(1) Compensation is not payable to a person under this Act unless a claim for compensation is made by or on behalf of the person under this section.
(2) A claim shall be made by giving the relevant authority:
(a) a written claim in accordance with the form approved by the MRCC for the purposes of this paragraph; and
(b) except where the claim is for compensation under section 16 or 17--a certificate by a legally qualified medical practitioner in accordance with the form approved by the MRCC for the purposes of this paragraph.
(3) Where a written claim, other than a claim for compensation under section 16 or 17, is given to a relevant authority under paragraph (2)(a) and the claim is not accompanied by a certificate of the kind referred to in paragraph (2)(b), the claim shall be taken not to have been made until such a certificate is given to that authority.
(4) The MRCC must cause a copy of any claim it receives to be given to the Secretary of the Defence Department.
(5) Strict compliance with an approved form referred to in subsection (2) is not required and substantial compliance is sufficient.