Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 89.1 - Construction of chapter(a)General rule. This chapter is promulgated for the purpose of assisting the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the respondent-attorney and the Board to develop the facts relating to, and to reach a just and proper determination of, grievances brought to the attention of the Board. The Board recognizes the temptation in disciplinary matters to raise procedural defenses where substantive defenses would be unavailing and, therefore, the Board will not hold action of a hearing committee, hearing committee member or special master invalid by reason of any nonprejudicial irregularity, or for any error not resulting in a miscarriage of justice.(b)Relationship to informal proceedings. The filing of a petition for discipline under this chapter shall be conclusive evidence that all conditions precedent thereto under Chapter 87 (relating to investigations and informal proceedings) have been satisfied. Failure to comply with any requirement of Chapter 87 shall not affect the validity of proceedings under this chapter and no proceeding or other matter under Chapter 87 shall be an issue in formal proceedings under this chapter.The provisions of this §89.1 amended November 14 and 17, 1989 and December 6 and 20, 1989, effective 4/14/1990, 20 Pa.B. 2009; amended March 11, 2005, effective immediately, 35 Pa.B. 1656.