Section 7: Vacancy in membership of Council

7. Vacancy in membership of Council (1) A member, other than an ex officio member, shall cease to hold office— (a) on completion of his term of office; or (b) on his resignation, by giving notice in writing to the Registrar. (2) Where a member resigns under subsection (1) (b), his seat shall become vacant as from the date on which the Registrar receives the notice. (3) The Council may remove from office any member, other than an ex officio member, who— (a) is absent, without leave of the Council, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Council; (b) becomes insolvent, assigns his estate for the benefit of his creditors or makes an arrangement with his creditors; (c) commits an act of misconduct, malpractice, negligence, fraud or dishonesty, or a breach of the Code of Practice, which, in the opinion of the Council, renders him unfit to be a member; (d) is convicted of an offence of such nature which, in the opinion of the Council, renders him unfit to be a member; (e) is deregistered as a professional architect under this Act; (f) is suffering from such mental or physical impairment as, in the opinion of the Council, renders him unfit to be a member; or (g) fails to disclose any pecuniary or other material interest which he has in relation to any matter before the Council. (4) The Council may suspend from office, for such time as it may determine, any member who is— (a) liable to be removed from office under subsection (3); (b) guilty of a breach of the Code of Practice; or (c) the subject of an investigation. (5) Where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Council, the vacancy shall be filled by a person appointed by the Minister, who shall hold office for the remainder of the term of office of that member. [Issue 3] P39A – 6 Revised Laws of Mauritius