Armed Forces Act 2006

2006 CHAPTER 52

First Group of Parts

Discipline
Second Group of Parts

Miscellaneous Matters
Third Group of Parts

General
1. Part 18
  
  Commanding Officer and Other Persons with Functions under Act
2. Part 19
  
  Supplementary

An Act to make provision with respect to the armed forces; and for connected purposes.

[8th November 2006]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

First Group of Parts Discipline

Part 1 Offences

Assisting an enemy, misconduct on operations etc

1 Assisting an enemy

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, without lawful excuse, he intentionally—

(a) communicates with an enemy;

(b) gives an enemy information that would or might be useful to the enemy;

(d) provides an enemy with any supplies; or

(e) harbours or protects an enemy other than a prisoner of war.

(2) A person subject to service law who has been captured by an enemy commits an offence if, without lawful excuse, he intentionally serves with or assists the enemy—

(a) in the prosecution of hostilities or of measures likely to influence morale; or

(b) in any other manner not authorised by international law.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence may be for life.

2 Misconduct on operations

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he—

(a) surrenders any place or thing to an enemy; or

(b) abandons any place or thing which it is his duty to defend against an enemy or to prevent from falling into the hands of an enemy.

(2) Subsections (3) to (5) apply to a person subject to service law who is—

(a) in the presence or vicinity of an enemy;

(b) engaged in an action or operation against an enemy; or

(3) A person to whom this subsection applies commits an offence if he fails to use his utmost exertions to carry out the lawful commands of his superior officers.

(4) A person to whom this subsection applies commits an offence if he is on guard duty and posted or ordered to patrol, or is on watch, and—

(a) without reasonable excuse, he sleeps; or

(b) (without having been regularly relieved) he leaves any place where it is his duty to be.

(5) A person to whom this subsection applies commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he intentionally communicates with a person who is—

(a) a member of any of Her Majesty’s forces or of any force co-operating with them, or

(b) a relevant civilian,

and the communication is likely to cause that person to become despondent or alarmed.

(6) In subsection (5) “relevant civilian” means a person who—

(a) is a civilian subject to service discipline; and

(b) is accompanying a person subject to service law who is—

(i) in the presence or vicinity of an enemy; or

(ii) engaged in an action or operation against an enemy.

(7) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence may be for life.

3 Obstructing operations

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he does an act that is likely to put at risk the success of an action or operation of any of Her Majesty’s forces; and

(b) he intends to prevent, or is reckless as to whether he prevents, the success of the action or operation.

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) without lawful excuse, he does an act that delays or discourages an action or operation of any of Her Majesty’s forces; and

(b) he intends to delay or discourage the action or operation.

(3) In this section “act” includes an omission and references to the doing of an act are to be read accordingly.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence—

(a) if the offence relates to an action or operation against an enemy, may be for life;

(b) otherwise, must not exceed ten years.

4 Looting

(1) A person within subsection (4) commits an offence if, without lawful excuse—

(a) he takes any property from a person who has been killed, injured, captured or detained in the course of an action or operation of any of Her Majesty’s forces or of any force co-operating with them; or

(b) he searches such a person with the intention of taking property from him.

(2) A person within subsection (4) commits an offence if, without lawful excuse—

(a) he takes any property which has been left exposed or unprotected in consequence of—

(i) an action or operation of any of Her Majesty’s forces or of any force co-operating with them; or

(ii) an event, or state of affairs, in relation to which such an action or operation is undertaken; or

(b) he searches any place or thing with the intention of taking property of a description mentioned in paragraph (a).

(3) A person within subsection (4) commits an offence if he takes otherwise than for the public service any vehicle, equipment or stores abandoned by an enemy.

(4) A person is within this subsection if he is—

(a) a person subject to service law; or

(b) a civilian subject to service discipline.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence—

(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1) or (2), may be for life;

(b) in the case of an offence under subsection (3), must not exceed seven years.

5 Failure to escape etc

(1) Subsections (2) and (3) apply to a person subject to service law who has been captured by an enemy.

(2) A person to whom this subsection applies commits an offence if—

(a) he is aware of steps that he could take to rejoin Her Majesty’s forces;

(b) he could reasonably be expected to take those steps; and

(3) A person to whom this subsection applies commits an offence if, without lawful excuse, he intentionally prevents or discourages another person subject to service law who has been captured by an enemy from taking any reasonable steps to rejoin Her Majesty’s forces.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, but any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence must not exceed ten years.

