The Armed Forces (Service Inquiries) Regulations 2008

Composition of a service inquiry panel

6.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs of this Regulation, a service inquiry panel must consist of a president and at least two other members.

(2) If in the opinion of the convening authority the president is unable to continue as president the convening authority must as soon as practicable appoint an existing member or a new member to replace him as president.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (4), if in the opinion of the convening authority any other member is unable to continue as a member, the convening authority may appoint a replacement.

(4) If the membership of a service inquiry panel falls below the requirements of paragraph (1), the convening authority must as soon as practicable appoint one or more new members as necessary to meet those requirements.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), a member of a service inquiry panel must be—

(a) an officer, warrant officer or senior non-commissioned officer of any of Her Majesty’s forces; or

(b) a Crown servant.

(6) A person who is a member of an armed force other than any of Her Majesty’s forces may be appointed a member of a service inquiry panel, if—

(a) he is of a rank equivalent to that of a senior non-commissioned officer or above; and

(b) in the opinion of the convening authority the terms of reference under regulation 7 will require the service inquiry panel to investigate a mater which is likely to be connected with that force as well as with any of Her Majesty’s forces.

(7) The president must be an officer—

(a) subject to service law; and

(b) of or above the rank of lieutenant commander, major or squadron leader.

(8) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), but subject to any provision of these Regulations expressly requiring any action to be taken by all the members of a service inquiry panel, any function under these Regulations of a service inquiry panel may be performed by such one or more of the members of the panel as the president may decide.