4. With respect to the case as prescribed in Article 14, paragraph 2, each Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency shall, as provided for by Order, conduct an inquiry through a collegiate court of Judges as prescribed in the principal clause of paragraph 1 or 3 and two (2) Commissioned Judges designated by the head of each Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency.
5. In a case as prescribed in the principal clause of paragraphs 1, 3 and 4, one of the
Judges shall be Presiding Judge.
Article 17. Deleted.
Article 18. Deleted.
(Jurisdiction)
Article 19. The jurisdiction over a case subjected to an inquiry shall fall under the Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency which has jurisdiction over the location where a marine accident occurred. However, in case that the location of the marine accident is not made clear, the jurisdiction shall fall under the Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency whose jurisdiction covers the port of registry the vessel involved in the marine accident.
2. When one case is pending in two (2) Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agencies or more, such a case shall be inquired by the Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency which firstly received the offer for the commencement of inquiry.
3. The jurisdiction over a case which occurs outside of the Japanese territory shall be provided for by a Cabinet Order.
(Transfer of a Case)
Article 20. When a Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency deems that a case does not fall under its jurisdiction, it shall transfer the case by means of a ruling to the competent Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency.
2. The Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency, to which a case has been transferred as prescribed in paragraph 1, shall not further transfer the case to another Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency.
3. In a case as prescribed in paragraph 1, the case shall be deemed as having been pending from the beginning in the Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency to which the case has been transferred.