Mutiny

6 Mutiny

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he takes part in a mutiny.

(2) For the purposes of this section a person subject to service law takes part in a mutiny if—

(a) in concert with at least one other person subject to service law, he—

(i) acts with the intention of overthrowing or resisting authority; or

(ii) disobeys authority in such circumstances as to subvert discipline;

(b) he agrees with at least one other person subject to service law to overthrow or resist authority; or

(c) he agrees with at least one other person subject to service law to disobey authority, and the agreed disobedience would be such as to subvert discipline.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)—

(a) “authority” means lawful authority in any part of Her Majesty’s forces or of any force co-operating with them;

(b) the reference to acting includes omitting to act.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence may be for life.

7 Failure to suppress mutiny

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he knows that a mutiny is occurring or is intended; and

(b) he fails to take such steps as he could reasonably be expected to take to prevent or suppress it.

(2) For the purposes of this section a mutiny occurs when a person subject to service law, in concert with at least one other person subject to service law—

(a) acts with the intention of overthrowing or resisting authority; or

(b) disobeys authority in such circumstances as to subvert discipline.

Desertion and absence without leave

8 Desertion

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he deserts.

(2) For the purposes of this Act a person deserts if he is absent without leave and—

(a) he intends to remain permanently absent without leave; or

(b) he intends to avoid a period of active service.

(3) In this section “active service” means service in—

(a) an action or operation against an enemy;

(b) an operation outside the British Islands for the protection of life or property; or

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence—

(a) if the offender intended to avoid a period of active service, may be for life;

(b) otherwise, must not exceed two years.

9 Absence without leave

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if subsection (2) or (3) applies to him.

(2) This subsection applies to a person if he is intentionally or negligently absent without leave.

(3) This subsection applies to a person if—

(a) he does an act, being reckless as to whether it will cause him to be absent without leave; and

(b) it causes him to be absent without leave.

(4) In subsection (3) “act” includes an omission and the reference to the doing of an act is to be read accordingly.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, but any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence must not exceed two years.

10 Failure to cause apprehension of deserters or absentees

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he knows that another person—

(i) has committed, is committing or is attempting to commit an offence under section 8 (desertion); or

(ii) is committing or attempting to commit an offence under section 9 (absence without leave); and

(b) he fails to take such steps as he could reasonably be expected to take to cause that person to be apprehended.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, but any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence must not exceed two years.

Insubordination etc

11 Misconduct towards a superior officer

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he uses violence against a superior officer (“B”); and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that B is a superior officer.

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) his behaviour towards a superior officer (“B”) is threatening or disrespectful; and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that B is a superior officer.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) the behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) includes any communication made by A to B (whether or not in B’s presence);

(b) “threatening” behaviour is not limited to behaviour that threatens violence.

(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1), or an offence under subsection (2) of behaviour that is threatening, ten years;

(b) in any other case, two years.

12 Disobedience to lawful commands

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he disobeys a lawful command; and

(b) he intends to disobey, or is reckless as to whether he disobeys, the command.

13 Contravention of standing orders

(1) A person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, commits an offence if—

(a) he contravenes a lawful order to which this section applies; and

(b) he knows or could reasonably be expected to know of the order.

(2) This section applies to standing orders, and other routine orders of a continuing nature, of any of Her Majesty’s forces, made for any—

(a) part of Her Majesty’s forces;

(b) area or place; or

but paragraph (a) of this subsection does not apply in relation to a civilian subject to service discipline.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, but any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence must not exceed two years.

14 Using force against a sentry etc

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he uses force against a member of any of Her Majesty’s forces, or of any force co-operating with them, who is—

(i) on guard duty and posted or ordered to patrol;

(ii) on watch; or

(iii) under orders to regulate traffic by land, water or air; or

(b) by the threat of force he compels such a person to let him or any other person pass.

Neglect of duty and misconduct

15 Failure to attend for or perform duty etc

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he—

(a) fails to attend for any duty;

(b) leaves any duty before he is permitted to do so; or

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he performs any duty negligently.

