Code of ethics
LITHUANIAN ASSOCIATION FOR ANALYTICAL PSYCHOLOGY
PREAMBLE
This Code governs full members, honorary members and candidate members (hereinafter - members) of the Lithuanian Association of Analytical Psychology (LAAP). The purpose of this Code is to maintain highest standards of ethical conduct for members: in their professional work; in relationship with colleagues and candidates; in public statements.
This Code consists of: first, the ethical principles which LAAP requires its members to uphold; and second, the rules of procedure by which LAAP will process any complaint alleging that a member has violated those principles.
The Ethics Code is intended to be just and constructive. No procedural action will be taken without due regard for the rights of all parties involved. The ethical principles and rules of procedure articulated herein are based upon the premise that the welfare of the patient, the integrity of the member, and the safety of the community should be the primary determinants of a member’s behavior.
Members of LAAP agreed upon the following Ethical Code in the meeting of LAAP of 2 October 2015. It is mandatory that all members and other relevant persons, such as candidates, colleagues and administrators providing services for LAAP be acquainted with the most recent version of the Code. This Code shall be made available to anyone on request.
Breaching any of these ethical rules of the LAAP may give rise to a complaint under the LAAP Complaints Procedure Code. This, in cases of serious breaches, may lead in suspension or expulsion from any form of membership in the LAAP.
Also this code is not to be taken as creating any kind of legal liability, civil or criminal.
I. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBER
A member shall respect the integrity of his/her patient under any circumstance, unless evident significant risks to the patient demand some intervention contrary to the patient’s approval.
A) At the start of the treatment the member shall state clearly to the patient the terms and conditions of the treatment, e.g. times, frequency of sessions, and fee arrangements. The member shall ensure that these terms and conditions are maintained.
B) Financial dealings shall be restricted to matters concerning professional fees.
C) During treatment, restraint should be exercised with regard to social contacts with a patient. After treatment one should also keep in mind the possible continuation of transference feelings and use discretion in any social contacts.
D) A member should not enter into a sexual relationship with any patient nor take any sort of personal advantages that transgress the analytical boundaries (or frame). Terminating a therapeutic relationship in order to have a sexual relationship is also unethical.
E) A member should not use physical violence against a patient. The use of physical constraint may be made when the patient is physically dangerous and may have to be restrained.
F) A member shall not claim to possess qualifications which he or she does not possess.
G) A member shall not continue to practice when seriously or persistently impaired (1) by the use of alcohol or other substances, or (2) by a physical or psychological illness or any severe stress that would impair one's ability to practice and exercise adequate skill and judgment.
I) Members shall use the initial sessions to explore the presenting problem and determine whether analytic treatment can be of help. They are cautious in their initial prognosis and shall not exaggerate the efficacy of their service.
J) Because analysis is first and foremost for the benefit of the patient, members shall be extremely careful not to use their professional relationships to give or receive other personal gain or services to further their business, political or religious interests, nor shall they encourage patients to engage in activities in order to profit professional groups or organizations.
K) Members shall terminate an analytic relationship when it is reasonably clear that the patient is not benefitting from it. At an appropriate time the member shall initiate a discussion with the patient about the termination of the relationship and attempt to secure a mutual agreement with the patient. A member shall not cease treatment without giving the patient adequate notice to locate an alternative. Where appropriate, the member shall offer to help the patient locate alternative sources of assistance.
L) If an analyst is convicted of a criminal offence, or has been found to have engaged in unethical professional behavior by a professional body or licensing agency in the state or country in which he/she resides, it is his/her duty to inform the President of the IAAP of the legal, professional or licensing decision, together with the relevant facts.
II. CONFIDENTIALITY
A) Confidentiality and the preservation of a patient's anonymity are of primary importance. Particular care must be taken in the publication of clinical material and the presentation of clinical material at clinical seminars. If a patient requests that his/her material should not be published or presented, this shall be respected. Discretion should also be exercised when professional consultation is utilized. Exceptions may have to be made when a lawsuit is threatened or when the law requires a breach of confidentiality, as in the case of child abuse, requirement to warn of danger to others, or by court order.
B) Social contact with a patient's relatives should be approached with great caution and should occur only with the knowledge and consent of the patient. Exceptions may be made in certain circumstances, such as when a patient is a danger to himself/herself or others, in the treatment of children, or when the agreed upon treatment plan includes appointments with family or others for therapeutic or counseling purposes.
