Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000

26 Appeals by Water Industry Commissioner S

(1) If the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland—

(a) is the subject of a finding under section 18 above of a contravention of the Water Commissioner’s code issued under section 25 above;

(b) is made subject to a sanction under section 25(12) and (13) above,

the Commissioner may appeal to the sheriff principal of the sheriffdom in which the principal office of the Commissioner is situated.

(2) An appeal—

(a) under subsection (1)(a) above may be made on one or more of the following grounds—

(i) that the Commission’s finding was based on an error of law;

(ii) that there has been procedural impropriety in the conduct of any hearing held under section 16(b) above;

(iii) that the Commission has acted unreasonably in the exercise of its discretion;

(iv) that the Commission’s finding was not supported by the facts found to be proved by the Commission;

(b) under subsection (1)(b) above may be made on one or both of the following grounds—

(i) that the sanction imposed was excessive;

(ii) that the Commission has acted unreasonably in the exercise of its discretion.

(3) An appeal under subsection (1) above shall be lodged within 21 days of—

(a) the sending of the finding under section 18 above to the Commissioner; or

(b) the imposition of the sanction under section 25(12) above.

(4) A finding made or sanction imposed by the Commission continues to have effect notwithstanding the lodging of an appeal under subsection (1) above.

(5) The sheriff principal may—

(a) in an appeal under subsection (1)(a) above—

(i) confirm the finding under section 18 above;

(ii) quash the finding;

(iii) quash the finding and remit the matter to the Commission to reconsider its decision;

(b) in an appeal under subsection (1)(b) above—

(i) confirm the sanction;

(ii) quash the sanction and either substitute a lesser sanction or remit the matter back to the Commission;

(c) award expenses.

(6) The decision of the sheriff principal under subsection (1) above is a final judgment for the purposes of section 28 (appeals to the Court of Session) of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907 (c.51).

(7) In an appeal from the sheriff principal by virtue of subsection (6) above, the Court of Session has the powers specified in subsection (5) above.

(8) The Commission may be a party to any appeal under subsection (1) above and in any appeal from the decision of the sheriff principal.