New Zealand Legislation: Acts

15B Consideration of claims, etc, by district claims panel

• (1) Where a claims panel is to consider any claim pursuant to a delegation under section 15A—

  • (a) every provision of this Act relating to claims for war pensions or allowances, so far as it is relevant to the claim, shall, with the necessary modifications, apply to and in respect of the consideration and determination of the claim:

  • (b) the claims panel may require the claimant to undergo such medical examinations or assessments as may be reasonably necessary to enable the claims panel to consider the claim fairly:

  • (c) the claims panel may require the claimant to attend and give evidence before the panel in support of the claim, and may accept evidence in person from the claimant or any other person whom the claimant wishes to present in support of the claim:

  • (d) the claimant shall have the right to make written submissions to the claims panel in support of the claim.

  (2) Every decision of a claims panel shall be unanimous.

  (3) If there is no unanimity between the members of a claims panel on any claim, each member shall make a written record of the member’s opinion and the reasons for that opinion.

  (4) Where subsection (3) applies, the claim, together with each member’s written opinion on the claim and all other relevant information, shall be forwarded to a national review officer appointed under section 15C for consideration.

  Section 15B: inserted, on 1 April 1989, by section 7(1) of the War Pensions Amendment Act 1988 (1988 No 148).