that representation himself or herself.

Clause 33 makes it an offence for a registered veterinarian to knowingly enable another individual to assume a title in contravention of clause 30. Clause 34 prohibits a registered veterinarian who is not registered as a specialist (or whose registration as a specialist has been suspended) from practising as a specialist, etc. The clause also prohibits the registered veterinarian from causing or permitting another person to make any representation in contravention of that prohibition. A registered veterinarian who contravenes this clause may face disciplinary proceedings. Clause 35 prohibits a registered veterinarian from making a representation of another registered veterinarian in contravention of clause 34(1). A registered veterinarian who contravenes clause 35 may face disciplinary proceedings. Clause 36 creates several offences for acts such as procuring registration using false information, forging a certificate of registration or practising certificate or buying or selling a certificate of registration or practising certificate.

PART 5

Part 5 contains Divisions 1 to 9. Division 1 (comprising clauses 37 and 38) introduces a mechanism for constructive remedial action that enables the Council to resolve certain matters by agreement between the Council and the registered veterinarian concerned without the need to resort to formal disciplinary proceedings against the registered

Clause 37 provides a voluntary mechanism for a registered veterinarian who believes his or her fitness to practise veterinary medicine is impaired, or that the quality of his or her professional services is below the standard that is expected of a veterinarian, to request the Council to take certain actions under clause 38. Clause 38 specifies the actions that the Council may take if a registered veterinarian makes a request under clause 37, or if the Council makes a decision under clause 46 (on a disciplinary case against the registered veterinarian) to proceed under clause 38 (with the written agreement of the registered veterinarian). These actions are cancelling or suspending the registered veterinarian’s registration, converting a full registration to a restricted registration or imposing new conditions, etc., on the registered veterinarian’s registration, or suspending or cancelling the registered veterinarian’s practising certificate. The Council can only take any such action with the registered veterinarian’s written agreement.

However, the Council must not take any such action if — (a) there is evidence — (i) for the making of a complaint relating to the registered veterinarian’s act or conduct mentioned in clause 40(3)(a); (ii) that the registered veterinarian has been convicted in or outside Singapore of an offence involving fraud, etc., or an offence implying a defect in character that makes the registered veterinarian unfit to practice veterinary medicine; or (iii) that an animal has died resulting from the registered veterinarian’s conduct; or (b) a disciplinary case is already pending against the registered veterinarian (except in the case where the Council makes a decision under clause 46 to proceed under clause 38). Division 2 (comprising clauses 39 to 46) provides for the bringing of a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian and related matters. Clause 39 provides for the appointment of a Complaints Panel. The Complaints Panel must be appointed by the Council and consist of registered veterinarians and laypersons who are not Council members. This Panel serves as the pool from which all members of Complaints Assessment Committees, and certain members of Disciplinary Committees and Interim Orders Committees, are to be drawn. Clause 40 provides that any person may bring a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian by making a complaint against or providing any information about the registered veterinarian to the Council. Clause 40(3) and (4) sets out the matters for which a disciplinary case may be brought against a

Clause 41 requires the Council to refer a disciplinary case brought against a registered veterinarian under clause 40 to the Registrar for review, subject to the

(a) if the disciplinary case relates to certain matters mentioned in clause 26, the Council or the Registrar (as the case may be) may cancel the registered veterinarian’s registration under that clause instead; (b) if the disciplinary case is brought after the limitation period mentioned in clause 42, the disciplinary case must be referred to the Registrar for a review only if a positive assessment of public interest is made under clause 43. The Council may also, on its own motion, bring a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian by making a complaint against or providing any

information (of any matter mentioned in clause 40(3) or (4), respectively) about the registered veterinarian to the Registrar for review. As mentioned in clause 12(2)(a), the bringing of a disciplinary case by the Council requires only a quorum of 2 members of the Council. A disciplinary case brought by the Council is subject to the same limitations mentioned in paragraph (b) above. Clause 42 states that the Council must not refer a disciplinary case to the Registrar under clause 41 if the limitation period mentioned in the clause has expired. Instead, the steps specified in clause 43 must be taken first for the