C) Members should refrain from presenting case material of recognizable patients (e.g. LAAP members or public figures) in training seminars and professional meetings. This material should be confined to consultations with colleagues or supervisors and the identity of the patient should be guarded carefully.
D) Members who present personal information obtained during the course of their professional activities, in writings, lectures or other public forums must obtain prior consent from the patient and must disguise all identifying information.
E) Members shall make provisions for maintaining confidentiality in the storage and disposal of records. A member may release confidential information only with the written authorization of the patient or under legal compulsion.
III. RELATIONSHIPS WITH COLLEAGUES AND CANDIDATES
A) The supervisor or control analyst shall respect the particular relationship that is established in training with a supervisee or control analysand. The supervisor or control analyst shall not take advantage of his/her greater authority to become sexually involved with, exploit, or take advantage in any way of someone he/she is to evaluate, grade, promote, or recommend for promotion. Similar caution must be exercised after the teaching/supervisory relationship is over because of ongoing unresolved transference and projection issues which may have arisen in the course of training.
B) As supervisors, members shall have the responsibility to clarify and help objectify the presenter's case material. Supervisors shall identify and explore countertransferential reactions pertinent to the case and shall respect the boundaries of the supervisee's personal analysis.
C) It is recognized that members may assume other professional roles in the training of analysts where special consideration must be given to preserving the boundaries between analysis and the supervision of a training candidate, and between analysis and education. In such situations, members shall be sensitive to possible conflicts tending to interfere with their duties.
D) A member shall give proper credit and reference to the contributions and publications of other colleagues and shall not plagiarize the work of others.
E) Members respect the traditions and practices of their colleagues and of other professionals within the therapeutic field. If a member is contacted by a person who is already receiving similar services from another professional, the member shall carefully consider that relationship and proceed with caution and sensitivity to the therapeutic issues as well as the prospective patient's welfare.
F) When appropriate, members shall seek all significant information from the source
of referrals and other relevant professionals.
G) Whenever a LAAP member has evidence of a colleague's misconduct, he/she should first talk with the colleague/ candidate and try to stop the behavior in question, and if necessary encourage consultation or further personal analysis. If the concerned member cannot do this directly and/or needs to maintain confidentiality, he/she may contact the Ethics Committee of LAAP.
IV. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
A) Public statements of a member shall be ethical and respectful. They shall not promote racial, religious or any other discord.
B) Members shall present their own qualifications, affiliations, and functions accurately and objectively. They shall avoid misrepresentation in presenting the practice of analytical psychology either to patients or to the public at large.
C) In public statements offering personal advice, psychological opinions, or information about the availability of services and publications, members shall utilize the most relevant material and must exercise the highest level of professional judgment.
D) When expressing professional opinions or points of view, members shall not make
it appear, directly or indirectly, that they speak on behalf of LAAP or represent its official position, except as authorized by LAAP or its representatives.
V. TRAINING CANDIDATES
Candidates who are working with patients are expected to comply with this Code of Ethics and to sign an agreement indicating that they will do so.
VI. SERIOUS MISCONDUCT
All members shall be fully aware of the rules that constitute serious misconduct:
A) Inappropriate exploitation of patients or candidates for financial advantage.
B) Engaging in a sexual relationship with any patient or supervisee.
C) Bullying or harassment of any patient or candidate.
D) Physical violence against a patient, unless in exceptional circumstances it is
believed by the member to be necessary for self-defence, or to prevent the patient from hurting him/herself or others.
VII. ETHICS COMMITTEE’S MANDATE, COMPOSITION, VOTING
A) Committee Mandate
1. Consultation. The Ethics Committee is authorized to provide consultation to members who have concerns involving ethical issues of a professional nature. It is available to anyone who is concerned about unethical, unprofessional or otherwise harmful conduct on the part of any member or candidate of LAAP.
2. Processing Complaints. The Committee will appoint a Chairperson who is authorized to investigate alleged violations of the Ethics Code. When processing a complaint, the Ethics Committee may conduct the following activities:
a. notify necessary parties that an investigation is proceeding
b. hear evidence and make findings of fact
c. advise parties of their right to representation
d. advise parties of their rights of appeal
e. resolve a complaint informally
f. issue findings of fact and recommend actions to be taken
g. notify the parties of its determinations and actions
h. keep records
B) Ethics Committee’s Selection and Terms
1. Composition. The Ethics Committee shall consist of three LAAP members, at least one of them senior members (more than five years in LAAP or IAAP). The LAAP membership shall elect the members of the Ethics Committee at the General Meeting of LAAP.
