The Merchant Shipping (Section 52 Inquiries) Rules 1982
These Rules prescribe the procedure to be followed at any inquiry under section 52 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970 into the fitness or conduct of an officer and at any re-hearing of such an inquiry which is not held by the High Court or Court of Session. Notice of the inquiry must be served by the Secretary of State on the officer concerned (rule 4(1)) and the inquiry is to be held in public (rule 6(3)). The person appointed to hear the inquiry should be assisted by one or more assessors (rule 5(1)). He is required to announce his decision in public at the end of the inquiry or as soon as possible thereafter and to make a report to the Secretary of State. An assessor may sign the report with or without reservations (rule 8).