20. Amendment of section 48 of Act of 2001

Section 48 of the Act of 2001 is amended by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (3):

“(3A) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3), where it appears to the Commission that, due to the exigencies of the public health emergency, a tribunal cannot be appointed in accordance with those subsections, it may appoint a tribunal consisting of one member who shall be a practising barrister or solicitor who has had not less than 7 years’ experience as a practising barrister or solicitor ending immediately before such appointment.

(3B) Where subsection (3A) applies—

(a) subsection (4) shall not have effect, and

(b) the reference in subsection (8) to each member of the tribunal shall be construed as a reference to the member of the tribunal.”.