49Hearings

1. A hearing must be run in the manner of an inquiry, and in an atmosphere that encourages persons appearing before the Board to speak for themselves, and as freely and frankly as possible.

2. Within that context, the Board may conduct the hearing as it thinks appropriate and, subject to this section, has the following powers:

3. to determine who may attend:
4. to determine who may speak:
5. to impose limits on what a person may talk about and for how long:
6. to require any person to leave the hearing, either temporarily or for the remainder of the hearing:
7. to adjourn the hearing.

8. The offender who is being considered is entitled to—

9. appear and make oral submissions to the Board; and
10. attend while any other person is making submissions, provided that the offender may not be present at the hearing when any victim is present unless the victim, the offender, and the Board agree; and
11. with the leave of the Board, be represented by counsel; and
12. be accompanied by 1 or more support persons (subject to any limitation on numbers imposed by the Board) who may, with leave of the Board, speak in support of the offender.

13. Every victim of the offender is entitled to—

14. appear and make oral submissions to the Board for the purpose of assisting the Board to reach a decision; and
15. with the leave of the Board, be represented by counsel; and
16. be accompanied by 1 or more support persons (subject to any limitation on numbers imposed by the Board), who may, with the leave of the Board,—
    1. speak in support of the victim; and
    2. with the permission of the victim, speak on behalf of the victim.