2. Chairperson. The Ethics Committee shall elect its Chairperson from amongst its members.
3. Term of Service. A full term on the Ethics Committee shall be three years. A member may serve no more than six consecutive years. To further the continuity of the committee, the terms shall be staggered.
4. Vacancy and Replacement. In the event that an Ethics Committee member resigns or can no longer serve during a time when no proceeding is pending before the Ethics Committee, a replacement shall be appointed by the Council of LAAP. It is the responsibility of the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee to inform the President of LAAP of any such vacancy. (See E, below, for replacement of a member when there is a proceeding pending.)
C) Conflict of Interest Challenges
1. Challenge. The composition of the Ethics Committee may be challenged by either party to a complaint. Any challenge must be received by the President of LAAP no later than thirty (30) days from the date of notification that the matter has been referred to the Ethics Committee. The challenge must demonstrate that a conflict of interest exists between a particular Ethics Committee member and any party to the case.
2. Determination. The President of LAAP shall make a determination with regard to the challenge within a reasonable time and such determination shall be binding upon the parties.
D) Member Absences
1. Recusal if Named as a Party. If a complaint names as a party a member of the Ethics Committee, that member is automatically recused.
2. Recusal if Conflict of Interest. Ethics Committee members must recuse themselves from considering a complaint when they have identified a conflict of interest. When there is only the appearance of a conflict of interest, the relevant Ethics Committee member should bring this to the attention of the other members of the Ethics Committee and the President of LAAP to ascertain whether recusal is either necessary or preferable, given the particular circumstances.
3. Inability to Serve. When a member of the Ethics Committee is unable to perform his or her duties for personal reasons, such as illness, vacation or leave, the President of LAAP and the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee shall be informed.
4.A member of the Ethics Committee may recuse him or herself.
E) Interim Member
In the event that an Ethics Committee member is unable to perform his or her duties for any reason while a proceeding is pending before the Ethics Committee, an interim member shall be appointed by the Council of LAAP. Both parties shall have the right to challenge the appointment of the interim member in accordance with C, 1, above, and such challenge shall be resolved in accordance with Paragraph C, 2, above. (See B, 4, above, for replacement of a member when no ethics proceeding is pending.)
F) Voting
All decisions by the Ethics Committee require an affirmative vote of two members of the Ethics Committee. Whenever possible, however, a unanimous vote shall be sought.
VIII. PROCEDURE FOR INVESTIGATION AND ADJUDICATION OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BREACHES OF THE LAAP'S CODE OF ETHICS
Patients and their authorised persons shall have the right to appeal against any actions of LAAP members. LAAP members shall also have the right to lodge complaints if, in their opinion, actions of their colleague have done harm to the results of their work or professional reputation. Concerns and questions may be communicated to the Ethics Committee in two ways: A. Consultation and B. Formal Complaint. In either case, the proceedings of the Ethics Committee shall remain confidential and the identity of the complainant and person complained against should be released only in accordance with specific procedures, as indicated below, under Section C, Ethics Committee Actions.
A) Consultation
Consultation may be sought by anyone from any member of the Ethics Committee individually or from the entire Ethics Committee. Such consultation shall remain confidential within the Ethics Committee. There is no obligation on the part of the person seeking consultation to bring a formal charge. No written communication is required in order to schedule a consultation.
The purpose of consultative contact with the Ethics Committee is to provide individuals with a place to begin discussing, without threat of disclosure or pressure toward action, concerns about their own or others' conduct about which they may be unclear, conflicted, or fearful.
The Ethics Committee member/s consulted may help the individual frame the issues of concern, consider avenues for resolution, and provide information, as appropriate, about other options open to the individual (other interventions; filing a formal complaint with the Ethics Committee; informing professional associations or licensing and certifying organizations; seeking legal counsel; etc.) Although, at this stage, the member(s) of the Ethics Committee shall not offer a judgment about the conduct being described (unless the individual is describing his or her own behavior), the Ethics Committee member(s) consulted may nevertheless provide perspective and information about whether the behavior, if verified, might be illegal, unethical, or otherwise unprofessional.
The consultative level of contact offers the option of having the Ethics Committee or one of its members attempt to mediate a resolution of an ethical problem or grievance without a formal complaint being filed, if that is the wish of the aggrieved person and if the Chair of the Ethics Committee concurs. Because at the consultative level the Ethics Committee acts only in an advisory capacity, such mediation depends on the voluntary cooperation of the parties involved. The resolution will include an agreement concerning whether it will be held entirely confidential, or will involve a voluntary release of information about the matter outside LAAP, or within LAAP membership.
