Section 335: Service complaints: role of Defence Council and service complaint panels
675.This section permits the Defence Council to delegate all or some of its responsibilities under section 334 to a panel, referred to in the Act as a “service complaint panel”. Members of a service complaint panel are appointed by the Defence Council (except independent members appointed by the Secretary of State where required by regulations under section 336(7).
676.Subsection (4) permits the Defence Council (in relation to all or any complaints) to delegate to a civil servant or officer
the decision on which of its functions are to be delegated to a service complaint panel, and
the Council’s function of appointing the panel members.
677.Subsections (6) and (7) enable the Defence Council to obtain assistance in other ways. Under subsection (6) the Defence Council may require a panel to assist them and (under subsection (7)) may appoint a person (including a panel or panel member) to investigate a complaint.