### Labour Relations Ordinance 《勞資關係條例》

17. Evidence
(1) For the purposes of an arbitration, an arbitration tribunal may require any person—
(a) to furnish, in writing or otherwise, such particulars in relation to such matters as it may specify;
(b) to attend before it and give evidence on oath or otherwise;
(c) to produce such documents as it may specify.
(2) A requirement of an arbitration tribunal under subsection (1) shall be enforceable in like manner as an order of the Court of First Instance. (Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2)
(3) For the purposes of an arbitration, an arbitration tribunal shall not be bound by the rules of evidence in civil or criminal proceedings.

18. Use of evidence in civil or criminal proceedings
Evidence given by a person in an arbitration shall not be admissible against him in any civil or criminal proceedings by or against him, except where he is charged with an offence under Part V (Perjury) of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200).

19. Award of an arbitration tribunal
(1) On an arbitration the arbitration tribunal shall make such award as it thinks fit. 
(2) Where under section 12(1) an arbitration tribunal consists of 3 arbitrators, an award may be made by any 2 arbitrators. 
(3) The arbitration tribunal shall submit the award to the Chief Executive in Council, who shall as soon as possible cause it to be published in such manner as he thinks fit. (Amended 56 of 2000 s. 3)

20. Remuneration of arbitrator
The Chief Executive may pay to an arbitrator such remuneration out of the general revenue of Hong Kong as he thinks fit.
(Amended 56 of 2000 s. 3)

21. Arbitration Ordinance not to apply
The Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609) shall not apply to any arbitration, or to any award made by an arbitration tribunal, under this Ordinance.
(Amended 17 of 2010 s. 112)

22. Board of inquiry
(1) Where under section 11 the Chief Executive in Council refers a trade dispute to a board of inquiry, he shall appoint a board of inquiry consisting of one or more members as he thinks fit.
(2) If a board of inquiry appointed under subsection (1) consists of two or more members, the Chief Executive in Council shall nominate a member to be the President of the board of inquiry.
(3) The Chief Executive in Council shall, when appointing a board of inquiry under subsection (1), specify the period within which the board of inquiry shall submit a report of its findings.
(Amended 56 of 2000 s. 3)

### Labour Relations Ordinance 《勞資關係條例》

23. Terms of reference and report of board of inquiry
(1) A board of inquiry shall inquire into the causes and circumstances of a trade dispute and shall submit a report of its findings to the Chief Executive in Council. (Amended 56 of 2000 s. 3)
(2) A board of inquiry may include in a report submitted under subsection (1) such recommendation as it thinks fit.
(3) A board of inquiry may, before submitting a report of its finding, submit such interim reports as it thinks fit.
(4) The Chief Executive in Council shall as soon as possible after the receipt of a report of a board of inquiry cause it to be published in such manner as he thinks fit. (Amended 56 of 2000 s. 3)

24. Hearing to be in public or in private
The proceedings of a board of inquiry may be held in public or in private as the board of inquiry thinks fit.

25. Place of hearing
A board of inquiry shall sit at such places and times as, having regard to the convenience of the parties and witnesses, it thinks fit.

26. Language of proceedings
The proceedings before a board of inquiry shall be conducted in the English or Chinese language as the board of inquiry thinks fit.

27. Right of audience
(1) Subject to subsection (3), the following persons shall have a right of audience before a board of inquiry—
(a) any party;
(b) an office bearer of a registered trade union or of an association of employers, if—
(i) the trade union or association is a party; or
(ii) members of the trade union or association are parties; and
(c) subject to subsection (2), any person (including a barrister or solicitor) representing a party.
(2) An office bearer of a registered trade union or of an association of employers shall not have a right of audience on behalf of a party under subsection (1)(c).
(3) A person referred to in subsection (1)(b) or (c) (other than a barrister or solicitor) shall have a right of audience on behalf of a party only if he is authorized in writing by the party to represent it.

### Labour Relations Ordinance 《勞資關係條例》

28. Evidence
(1) For the purposes of an inquiry, a board of inquiry may require any person—
(a) to furnish, in writing or otherwise, such particulars in relation to such matters as it may specify;
(b) to attend before it and give evidence on oath or otherwise;
(c) to produce such documents as it may specify.
(2) A requirement of a board of inquiry under subsection (1) shall be enforceable in like manner as an order of the Court of First Instance. (Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2)
(3) For the purposes of an inquiry, a board of inquiry shall not be bound by the rules of evidence in civil or criminal proceedings.

29. Use of evidence in civil or criminal proceedings
Evidence given by a person before a board of inquiry shall not be admissible against him in any civil or criminal proceedings by or against him, except where he is charged with an offence under Part V (Perjury) of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200).

30. Contempts to be offences
Any person who, at a hearing by a board of inquiry,—
(a) uses a threatening or insulting expression to or concerning or in the presence of the board of inquiry; or
(b) behaves in an insulting manner or wilfully interrupts the proceedings,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine at level 1 and to imprisonment for 3 months.
(Amended E.R. 1 of 2013)

31. Protection of members of board of inquiry, etc.
(1) No member of a board of inquiry shall be liable to any suit or other proceeding for any act or thing done by him bona fide as such member of the board of inquiry:

Provided that nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to limit the power of the Court of First Instance to make an order of mandamus, certiorari or prohibition in relation to proceedings before a board of inquiry. (Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2)
(2) All evidence given before a board of inquiry shall be absolutely privileged, and no person giving such evidence shall be liable to any suit or other civil proceeding in respect thereof.

32. Police and bailiffs to assist board of inquiry
Police officers and bailiffs of the court shall assist a board of inquiry, which is conducting an inquiry under this Part, in such matters as the board of inquiry may require and may do all such things as are necessary for the purpose of rendering such assistance.

33. Cost of inquiry
The cost of an inquiry conducted under this Part shall be a charge on the general revenue of Hong Kong.