16 Malingering

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, to avoid service—

(a) he pretends to have an injury;

(b) by any act he causes himself an injury;

(d) he causes another person to injure him.

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, at the request of another person subject to service law (“B”) and with the intention of enabling B to avoid service—

(a) by any act he causes B an injury; or

(b) by any act or omission he aggravates or prolongs any injury of B.

(3) In this section—

“injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition, and the reference to injuring is to be read accordingly;
“service” includes any particular duty or kind of duty.

17 Disclosure of information useful to an enemy

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) without lawful authority, he discloses information that would or might be useful to an enemy; and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information would or might be useful to an enemy.

18 Making false records etc

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he makes an official record, knowing that it is false in a material respect; and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the record is official.

(2) A person who adopts as his own a record made by another person is for the purposes of subsection (1) to be treated, as well as that other person, as making the record.

(3) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) with intent to deceive, he tampers with or suppresses an official document; and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the document is official.

(4) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) with intent to deceive, he fails to make a record which he is under a duty to make; and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the record would, if made, be official.

(5) For the purposes of this section—

(a) “record” means a document or an entry in a document;

(b) “document” means anything in which information is recorded;

(c) a record or document is official if it is or is likely to be made use of, in connection with the performance of his functions as such, by a person who holds office under the Crown or is in the service of the Crown.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, but any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence must not exceed two years.

19 Conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he does an act that is prejudicial to good order and service discipline.

(2) In this section “act” includes an omission and the reference to the doing of an act is to be read accordingly.

20 Unfitness or misconduct through alcohol or drugs

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, due to the influence of alcohol or any drug—

(a) he is unfit to be entrusted with his duty or any duty which he might reasonably expect to be called upon to perform; or

(b) his behaviour is disorderly or likely to bring discredit to Her Majesty’s forces.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the influence of a drug on a person (“A”) if—

(a) the drug was taken or administered on medical advice and A complied with any directions given as part of that advice;

(b) the drug was taken or administered for a medicinal purpose, and A had no reason to believe that the drug might impair his ability to carry out the duties mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (as the case may be) result in his behaving in a way mentioned in subsection (1)(b);

(d) the drug was administered to A on the orders of a superior officer of the person administering it.

(3) In this section—

(a) “drug” includes any intoxicant other than alcohol;

(b) a person’s “behaviour” includes anything said by him.

(4) In proceedings for an offence under this section, any paragraph of subsection (2) is to be treated as not having applied in relation to the defendant unless sufficient evidence is adduced to raise an issue as to whether it did.

21 Fighting or threatening behaviour etc

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he fights another person.

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) without reasonable excuse, his behaviour is—

(i) threatening, abusive, insulting or provocative; and

(ii) likely to cause a disturbance; and

(b) he intends to be, or is aware that his behaviour may be, threatening, abusive, insulting or provocative.

(3) For the purposes of this section a person’s “behaviour” includes anything said by him.

22 Ill-treatment of subordinates

(1) A person subject to service law who is an officer, warrant officer or non-commissioned officer commits an offence if—

(a) he ill-treats a subordinate (“B”);

(b) he intends to ill-treat B or is reckless as to whether he is ill-treating B; and

(2) For the purposes of this section a person (“B”) is a subordinate of another person (“A”) if—

(a) B is subject to service law; and

(b) A is a superior officer of B.

23 Disgraceful conduct of a cruel or indecent kind

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he does an act which is cruel or indecent; and

(b) his doing so is disgraceful.

(2) In this section “act” includes an omission and the reference to the doing of an act is to be read accordingly.

Property offences

24 Damage to or loss of public or service property

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he does an act that causes damage to or the loss of any public or service property or any property belonging to another person subject to service law; and

(b) either—

(i) he intends to cause damage to or the loss of the property, and there is no lawful excuse for his act; or

(ii) he is reckless as to whether he causes damage to or the loss of the property.

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) negligently, he does an act that causes damage to or the loss of any public or service property; or

(b) he does an act that is likely to cause damage to or the loss of any public or service property and—

(i) he is reckless as to whether he causes damage to or the loss of the property; or

(ii) he is negligent.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) “act” includes an omission and references to the doing of an act are to be read accordingly;

(b) references to causing include allowing;

(d) “property” means property of a tangible nature, and references to public or service property are to be read accordingly.