The limitation period mentioned in the clause is 3 years after the date of the impugned act, conduct or occurrence, or 3 years after the earliest date on which the complainant had actual or constructive knowledge of such act, conduct or occurrence, whichever is later. Clause 43 specifies the steps that must be taken if the limitation period mentioned in clause 42 has expired for a disciplinary case. If a member of the Council appointed under the clause assesses that it is in the public interest for the disciplinary case to be referred to the Registrar, the Council must refer the disciplinary case to the Registrar under clause 41(1) or (3) (as the case may be). Clause 44 provides that if a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian is referred to the Registrar under clause 41(1) or (3), the Registrar must review whether there is sufficient merit in the disciplinary case for disciplinary proceedings to be instituted against the registered veterinarian.

veterinarian, the Registrar may take into consideration any contravention or suspected contravention of the interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order when reviewing the disciplinary case. This is because clause 2 defines disciplinary case as including any contravention or suspected contravention of an interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order. Clause 45 requires the Registrar to report his or her findings and recommend to the Council on the action to be taken on the disciplinary case. Depending on the findings of the Registrar, the Registrar may recommend to the Council to dismiss the disciplinary case, refer the disciplinary case to a Complaints Assessment Committee or a Disciplinary Committee for an inquiry or a formal inquiry or for certain action to be taken against the registered veterinarian with the registered veterinarian’s agreement. Clause 46 provides that the Council may, after receiving the findings and recommendation of the Registrar under clause 45, take the action recommended by the Registrar or take any other action mentioned in clause 45 (if the requirements for taking that action are satisfied).

To ensure fairness in the process, the clause also excludes certain members of the Council from being involved in the Council’s decision on a disciplinary case under the clause. Division 3 (comprising clauses 47 to 51) deals with Complaints Assessment Committees. Clause 47 empowers the Council to appoint a Complaints Assessment Committee comprising members drawn from the members of the Complaints Panel. To ensure fairness in the process, the clause also excludes certain members of the Complaints Panel from being members of a Complaints Assessment Committee for a disciplinary case. Clause 48 empowers a Complaints Assessment Committee to, when inquiring into a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian, require a person to give evidence or produce documents, etc., and direct an investigator (appointed under clause 79) to investigate into, the disciplinary case.

veterinarian, the Complaints Assessment Committee may take into consideration any contravention or suspected contravention of the interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order when inquiring into the disciplinary case. This is because clause 2 defines disciplinary case as including any contravention or suspected contravention of an interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order. The Complaints Assessment Committee must complete its inquiry within 3 months after the date the disciplinary case is referred to it, unless time is extended by the Council. Clause 49 enables the Council to appoint an independent expert or an advocate and solicitor for the purposes of an inquiry before the Complaints Assessment Committee. Before doing so, the Council must give the registered veterinarian an opportunity to make representations on the proposed appointment. The Council may also allow the registered veterinarian to appoint his or her own independent expert at the registered veterinarian’s own expense. Clause 50 requires the Complaints Assessment Committee to report its findings to the Council after completing its inquiry and recommend to the Council the action to be taken on the disciplinary case. Clause 51 empowers the Council to take the action recommended by the Complaints Assessment Committee, take one or more other actions mentioned in clause 50 or refer the disciplinary case back to the Complaints Assessment Committee (or another one appointed in its place) for further inquiry. The Council, however, must not take certain actions mentioned in clause 50 against the registered veterinarian unless the Complaints Assessment Committee has given the registered veterinarian an opportunity to make representations.

