(1) A complaint may be made about conduct to which this chapter applies irrespective of when the conduct is alleged to have happened.
(2) However, the complaint cannot be dealt with (otherwise than to dismiss it or refer it to mediation) if the complaint is made more than 3 years after the conduct is alleged to have happened, unless the relevant council for the person about whom the complaint is made decides that—
(a) it is just and fair to deal with the complaint having regard to the delay and the reasons for the delay; or
(b) the complaint involves an allegation of professional misconduct and it is in the public interest to deal with the complaint.