(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1), ten years;

(b) in the case of an offence under subsection (2), two years.

25 Misapplying or wasting public or service property

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he misapplies or wastes any public or service property.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in rows 2 to 12 of the Table in section 164.

26 Sections 24 and 25: “public property” and “service property”

(1) This section applies for the purposes of sections 24 and 25.

(2) “Public property” means property belonging to or held for the purposes of—

(a) a department of the Government of the United Kingdom;

(b) any part of the Scottish Administration;

(d) the National Assembly for Wales.

(3) “Service property” means property—

(a) belonging to or used for the purposes of any of Her Majesty’s forces;

(b) belonging to a Navy, Army and Air Force Institute; or

(c) belonging to an association established, or having effect as if established, under section 110 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (c. 14) (reserve associations).

Offences against service justice

27 Obstructing or failing to assist a service policeman

(1) A person within subsection (2) commits an offence if—

(a) he intentionally obstructs, or intentionally fails to assist when called upon to do so, a person who is—

(i) a service policeman acting in the course of his duty; or

(ii) a person subject to service law lawfully exercising authority on behalf of a provost officer; and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that that person is a service policeman or a person exercising authority on behalf of a provost officer.

(2) A person is within this subsection if he is—

(a) a person subject to service law; or

(b) a civilian subject to service discipline.

28 Resistance to arrest etc

(1) A person subject to service law (“A”) commits an offence if another person (“B”), in the exercise of a power conferred by or under this Act, orders A into arrest and—

(a) A disobeys the order;

(b) A uses violence against B; or

(2) A person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, commits an offence if—

(a) he uses violence against a person who has a duty to apprehend him, or his behaviour towards such a person is threatening; and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the person has a duty to apprehend him.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a person’s “behaviour” includes anything said by him;

(b) “threatening” behaviour is not limited to behaviour that threatens violence;

29 Offences in relation to service custody

(1) A person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, commits an offence if he escapes from lawful custody.

(2) A person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, commits an offence if—

(a) he uses violence against a person in whose lawful custody he is, or his behaviour towards such a person is threatening; and

(b) he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the custody is lawful.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) references to custody are to service custody;

(b) a person’s behaviour includes anything said by him;

30 Allowing escape, or unlawful release, of prisoners etc

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he knows that a person is committed to his charge, or that it is his duty to guard a person;

(b) he does an act that results in that person’s escape; and

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he knows that a person is committed to his charge;

(b) he releases that person without authority to do so; and

(3) In this section “act” includes an omission and the reference to the doing of an act is to be construed accordingly.

(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1) where the offender intended to allow the person to escape, or an offence under subsection (2) where the offender knew he had no authority to release the person, ten years;

(b) in any other case, two years.

Ships and aircraft

31 Hazarding of ship

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he does an act that causes the hazarding of any of Her Majesty’s ships and—

(a) he intends to cause damage to or the stranding or loss of the ship, and there is no lawful excuse for his act; or

(b) he is reckless as to whether he causes damage to or the stranding or loss of the ship.

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, negligently, he does an act that causes the hazarding of any of Her Majesty’s ships.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) “act” includes an omission and references to the doing of an act are to be read accordingly;

(b) references to causing include allowing;

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence—

(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1), may be for life;

(b) in the case of an offence under subsection (2), must not exceed two years.

32 Giving false air signals etc

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, without lawful excuse, he intentionally—

(a) gives a false air signal; or

(b) alters or interferes with an air signal or any equipment for giving an air signal.

(2) In this section “air signal” means a message, signal or indication given (by any means) for the guidance of aircraft or a particular aircraft.

33 Dangerous flying etc

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he does an act—

(i) when flying or using an aircraft, or

(ii) in relation to an aircraft or aircraft material,

that causes or is likely to cause loss of life or injury to any person; and

(b) either—

(i) he intends to cause loss of life or injury to any person, and there is no lawful excuse for his act; or

(ii) he is reckless as to whether he causes loss of life or injury to any person.

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, negligently, he does an act—

(a) when flying or using an aircraft, or

(b) in relation to an aircraft or aircraft material,

that causes or is likely to cause loss of life or injury to any person.

