10.—(1) Where an authority serves a notice of rejection under regulation 9(2)(b) in relation to representations made under regulation 8(4), the person making those representations may, before the end of—
(a)the period of 28 days beginning with the date of service of that notice; or
(b)such longer period as an adjudicator may allow,
appeal to a adjudicator against the authority’s decision.
(2) On an appeal under this regulation, the adjudicator shall consider the representations in question and any additional representations which are made by the appellant together with any representations made to him by the enforcement authority.
(3) If the adjudicator concludes—
(a)that any of the grounds referred to in regulation 8(5) apply; and
(b)that the enforcement authority would have been under the duty imposed by regulation 9(3) to refund any sum if it had served notice that it accepted that the ground in question applied,
he shall direct that authority to refund that sum.
(4) It shall be the duty of an enforcement authority to which a direction is given under paragraph (3) to comply with it forthwith.
(5) If the adjudicator gives no direction under paragraph (3) but is satisfied that there are compelling reasons why, in the particular circumstances of the case, some or all of the sums paid to secure the release of the vehicle should be refunded, he may recommend the enforcement authority to make such a refund.
(6) It shall be the duty of an enforcement authority to which a recommendation is made under paragraph (5) to consider afresh the making of a refund of those sums taking full account of any observations by the adjudicator and, within the period of thirty-five days beginning with the date on which the direction was given (“the 35-day period”), to notify the appellant and the adjudicator as to whether or not it accepts the adjudicator’s recommendation.
(7) If the enforcement authority notifies the appellant and the adjudicator that it does not accept the adjudicator’s recommendation it shall at the same time inform them of the reasons for its decision.
(8) No appeal to the adjudicator shall lie against the decision of the enforcement authority under paragraph (7).
(9) If the enforcement authority accepts the adjudicator’s recommendation it shall make the recommended refund within the 35-day period.
(10) If the enforcement authority fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (6) within the 35-day period, the authority shall be taken to have accepted the adjudicator’s recommendation and shall make the recommended refund immediately after the end of that period.