215.—(1) An appeal lodged with the scheme manager under regulation 198(2) (appeals to tribunal: payment of benefits) or 207(1) (forfeiture: appeals to tribunal) must—
(a)be made by notice in writing; and
(b)specify the grounds of appeal.
(2) The scheme manager, on receiving a notice of appeal, must appoint an appeal tribunal (“the tribunal”) to hear the appeal.
(3) The tribunal must consist of 3 persons including—
(a)an advocate or solicitor of not less than 7 years’ standing who must be appointed as chair;
(b)a former member of the police force who before leaving the police force held a rank not below Superintendent.
(4) The tribunal must—
(a)determine the time and place of the hearing and of any postponed or adjourned hearing; and
(b)give reasonable notice of those details to the parties.
(5) Either party may—
(a)be represented before the tribunal by counsel, a solicitor or any other person the party considers appropriate;
(b)adduce evidence; and
(c)cross-examine witnesses.
(6) The tribunal must determine its own procedure but—
(a)the tribunal must have regard to the practice of the sheriff that applies to an appeal under regulation 197 (appeals to sheriff); and
(b)the rules of evidence that apply to an appeal under that regulation apply to an appeal under this regulation.
(7) The tribunal, after hearing and determining the appeal, may make any order as appears to it just.
(8) The order must state the reasons for the decision and each of the parties must be given a copy.
(9) Either party may appeal to the sheriff in accordance with rules of court on any point of law arising from a decision of the tribunal under this regulation.