B) Formal Complaint
1. When the Ethics Committee proceeds to hear a formal complaint, it will conduct a professional peer investigation. Such an investigation is not a judicial process.
2. Time Restrictions. The Ethics Committee will only consider complaints in which the claimed unethical conduct occurred seven (7) years, or less, prior to the date of the complaint.
A complainant shall have the right to show cause as to why such a time restriction for a complaint shall be extended. Any extension beyond the time limit specified here must be approved by a majority of the members of the Ethics Committee.
In case of serious misconduct, there is no time limit for bringing and considering a complaint.
3. Anyone seeking to file a formal complaint shall be provided a copy of the LAAP Code of Ethics.
4. A complaint must be made in writing to the Chair of the Ethics Committee. It must contain the following:
a) the name, the surname of the person who is making a complaint (a complainant), the person against whom the complaint is addressed;
b) a short description of the complaint;
c) information about the attempts to resolve the dispute between the parties that has been made or an explanation why they are impossible.
If more information is needed in order to make this decision, the Ethics Committee may ask for further information from the complainant, either in writing or in a meeting with the Ethics Committee or one of its members. Receipt of any communication from a potential complainant shall be acknowledged in writing within 14 days.
5. On submitting a complaint, the complainant will be asked to sign an agreement to accept the rules, confidentiality of the proceedings, procedures of the Ethics Committee, and a release authorizing the Ethics Committee to give a copy of the complaint letter to the respondent. If the complainant has been an analysand of the respondent, consent will be requested to allow the respondent to provide the Ethics Committee with appropriate records and answer questions concerning the confidential professional relationship.
6. Notification to Complainant and Respondent:
a) The complainant must receive a letter about receipt of the complaint from Ethics Committee, a copy of Code of Ethics, and the decision about the acceptance or non-acceptance of the complaint for investigation, within one month. The respondent must also receive all the above-mentioned documents. b) Members of the Ethics Committee shall decide by a majority of votes whether to accept or reject the complaint for investigation. In the event the complaint is rejected, reasoned arguments for refusal to accept it shall be provided. In the event the complaint is accepted, the complainant shall be informed within what time the decision about his/her complaint shall be adopted.
c) Complainant and respondent should be advised in a timely manner of the names of the members of Ethics Committee adjudicating the case and should have the possibility of challenging for cause those individuals.
d) The Chair shall consider any objections to the membership of the Ethics Committee by any of the parties involved and appoint substitute members at his or her discretion. An Investigation Panel should be appointed by the Ethics Committee to hear a complaint. Objections must be submitted in writing to the Chair within thirty days of receipt of the notification of the composition of the Committee. Any objection must clearly demonstrate a conflict of interest between any of the members of the Ethics Committee and any of the parties in the case under investigation.
e) The notification to the respondent shall also contain the name of the person who has filed the complaint and a copy of the complaint.
f) Depending upon the nature and severity of the complaint, the Chair of the Ethics Committee may choose to discuss with the respondent the possibility of voluntary suspension of the respondent's involvement in training activities during the investigation.
7. Financial responsibility: complainant and respondent bear all financial responsibility for their expenses incurred during the processing of the complaint.
8. Investigation of a Complaint: After a complaint is filed and accepted, the Ethics Committee shall conduct an investigation as follows:
a) The proceedings should remain confidential and the identity of the complainant and respondent should be released only to the members of the Ethics Committee investigating the complaint.
b) During the course of investigation of the complaint, both the complainant and the respondent have to have the possibility to personally or in writing explain or comment in detail on the complaint.
c) The complainant will be asked to appear for a personal interview with the Ethics Committee. In this meeting, the complainant will be given an opportunity to provide a detailed description of the behavior in question, and the Ethics Committee members will be able to ask questions to help clarify what occurred and the impact it has had on the complainant.
d) The Ethics Committee may request written records or responses from the complainant or respondent, either before or after a personal meeting.
e) The Ethics Committee will schedule a separate meeting with the respondent at which time the respondent will have the opportunity to respond to the complaint.
f) The complainant and respondent may at any time communicate in writing with the Ethics Committee.
h) The Ethics Committee may request further information at any time, in writing or by personal interview, from the complainant, the respondent, or other parties it deems appropriate.
i) The Ethics Committee may request that the two parties attempt to resolve their difficulty through discussion, either with the Ethics Committee, one of its members, or in another appropriate forum.
j) The Ethics Committee may, when necessary, proceed to a hearing at which the person lodging the complaint and the person against whom the complaint is made shall present their respective positions and supporting evidence. The hearing can be with each party separately and/or with both in a joint meeting. The Chair of the Ethics Committee shall send written notice of the hearing to the parties at least fourteen (14) days before the hearing date.
k) Each party shall have the right to hear and to question the testimony of the other party. A person needs to request that he/she wishes to exercise that right; and the other party is required to participate in a joint meeting if so requested.