To ensure fairness in the process, the clause also excludes certain members of the Council from being involved in the Council’s decision on a disciplinary case under the clause and clause 52. If the complainant or registered veterinarian is dissatisfied with certain decisions of the Council under the clause, the complainant or registered veterinarian (as the case may be) may appeal to the Minister whose decision is final. Division 4 (comprising clause 52) deals with a disciplinary case that is referred for mediation by the Council under clause 51. Clause 52 provides that if a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian is referred for mediation under clause 51, the Council may direct the complainant and registered veterinarian to personally attend mediation before a mediator specified by the Council. A disciplinary case may be referred for mediation only if the Council is not the complainant. Clause 52 also provides for the powers of the Council to make certain decisions on the disciplinary case if the mediation does not take place, or the disciplinary case is amicably resolved or not amicably resolved through mediation. Division 5 (comprising clauses 53 to 62) deals with Disciplinary Committees. Clause 53 empowers the Council to appoint a Disciplinary Committee comprising members drawn from the members of the Council and Complaints Panel. The Council must also appoint a member (who is a layperson) of the Complaints Panel to be the observer of the proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee. To ensure fairness in the process, the clause also excludes certain members of the Complaints Panel and certain members of the Council from being members of a Disciplinary Committee for a disciplinary case. Clause 54 sets out the powers and procedures of a Disciplinary Committee conducting a formal inquiry into a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian. Among others, the clause empowers the Disciplinary Committee to require a person to give evidence or produce documents, etc., and direct an investigator (appointed under clause 79) to investigate into the disciplinary case. The Disciplinary Committee must complete its formal inquiry into the disciplinary case within 6 months after the date on which the disciplinary case is referred to it, unless time is extended by the Council. Clause 55 enables the Council to appoint an independent expert or an advocate and solicitor for the purposes of a formal inquiry before a Disciplinary Committee. Before doing so, the Council must give the registered veterinarian an opportunity to make representations on the proposed appointment. The Council may also

allow the registered veterinarian to appoint his or her own independent expert at the registered veterinarian’s own expense. Clause 56 provides for the orders that the Disciplinary Committee may make if the Disciplinary Committee makes findings against the registered veterinarian. These orders include the cancellation or suspension of the registered veterinarian’s registration, censure of the registered veterinarian and imposition of a penalty not exceeding $50,000. The Disciplinary Committee may also order the registered veterinarian to pay the costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceedings to the Council.

veterinarian, the Disciplinary Committee may take into consideration any contravention or suspected contravention of the interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order when conducting the formal inquiry into the disciplinary case. This is because clause 2 defines disciplinary case as including any contravention or suspected contravention of an interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order. Clause 57 sets out the further orders that the Disciplinary Committee may make. These further orders include the suspension or cancellation of the veterinarian’s registration if the registered veterinarian has failed to comply with the conditions or restrictions earlier imposed by a Disciplinary Committee or an Interim Orders Committee. The Disciplinary Committee may also order that an order suspending or cancelling the registration of the registered veterinarian takes immediate effect (instead of the period specified in clause 60(1)), if the Disciplinary Committee is satisfied that it is necessary for the protection of members of the public or otherwise in the public interest, or in the interests of animal health or welfare or of the registered veterinarian. If such an order is made, the order also has effect despite any appeal against the suspension or cancellation under clause 62. Clause 58 provides that the registered veterinarian concerned must be given an opportunity to be heard during a formal inquiry. In addition, before the Disciplinary Committee makes a further order under clause 57 (except an order made during the formal inquiry), the Disciplinary Committee must give the

Clause 59 requires the Registrar to serve on the registered veterinarian and the complainant a notice of any order made by the Disciplinary Committee under clause 56 or 57. Clause 60 provides that a Disciplinary Committee’s order for suspending or cancelling a registration takes effect on the 31st day after the order is made, subject to certain exceptions. Any other order of a Disciplinary Committee takes effect on the date the order is made, subject to certain exceptions.

