Section 172: Boards of inquiry

(1) Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of rules made under this Part of this Act (in this Act referred to as "Board of Inquiry Rules"), the Forces Council or an officer of a service of the Armed Forces commanding a body of service personnel may convene a board of inquiry of the Forces Councilor of that officer.
(2) A board of inquiry shall, if directed so to do, express its opinion on any question arising from any matter referred to it.
(3) A board of inquiry shall consist of a president and such number of other persons as may be provided for by the Board of Inquiry Rules, who shall be persons subject to service law under this Act, and the President of the board of inquiry shall be an officer not below the rank of lieutenant or corresponding rank.
(4) Evidence given before a board of inquiry shall not be admissible against a person in a proceeding before a court-martial or at a summary trial by the commanding officer or appropriate superior authority other than a proceeding for an offence under section 101 of this Act or for an offence under section 114 of this Act when the corresponding offence is perjury.