### Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance 《獸醫註冊條例》

15. Removal of name from the register
(1) The Secretary may remove the name of a registered veterinary surgeon from the register if he is satisfied that the registered veterinary surgeon has—
(a) died;
(b) applied to discontinue his registration;
(c) for 6 months following the expiry of his current practising certificate under section 12(2) or (3), failed to apply for a practising certificate to be issued to him under section 12(1);
(d) ceased to hold a qualification by virtue of which he was registered;
(e) failed to notify a change of details required under section 8(3); or
(f) left Hong Kong with the intention of being out of Hong Kong for a period exceeding 6 months and did not, before leaving, notify the Secretary in writing of his intended departure.
(2) Subject to section 21(2), the Secretary shall remove a name from the register if he receives an order of the Court of Appeal or an inquiry committee directing that the name be removed from the register.
(3) Where the Secretary intends to remove the name of a registered veterinary surgeon from the register under subsection (1)(c), 

16. Prohibition on practising when not registered or not in possession of a valid practising certificate
(1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall practise veterinary surgery or provide a veterinary service in Hong Kong unless—
(a) he is registered under this Part; and
(b) he is the holder of a practising certificate which is currently in force.
(2) Where a person whom the Board is satisfied is qualified to practise veterinary surgery in another jurisdiction applies for the right to practise in Hong Kong temporarily and for a specific purpose, the Board may issue him a permit to practise for a period and for a purpose specified in the permit, subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified by the Board.

### Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance 《獸醫註冊條例》

17. Disciplinary offences
(1) A registered veterinary surgeon commits a disciplinary offence if he—
(a) is guilty of misconduct or neglect in any professional respect;
(b) has been convicted of an offence under this Ordinance;
(c) has obtained registration under this Ordinance by fraud or misrepresentation;
(d) was not at the time of his registration under this Ordinance entitled to be registered;
(e) without reasonable excuse, fails to attend before an inquiry committee when summoned either as a witness or as a person in respect of whom the inquiry committee is meeting; or
(f) has been convicted in Hong Kong or elsewhere of an offence which may bring the profession into disrepute.
(2) If a person who has been guilty of misconduct or neglect in a professional respect or has been convicted of an offence under this Ordinance or has been convicted in Hong Kong or elsewhere of an offence which may bring the profession into disrepute, informs the Board of such misconduct, neglect or conviction when he applies for registration or renewal of registration and the Board subsequently accepts the person for registration or renewal of registration, that person shall not, for the purposes of registration or renewal of registration, be considered as having committed a disciplinary offence in respect of the disclosed misconduct, neglect or conviction.
(3)-(4) (Repealed 6 of 2015 s. 10)

17A. Establishment and membership of panel of assessors
(1) The Board is to establish a panel of assessors from whom members of a preliminary investigation committee or inquiry committee may be appointed.
(2) The panel is to consist of the following persons to be appointed by the Board to the panel on the nomination of the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation—
(a) not more than 12 registered veterinary surgeons;
(b) not more than 6 other persons.
(3) If one or more than one person is appointed under subsection (2)(b)—
(a) the person or at least one of the persons must be a medical and health professional; and
(b) the other person or each of the other persons (if any) must either be a lay person who, in the opinion of the Board, represents the interests of persons utilizing veterinary services or a medical and health professional.
(4) A member of the Board is not eligible to be appointed to the panel.
(5) As soon as practicable after the appointment of an assessor, the Secretary is to arrange to be notified in the Gazette—
(a) the appointment;
(b) the term of office of the assessor; and
(c) the commencement date of the term.
(Added 6 of 2015 s. 11)

### Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance 《獸醫註冊條例》

17B. Term of office of assessors
(1) A person may be appointed to the panel of assessors for a term not exceeding 3 years.
(2) If the office of an assessor becomes vacant under section 2E(3) of Schedule 1 before the term of office expires, the Board may appoint, on the nomination of the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, a person who is of the same category under section 17A(2) or (3) as that assessor to hold that office for the unexpired term.
(Added 6 of 2015 s. 11)

17C. Establishment of preliminary investigation committee
(1) The Board may establish a preliminary investigation committee to consider whether a complaint alleging a disciplinary offence should be referred to an inquiry committee.
(2) A preliminary investigation committee is to consist of the following persons appointed by the Board—
(a) 3 members of the Board, of whom—
(i) 2 members must be registered veterinary surgeons; and
(ii) 1 member must either be a lay person who, in the opinion of the Board, represents the interests of persons utilizing veterinary services or a medical and health professional; or
(b) 2 members of the Board and 1 assessor, of whom—
(i) 2 persons must be registered veterinary surgeons; and
(ii) 1 person must either be a lay person who, in the opinion of the Board, represents the interests of persons utilizing veterinary services or a medical and health professional.
(Added 6 of 2015 s. 11)

17D. Referral of complaints by preliminary investigation committees
(1) On receipt of a complaint alleging a disciplinary offence, the Secretary must submit the complaint to a preliminary investigation committee.
(2) The committee may request one or more of the following persons to provide information to facilitate the committee’s consideration of the complaint—
(a) the complainant;
(b) the registered veterinary surgeon being complained of (subject person

17E. Complaints referred to the Board under section 17D(5)
(1) If a complaint is referred to the Board under section 17D(5), it may decide whether or not to refer the complaint to an inquiry committee.
(2) If the Board refers the complaint to an inquiry committee, the Secretary must, as soon as practicable, send to the registered veterinary surgeon being complained of (subject person