Clause 61 clarifies that a registered veterinarian whose registration is suspended remains subject to clauses 40 to 75. Clause 62 provides that a registered veterinarian, a complainant or the Council (if the Council is not the complainant) may appeal to the General Division of the High Court against a decision of or an order by a Disciplinary Committee. Subject to certain exceptions, a decision of or an order by the Disciplinary Committee that is appealed against by the registered veterinarian is stayed until after the appeal is completed or withdrawn. Division 6 (comprising clauses 63 to 72) deals with Interim Orders Committees. Clause 63 empowers the Council to appoint an Interim Orders Committee comprising members drawn from the members of the Council and the Complaints Panel. To ensure fairness in the process, the clause also excludes certain members of the Complaints Panel and certain members of the Council from being members of an Interim Orders Committee for a disciplinary case. The Council may, on the recommendation of the Registrar, a Complaints Assessment Committee or a Disciplinary Committee, or on its own motion, refer a disciplinary case to an Interim Orders Committee to determine whether an interim order should be made. Clause 64 sets out the powers and procedures of an Interim Orders Committee for the purposes of an inquiry into a disciplinary case or a review of an interim order. The clause empowers the Interim Orders Committee to require a person to give evidence or produce documents, etc., and direct an investigator (appointed under clause 79) to investigate into the disciplinary case. Clause 65 enables the Council to appoint an independent expert or an advocate and solicitor for the purposes of an inquiry or review by an Interim Orders Committee. Before doing so, the Council must give the registered veterinarian an opportunity to make representations on the proposed appointment. The Council may also allow the registered veterinarian to appoint his or her own independent expert at the registered veterinarian’s own expense. Clause 66 sets out the types of interim orders that the Interim Orders Committee may make after inquiry into a disciplinary case, namely interim suspension orders and interim restriction orders. An interim suspension order suspends the registered veterinarian’s registration, and an interim restriction order imposes conditions or restrictions on the registration. An interim order must not exceed 18 months. Clause 67 requires interim orders to be periodically reviewed by the Interim Orders Committee that made the interim order or another Interim Orders Committee appointed in its place.

Clause 68 provides that an Interim Orders Committee may, following a review under clause 67 or on the recommendation of the Registrar, the Council, or a Complaints Assessment Committee or Disciplinary Committee, revoke or replace an interim order, or revoke, amend or vary any condition or restriction imposed by the interim order or impose a new condition or restriction. If the registered veterinarian has contravened an interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order, the Interim Orders Committee must extend the interim suspension order until the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings. Clause 69 requires an Interim Orders Committee to give the registered veterinarian concerned an opportunity to be heard on whether an order should be made under clause 66(2). In addition, before the Interim Orders Committee makes a further order under clause 68, the Interim Orders Committee must give the

Clause 70 provides that the Council may apply to the General Division of the High Court to extend the period for which an interim order has effect. The clause also enables a registered veterinarian to apply to the General Division of the High Court to revoke an interim order, amend, vary or revoke any condition or restriction imposed by the interim order, or substitute the period specified in the interim order. Clause 71 provides for the duration that an interim order has effect. Specifically, an interim order ceases to be in force — (a) at the end of the period specified in the order or any extension or substitution of the order; (b) when the disciplinary proceedings under Part 5 are concluded; (c) 3 months after the disciplinary case is withdrawn (if the Council does not continue the disciplinary proceedings under clause 75); or (d) when the order is revoked by an Interim Orders Committee or by the General Division of the High Court, whichever is the earliest. The clause also sets out the events which mark the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings. Clause 72 clarifies that a registered veterinarian whose registration is suspended under an interim suspension order remains subject to clauses 40 to 75. Division 7 (comprising clauses 73 to 78) deals with investigations directed by a Complaints Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee or an Interim Orders Committee. Clause 73 provides for the conduct of an investigation directed by a Complaints Assessment Committee, a Disciplinary Committee or an Interim

Orders Committee (the relevant committee). If the relevant committee is of the opinion that the registered veterinarian should answer any allegation, the relevant committee must invite the registered veterinarian to give to the appointed investigator a written explanation containing all relevant information and documents. Clause 74 requires the investigator to submit a report to the relevant committee after completing his or her investigation. If, in the course of the investigation, the investigator receives information about the registered veterinarian unrelated to the disciplinary case, or information relating to another registered veterinarian, that may trigger disciplinary proceedings, the investigator must report this information to the Council. The clause also specifies the limited circumstances in which the contents of the investigation report or any information obtained during the investigation may be disclosed. Division 8 (comprising clause 75) deals with the withdrawal of a disciplinary case. Clause 75 provides that if a complainant (other than the Council) withdraws a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian, the Council may give certain directions for the continuance of the disciplinary proceedings, or take certain actions, against the registered veterinarian despite the withdrawal. The Council has to do this within 3 months after the withdrawal. Division 9 (comprising clauses 76, 77 and 78) deals with miscellaneous matters related to disciplinary proceedings under Part 5. Clause 76 empowers the Council to restore the registration of a veterinarian whose registration was cancelled with the agreement of the veterinarian or by an order made by a Disciplinary Committee. Clause 77 sets out the administrative provisions regarding meetings and proceedings of any Complaints Assessment Committee, Disciplinary Committee or Interim Orders Committee appointed under the Bill. Clause 78 provides that an officer or employee of the National Parks Board is not disqualified from being a member of any Complaints Assessment Committee, Disciplinary Committee or Interim Orders Committee, or an observer of any Disciplinary Committee, by reason only that he or she is such an officer or is so employed.

