Pilotage Act 1983

26 Appeal to court by pilot against action of pilotage authority

(1) A pilot may appeal to the relevant court against—

(a) the suspension or revocation of his licence by the pilotage authority,

(b) the refusal or failure of the pilotage authority to renew his licence,

(c) the refusal or failure of the pilotage authority who have obtained possession of his licence to return it to him,

(d) the imposition upon him by the pilotage authority of a fine exceeding £2.

(2) In this section the expression "the relevant court" means—

(a) in the case of an appeal by a pilot licensed for a district in England or Wales, either a judge of county courts having jurisdiction within the port for which the pilot is licensed or a stipendiary magistrate having jurisdiction within that port; and the expression "stipendiary magistrate" includes a metropolitan stipendiary magistrate,

(b) in the case of an appeal by a pilot licensed for a district in Scotland, the sheriff having jurisdiction at the port where the decision is given,

(c) in the case of an appeal by a pilot licensed for a district in Northern Ireland, either a judge of the county court having jurisdiction within the port for which the pilot is licensed or a court of summary jurisdiction having jurisdiction within that port,

and the expression " court " shall be construed accordingly.

(3) For the purpose of hearing the appeal, the court shall sit with an assessor of nautical and pilotage experience selected and summoned by the court.

(4) Objection may be taken to any person proposed to be summoned as an assessor, either personally or in respect of his qualification, and by either party to the appeal.

(5) The court may confirm or reverse the suspension or revocation of the licence, or make such order in the case as may seem just, and its decision shall be final, unless special leave to appeal from the same to the High Court on a question of law or a question of mixed law and fact is given by the court, or by the High Court, and in such case the decision of the High Court shall be final.

In the application of this subsection to Scotland, references to the Court of Session shall be substituted for references to the High Court.

(6) The costs incurred by a pilotage authority under this section shall be payable out of any fund applicable to the general expenses of the pilotage authority.

(7) Rules of Court with respect to the procedure under this section (including costs and the remuneration of assessors) may be made, with the concurrence of the Treasury as to fees.

This subsection does not extend to Northern Ireland.