Reserve Forces Act 1996

Validity of attestation and enlistment

4(1)This paragraph applies where a person has signed the declaration required by paragraph 3.

(2)The validity of the person’s enlistment shall not be called in question on the ground of any error or omission in his attestation paper.

(3)If within 3 months from the date on which the person signed the declaration he claims that his enlistment is invalid—

(a)by reason of any non-compliance with the requirements of this Act as to enlistment or attestation; or

(b)on any other ground whatsoever (not being an error or omission in his attestation paper) on which apart from this sub-paragraph the validity of his enlistment could have been called in question,

the claim shall be submitted as soon as may be to the Defence Council, and, if the claim is well founded, the Defence Council shall cause him to be discharged with all convenient speed.

(4)If when the person signed the declaration he had not attained the appropriate minimum age, and within 3 months from the date on which he signed the declaration he, or any person whose consent to the enlistment was required under paragraph 2(1) but who did not duly consent, claims that his enlistment is invalid—

(a)by reason of any non-compliance with the requirements of this Act as to enlistment or attestation; or

(b)on any other ground whatsoever (not being an error or omission in his attestation paper) on which apart from this sub-paragraph the validity of his enlistment could have been called in question,

the claim shall be submitted as soon as may be to the Defence Council, and, if the claim is well founded, the Defence Council shall cause him to be discharged with all convenient speed.

(5)If no claim under sub-paragraph (3) or (4) is made within 3 months from the date on which he signed the declaration, the person shall be deemed to have been validly enlisted notwithstanding any such non-compliance or other grounds as aforesaid.

(6)Notwithstanding any such non-compliance or other grounds as aforesaid, or the making of a claim under sub-paragraph (3) or (4), the person shall be deemed to be a man of the reserve force in question until his discharge.

(7)Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as prejudicing the determination of any question as to the term for which a person was enlisted or as preventing the discharge of a person who has not claimed his discharge.