C) Ethics Committee Actions
1. After the complaint has been investigated, the Ethics Committee shall prepare a short written summary of the talks with the complainant and the respondent and formulate the decision.
2. The decision on the complaint shall be adopted within ninety (90) days following receipt of the complaint for investigation. In the event the investigation of the complaint exceeds this term, both parties shall be informed about the reasons thereof.
3. The Ethics Committee shall present its decision about the complaint to both parties and the Council of LAAP. The recommendations about how to avoid similar cases in the future must be attached to the decision. Decisions of the Ethics Committee shall not be binding; they are of a recommendatory nature.
4. As part of its educational role and function, the Ethics Committee may take, or ask of the respondent to accept, any of the following actions, alone or in combination:
a) Mediated resolution of the matter with the respondent.
b) Private or mediated apology to the complainant.
c) Individual therapy relevant to the situation.
d) Individual supervision relevant to the problem. The Ethics Committee may make specific recommendations for types of supervision to be sought.
e) Independent medical and/or psychological examination, with a consultant to be approved by the Committee, with report to be released to the Committee or to the respondent's therapist or supervisor, at the discretion of the Committee.
f) Monitoring as stipulated by the Committee.
g) Probation for a period of time and under conditions specified by the Committee and monitored by the Committee.
h) Apology to the LAAP membership including candidates if so specified by the Committee.
i) Suspension from certain positions of responsibility within the LAAP.
5. In case of a serious misconduct, the Council of LAAP may take the following formal measures with respect to the respondent of the complaint:
a) A warning of the Council of LAAP against non-professional behavior;
b) Informing all the LAAP members about the improper behavior of their colleague;
c) Expulsion from the LAAP membership.
6. Within 30 days following adoption of the decision by the Ethics Committee, the Council of LAAP shall adopt its resolution and shall inform the complainant and the person against whom the complaint has been directed thereof. The resolution shall specify what measures have been taken with respect to the complaint.
7. From the date of mailing by the Ethics Committee of the decision, the respondent and the complainant shall have thirty (30) days to accept or appeal the determination of the Ethics Committee. If the determination is accepted by both the complainant and the respondent, the Chair of the Ethics Committee shall notify both parties that the matter has been resolved through a Resolution within the Ethics Committee, stating the principle(s) of the Code of Ethics that were found to have been violated and the actions taken by the Ethics Committee.
8. If either respondent or complainant appeal the determination, the appeal will be heard as specified below. (See Appeals)
9. If no timely appeal is filed, the decision of the Ethics Committee shall become final and the respondent and complainant shall be deemed to have accepted it. If the respondent fails to comply with any directives of a final decision, the Ethics Committee will view such lack of response as failure to cooperate and may initiate appropriate actions. It shall so notify the complainant within thirty days after the thirty day period for acceptance or appeal of the determination of the Ethics Committee.
10. Final action taken by LAAP to suspend or expel a member for ethical reasons shall be reported by LAAP to all other IAAP Groups of which the sanctioned analyst is a member when such reporting would be in accordance with applicable law, and should be done in accordance with the applicable law.
11. Documents of investigation of the complaint shall be permanently stored in a secure place.
D) Cooperation with the Ethics Committee
All members of LAAP are required to cooperate with the Ethics Committee in investigations.
Once an investigation has begun, the respondent may not resign from LAAP prior to conclusion of the investigation.
A lack of cooperation in working with the Ethics Committee to resolve the questions in dispute could, in itself, be grounds for a finding of unethical conduct, depending on the circumstances, and could form the grounds for Ethics Committee sanctions.
IX. APPEALS
A) Composition and Election of the Ethics Appeals Committee
1. The Ethics Appeals Committee shall be elected by the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting or Appointed by the Council of LAAP. The Ethics Appeals Committee shall consist of three LAAP members selected from among current members.