PART 6

Clause 79 empowers the Council to appoint a member of the Council, a public officer, an officer or employee of a public authority, a duly qualified veterinarian or an auxiliary police officer as an investigator to investigate the commission of an

offence under the Bill or to carry out an investigation directed under Part 5. The clause also provides for the individuals who must not be appointed as an investigator. The clause also provides for an investigator’s powers. Among other things, an investigator may enter and search premises or a conveyance (without a warrant), inspect documents, take extracts from or make copies of documents and inspect or examine any animal (whether living or dead). Investigators may also take samples from an animal (but only with the consent of the owner of the animal), take the animal into custody (but only with the consent of the owner of the animal), or conduct a post‑mortem examination on the body of a dead animal taken into custody (but only with the consent of the owner of the animal). The owner of an animal includes a person for the time being in charge of the animal. An investigator may also examine orally a person who appears to be acquainted with any relevant facts and circumstances and require a person to produce documents, etc. Clause 80 provides that the Council may appoint a legal assessor or medical assessor to advise or assist the Council or any committee appointed by the Council. Clause 81 confers immunity on the Registrar, any member of the Council, any person authorised, appointed or employed to assist the Council, any member of a committee appointed by the Council and any investigator in respect of powers exercised and functions performed under the Bill. Clause 82 provides that the Registrar, any member of the Council, any person authorised, appointed or employed to assist the Council, any member of a committee appointed by the Council and any investigator are taken to be public servants for the purposes of the Penal Code 1871 in relation to the performance of any function or duty of those persons under the Bill. Clause 83 empowers the Council to compound any offence under the Bill that is prescribed as a compoundable offence. The maximum composition sum that may be collected from a person reasonably suspected of having committed a compoundable offence under the Bill is one half of the amount of the maximum fine that is prescribed for the offence or $2,000, whichever is lower. Clause 84 provides for the service of documents permitted or required by the Bill to be served on a person. The clause does not deal with the service of court documents like summonses, as these are regulated by the Rules of Court or other written law. Clause 85 provides that a District Court or a Magistrate’s Court has jurisdiction to try any offence under the Bill and has the power to impose the full punishment for the offence.

Clause 86 empowers the Minister, after consulting the Council, to exempt, by order in the Gazette, any person or class of persons from all or any of the provisions of the Bill. Clause 87 empowers the Council, with the approval of the Minister, to make regulations necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the Bill and for the due administration of the Bill. Clause 88 makes consequential amendments to the Animals and Birds Act 1965, Health Products Act 2007, Medicines Act 1975, Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, National Parks Board Act 1996 and Poisons Act 1938 arising from the Bill. Clause 89 makes amendments to the Veterinary Practice Act 2026 to be brought into force when section 53 of the Animals and Birds Act 1965 is deleted under clause 88(1)(b). Clause 90 provides for saving and transitional provisions. An individual who holds a valid licence issued under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965 is deemed to be a duly qualified veterinarian until a certain date. This will allow the individual to continue to exercise his or her rights and privileges as a licensee under section 53(1) of the Animals and Birds Act 1965 in a similar capacity until his or her application for registration as a veterinarian or for a practising certificate (as the case may be) is processed.

EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC MONEY

This Bill will involve the Government in extra financial expenditure, the exact amount of which cannot at present be ascertained.