After consideration of documents submitted and having regard to any statement made orally or in writing and to the results of any investigation undertaken, the Disciplinary Board shall, by majority vote, deliver a reasoned opinion as to whether the facts complained of are established and as to any penalty to which those facts should give rise. This opinion shall be signed by all the members of the Disciplinary Board. Each member may attach to the opinion a divergent view. The Disciplinary Board shall transmit the opinion to the AACC and to the staff member concerned within two months of the date of receipt of the report of the AACC, provided that this time limit is commensurate with the degree of complexity of the case. Where an investigation has been held at the Disciplinary Board's initiative, the time limit shall be four months, provided that this period is commensurate with the degree of complexity of the case.

Article 157

1. The Chairman of the Disciplinary Board shall not vote on matters before it, except as regards matters of procedure or where votes are tied.

2. The Chairman shall ensure that the decisions of the Disciplinary Board are implemented and shall bring all information and documents relating to the case to the attention of each of its members.

Article 158

The secretary shall draw up minutes of meetings of the Disciplinary Board. Witnesses shall sign the minutes recording their evidence.

Article 159

1. Expenses incurred on the initiative of a staff member concerned in the course of disciplinary proceedings, and in particular fees paid to a person chosen to assist the member of staff or for his defence, shall be borne by the staff member where the disciplinary proceedings result in the imposition of one of the penalties provided for in Article 147.

2. However, the AACC may decide otherwise in exceptional cases where the burden on the member of staff concerned would be unfair.

Article 160

1. After hearing the member of staff, the AACC shall take its decision as provided for in Articles 147 and 148 within two months of receipt of the opinion of the Disciplinary Board. Reasons must be given for the decision.

2. If the AACC decides to close the case without imposing any disciplinary penalty, it shall so inform the staff member concerned in writing without delay. The staff member concerned may request that this decision be inserted in his personal file.

Section F

Suspension

Article 161

1. If the AACC accuses a staff member of serious misconduct, whether through a failure to honour his professional obligations or through an infringement of the law, it may immediately suspend the person accused of that misconduct for a specified or indefinite period.

2. The AACC shall take this decision after hearing the staff member concerned, save in exceptional circumstances.