51Reference of questions of law to Federal Court of Australia

#### 51 Reference of questions of law to Federal Court of Australia (1) The Tribunal may, of its own motion or at the request of appellant or Chief of the Defence Force or a service chief, refer a question of law arising in a proceeding before the Tribunal, not being a proceeding before a single member exercising the powers of the Tribunal, to the Federal Court of Australia for decision. (2) The Federal Court of Australia has jurisdiction to hear and determine a question of law referred to it under this section, and that jurisdiction shall be exercised by that Court constituted as a Full Court. (3) Where a question of law involved in a decision in respect of a proceeding before the Tribunal has been referred to the Federal Court of Australia under this section, the Tribunal shall not, in that proceeding: (a) give a decision to which the question is relevant while the reference is pending; or (b) proceed in a manner, or make a decision, that is inconsistent with the opinion of the Federal Court of Australia on the question.