(1) Assessments higher than those permitted by Regulations 320 to 325 shall be corrected, with approval of the Chief of the Naval Staff but those properly made by the Commanding Officer in accordance with sub-regulation (5) of Regulation 319 are final and shall not be subject to review unless one of the following conditions is fulfilled, when application may be made to the chief of the Naval Staff for re-assessment: -
(a) The assessment has come to have an effect which could not have been foreseen at the time it was awarded and which, taking into consideration also the length and quality of subsequent service, is now unduly severe. An application for review on these grounds may be forwarded only within the last year before completion of time for pension or on discharge if earlier. No application shall be entertained when the character record during pensionable service includes an assessment below “Good” or more than one assessment other than “V.G.” (for example one “V.G.*” and one “Good”)except in very exceptional circumstances (for example because of recognition given for an act of personal gallantry).
(b) There is good reason to believe that a character assessment which is lower than the highest assessment which could have been given, under Regulations 320 to 325 was not given advisedly. An application for review on these grounds may be made as soon as possible after the assessment has been communicated. If the application is n ot made within a reasonable period, it shall include the reasons for the delay.
(c) The assessment was unfair or the punishment which affected the assessment was unjust or unduly severe in itself or in its immediate effects an application for review on these grounds shall follow the procedure prescribed for making complaints.
Any such complaints shall be made as soon as possible, while the facts are still ascertainable.
(2) The only applications for the review of character assessments which may be considered after a sailor has been released are those relating to the final assessment on discharge and such applications shall be considered only if appeal is made on discharge or within three months after the date of discharge. Any sailor who expresses dissatisfaction with the assessment given on his discharge shall be warn ed that any appeal to the Chief of the Naval Staff must be made within three months.
(3) Application under clauses (b) and (c) of sub-regulation (1) from pensioners, reservists, or sailors re-entered for review of character assessment during previous period of service shall not be entertained.