The Trade in Animals and Related Products (Scotland) Regulations 2012

Appeals

22.—(1) Any person who is aggrieved by a decision referred to in regulation 18 or 21 may appeal to the sheriff against that decision.

(2) An appeal under this regulation—

(a) is to be made by way of summary application; and

(b) must be lodged with the sheriff clerk within the period of 28 days from the day on which the decision was made.

(3) On good cause being shown, the sheriff may hear an appeal under this regulation notwithstanding that it was not lodged within the time mentioned in paragraph (2)(b).

(4) When an application is made, the sheriff may make an order—

(a) suspending the decision until the application is determined; and

(b) making such provision as seems appropriate in relation to the keeping of an animal or the storage of a product until then.

(5) For the purposes of an appeal under this regulation, the sheriff may require the official veterinarian or the enforcement authority, as the case may be, to give reasons for that decision.

(6) The sheriff may uphold an appeal under this regulation only if the sheriff considers that the official veterinarian or the enforcement authority in arriving at the decision—

(a) erred in law;

(b) based the decision on any incorrect material fact;

(c) acted contrary to natural justice; or

(d) exercised discretion in an unreasonable manner.

(7) In considering an appeal under this regulation, the sheriff may hear evidence by or on behalf of any party to the appeal.

(8) On allowing an appeal under this regulation, the sheriff may—

(a) remit the matter to the official veterinarian or the enforcement authority for reconsideration; or

(b) substitute for the decision of the official veterinarian or the enforcement authority another decision which could have been made under the regulation concerned (or where a substituted decision would have no practical effect, make such other order, including an order as to compensation, as seems appropriate in the circumstances).

(9) On remitting a matter under paragraph (8)(a) above, the sheriff may—

(a) specify a date by which the official veterinarian or the enforcement authority must, having reconsidered the matter, make another decision; and

(b) modify any procedural steps which otherwise would be required in relation to the matter by or under these Regulations.

(10) The sheriff may include in the decision on an appeal under this regulation such order as to the expenses of the appeal as the sheriff thinks proper.

(11) The decision of the sheriff is final.