Section 25

For the purposes of this Act, there is to be a Committee of Appeal consisting of at least 15 but not more than 21 members to be appointed by the Minister.

Subject to subsections (3) and (4), each member of the Committee of Appeal holds office for such period (not exceeding 3 years) as the Minister may specify in the member’s letter of appointment.

The Minister may at any time revoke the appointment of any member of the Committee of Appeal as the Minister considers necessary in the interest of the effective performance of the functions of the Committee of Appeal under this Act, or in the public interest.

A member of the Committee of Appeal may at any time, by letter addressed to the Minister, resign his or her membership.

If a premature vacancy occurs in the office of any member of the Committee of Appeal, the Minister may appoint a person to fill the vacancy and hold that office for the remainder of the term for which the vacating member was appointed; and “premature vacancy” means a vacancy that occurs in the office of a member of the Committee of Appeal otherwise than because of the expiry of the term of office.

The Chairperson and the Vice‑Chairperson of the Committee of Appeal are to be appointed by the Minister.

At any meeting of the Committee of Appeal in the absence of both the Chairperson and the Vice‑Chairperson, the members present are to elect one of their number to preside at that meeting.

In addition to the Chairperson’s general vote, the Chairperson of the Committee of Appeal or member presiding at a meeting of the Committee has, in the case of an equality of votes, a casting vote.

A quorum for a meeting of the Committee of Appeal is the number that is at least one-third the number of its members.

All members of the Committee of Appeal are deemed to be public servants within the meaning of the Penal Code 1871.