Section 257: Restriction on reduction or disrating in rank of warrant or petty officers and non-commissioned officers

(1) A warrant or petty officer shall not be reduced in rank or disrated except by a sentence of a court-martial or by the order of the appropriate superior authority in accordance with the rules and practices of the respective services as provided for under this Act.
(2) A non-commissioned officer shall not be reduced in rank or disrated except-
(a) by sentence of a court-martial; or
(b) in the case of a petty or non-commissioned officer, other than a lance-corporal or able rate, by an award or order of the commanding officer or of an officer by whom the commanding officer's powers of reduction or disrating are exercisable by virtue of this Act; or
(c) in the case of a lance-corporal or able rate by an award or order of his commanding officer.
(3) Where it appears to the commanding officer that a warrant or petty officer or a non-commissioned officer or leading rating is unable to perform satisfactorily the functions of his rank, the commanding officer shall take steps through trial procedures in accordance with the provisions of this Act to reduce or disrate the warrant or petty officer or the non-commissioned officer to such rank, as may be specified by the outcome of the trial or to ranks or ordinary rating.
(4) Where it appears to a commanding officer that a non-commissioned officer or leading rating being below the rank of warrant or petty officer serving under his command is unable to perform satisfactorily the functions of his rank, the commanding officer may take appropriate steps to refer him to the appropriate superior authority if he is of the opinion that the non-commissioned officer or rating should be reduced to ranks or ordinary rating.