2. The Ethics Appeals Committee shall elect its Chairperson from amongst its members.
3. Ethics Appeals Committee members shall be elected for a term of three (3) years and may be re-elected for one (1) additional term for a maximum of six (6) consecutive years. Membership shall be on a rotating basis.
4. A vacancy occurring during the term of any member of the Ethics Appeals Committee shall be filled through an appointment made by a majority vote of the Council of LAAP for the remainder of the term of the person leaving the Ethics Appeals Committee.
5. In case of inability or inappropriateness to serve in a particular case, for example where a dual relationship exists, a member shall step down from the Ethics Appeals Committee and be replaced temporarily. Either party may request such a replacement for cause shown, or the member may simply offer to step down. The temporary replacement shall be selected by a unanimous vote of the remaining members of the Ethics Appeals Committee.
B) Responsibilities, Functions, and Procedures of the Ethics Appeals Committee
1. An appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of the letter that communicates to all parties the decision of the Ethics Committee. Appeals filed later than this time period will not be considered. Grounds for overturning the decisions of the Committee include procedural errors or new evidence, which brings into question the substantive validity of the Committee’s action. Only one appeal will be permitted.
2. The Ethics Appeals Committee shall review the findings and recommendations of the Ethics Committee and determine whether the findings, decisions, actions of the Ethics Committee shall be upheld.
3. In cases of recommendations in the decision of the Ethics Committee the Ethics Appeals Committee may submit the case back to the Ethics Committee for further review, or make a final decision at the Ethics Appeals Committee level based on available information. In cases of re-investigation, the procedures for investigation stated above shall be followed.
4. In cases of formal measures in the decision of the Ethics Committee the Chair of the Ethics Appeals Committee shall arrange a meeting of the Ethics Committee with the Ethics Appeals Committee as soon as practical but no later than at the next meeting of the LAAP; at that meeting, the Ethics Committee will bring its findings, procedures followed, and decisions before the Ethics Appeals Committee for independent review. After hearing the Ethics Committee's presentation of its work, the Ethics Appeals Committee will proceed with its review.
5. The Ethics Appeals Committee may choose to re-investigate the complaint partially or fully. In the event of a re-investigation, the procedures for investigation are to be followed. It may seek further information from the parties involved via mail, phone, or in person.
6. If the Ethics Appeals Committee decides to proceed with formal measures:
a) it shall inform the President of LAAP;
b) it shall inform the complainant and the respondent of the action, stating the principle(s) of the Code of Ethics that were found to have been violated and the specific formal measures which will be taken.
c) it will give a report to the LAAP Council at the next meeting, stating the principle(s) found to have been violated and the specific formal measure which was taken.
d) The Ethics Appeals Committee shall inform the IAAP, stating the principle(s) found to have been violated by the respondent and the specific formal measure which was taken.
e) The Ethics Appeals Committee may communicate its findings (stating the principle(s) found to have been violated by the respondent and the specific formal measure which was taken) to affiliated associations, state licensing and certification boards, and such other individuals and organizations which the Ethics Appeals Committee deems necessary to protect the public health, safety, welfare. No such communication shall be made without the advice of the Council of LAAP to insure that the Ethics Appeals Committee, LAAP, its officers and members are complying with applicable laws and are not in violation of laws of defamation.
5. Parties may request to appear in person before the Ethics Appeals Committee during the investigation. Such appearance shall be requested at least 30 days before the meeting. If one party requests to appear, the other party has to be notified.
6. All decisions of the Ethics Appeals Committee are made by two- thirds (2/3) majority vote.
4. Within thirty (30) days of making its decision, the Ethics Appeals Committee shall notify the complainant the respondent of its decision.
5. The decision of the Ethics Appeals Committee shall be final within the LAAP.
C) Cooperation with the Ethics Appeals Committee
1. All members, candidates, and affiliates of LAAP are required to cooperate with this Committee in investigations.
2. Once an investigation has begun, the respondent may not resign from LAAP prior to conclusion of the investigation.
3. A lack of cooperation in working with this Committee to resolve the questions in dispute could, in itself, be grounds for a finding of unethical conduct, depending on the circumstances, and could form the grounds for Ethics Committee sanctions.
D) Final action taken by LAAP after the decision of the Ethics Appeal Committee to suspend or expel a member for ethical reasons shall be reported by LAAP to all other IAAP Groups of which the sanctioned analyst is a member when such reporting would be in accordance with local law, and should be done in accordance with the applicable law.
E) Documents of investigation of the complaint by the Ethics Appeal Committee shall be permanently stored in a secure place.
