Textual Amendments
F1Pt. 14A inserted (1.1.2016) by Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Act 2015 (c. 19), ss. 2(1), 7(1); S.I. 2015/1957, reg. 2 (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2015/1969)
(1)Service complaints regulations must make provision enabling the complainant in relation to a service complaint to appeal to the Defence Council against a decision on the complaint, where the decision was taken by a person or panel appointed by virtue of section 340C(1)(a).
(2)The regulations may make provision—
(a)about the way in which an appeal is to be brought (including about the information to be provided by the complainant);
[F2(aa)restricting the grounds on which an appeal against a decision on a complaint (or on a complaint of a description specified in the regulations) may be brought;]
(b)that an appeal may not be brought, except in circumstances specified in the regulations, after the end of the period so specified;
(c)requiring the Defence Council to decide any question relating to whether an appeal has been brought before the end of the period referred to in paragraph (b) or (if not) whether circumstances referred to in that paragraph apply;
[F3(ca)requiring the Defence Council to decide any question relating to whether an appeal has been brought on valid grounds;]
(d)requiring the Defence Council to decide whether an appeal is to be determined—
(i)by a person or panel of persons appointed by the Council, or
(ii)by the Council themselves.
(3)The period referred to in subsection (2)(b) must be at least [F4two] weeks beginning with the day on which the complainant received notification of the decision appealed against.
(4)The Defence Council must not appoint a person or panel to determine an appeal unless—
(a)the person is, or all the persons on the panel are, authorised by the Council to determine the appeal and to grant appropriate redress, or
(b)the Council propose to authorise that person or those persons for those purposes.
(5)Provision made by virtue of subsection (2)(d) is subject to regulations made under section 340E(1) (eligibility for appointment, requirements relating to independent decision-making, etc).
(6)Service complaints regulations must make provision—
(a)for the Service Complaints Ombudsman, on an application by the complainant, to review a decision by the Defence Council that an appeal cannot be proceeded with because—
(i)it was not brought before the end of the period referred to in subsection (2)(b), and
(ii)the case is not one in which circumstances referred to in that provision apply;
[F5(aa)for the Service Complaints Ombudsman, on an application by the complainant, to review a decision by the Defence Council that an appeal cannot be proceeded with because it was not brought on a valid ground;]
(b)for securing that the decision of the Ombudsman, on [F6a review such as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or (aa),] is binding on the complainant and the Defence Council.]
Textual Amendments
F2S. 340D(2)(aa) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 15.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 10(3)(a), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(d); S.I. 2022/625, reg. 2
F3S. 340D(2)(ca) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 15.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 10(3)(b), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(d); S.I. 2022/625, reg. 2
F4Word in s. 340D(3) substituted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 15.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 10(4), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(d); S.I. 2022/625, reg. 2
F5S. 340D(6)(aa) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 15.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 10(5)(a), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(d); S.I. 2022/625, reg. 2
F6Words in s. 340D(6)(b) substituted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 15.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 10(5)(b), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(d); S.I. 2022/625, reg. 2