(3) In this section—

“act” includes an omission and the reference to the doing of an act is to be read accordingly;
“aircraft material” includes—

(a)

parts of and accessories for aircraft (whether or not for the time being in aircraft);

(b)

armaments in or for use in aircraft;

(c)

any other equipment or instrument in or for use in aircraft;

(d)

any equipment for use in connection with the taking-off or landing of aircraft or for detecting the movement of aircraft;

(e)

any fuel for the propulsion of aircraft; and

(f)

any lubricant for aircraft or for anything within any of paragraphs (a) to (d).

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence—

(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1), may be for life;

(b) in the case of an offence under subsection (2), must not exceed two years.

34 Low flying

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he flies an aircraft at a height less than the minimum height, other than—

(i) when taking off or landing; or

(ii) in any other circumstances prescribed by regulations made by the Defence Council; and

(b) he intends to fly, or is reckless as to whether he flies, the aircraft at a height less than the minimum height, or he is negligent.

(2) If a person flies an aircraft in contravention of subsection (1) on the orders of another person who is in command of the aircraft, that other person is for the purposes of this section to be treated as flying the aircraft.

(3) In this section “minimum height” means the height prescribed by regulations made by the Defence Council.

35 Annoyance by flying

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he flies an aircraft so as to annoy or be likely to annoy any person;

(b) he can reasonably avoid flying the aircraft as mentioned in paragraph (a); and

(c) he intends to fly, or is reckless as to whether he flies, the aircraft so as to annoy any person, or he is negligent.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in rows 3 to 12 of the Table in section 164.

36 Inaccurate certification

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he makes or signs a relevant certificate without having ensured its accuracy.

(2) In this section “relevant certificate” means a certificate (including an electronic certificate) relating to—

(a) any matter affecting the seagoing or fighting efficiency of any of Her Majesty’s ships;

(b) any of Her Majesty’s aircraft;

(d) any equipment of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Defence Council.

(3) In subsection (2)—

“Her Majesty’s ships” has the meaning given by section 31;
“Her Majesty’s aircraft” means all aircraft belonging to or used for the purposes of any of Her Majesty’s forces;
“aircraft material” has the meaning given by section 33.

37 Prize offences by officer in command of ship or aircraft

(1) A person subject to service law who, while in command of any of Her Majesty’s ships or aircraft, takes any ship or aircraft as prize commits an offence if he unlawfully fails to ensure that all the ship papers or aircraft papers found on board are sent to a prize court of competent jurisdiction.

(2) A person subject to service law who, while in command of any of Her Majesty’s ships or aircraft, takes any ship, aircraft or goods as prize commits an offence if he unlawfully fails to ensure that—

(a) the ship is brought to a convenient port for adjudication;

(b) the aircraft is brought to a convenient airfield for adjudication; or

(3) In this section—

“Her Majesty’s ships” and “Her Majesty’s aircraft” have the meanings given (respectively) by sections 31 and 36;
“prize court” means a prize court within the meaning of the Naval Prize Act 1864 (c. 25);
“ship papers” and “aircraft papers” have the meanings given by section 2 of that Act.

38 Other prize offences

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a) he ill-treats a person who is on board a ship or aircraft when it is taken as prize; or

(b) he unlawfully takes anything in the possession of such a person.

(2) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he unloads, unpacks or otherwise interferes with any goods that are on board a ship or aircraft which has been taken as prize, unless—

(a) the goods have been adjudged by a prize court (within the meaning of the Naval Prize Act 1864 (c. 25)) to be lawful prize; or

(b) the goods are removed for safe keeping or for necessary use by any of Her Majesty’s forces or any force co-operating with them.

(3) A person subject to service law commits an offence if, without lawful excuse, he unloads, unpacks or otherwise interferes with any goods that are on board a ship or aircraft that has been detained in exercise of a belligerent right or under an enactment.

Attempts, incitement, and aiding and abetting

39 Attempts

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he attempts to commit an offence to which this subsection applies.

(2) Subsection (1) applies to any service offence except—

(a) an offence committed by virtue of section 41 (aiding and abetting);

(b) an offence under this section or section 42.

(3) A civilian subject to service discipline commits an offence if he attempts to commit an offence to which this subsection applies.

(4) Subsection (3) applies to—

(a) an offence under section 4, 13, 27, 28(2), 29, 107 or 306 of this Act or under section 18 or 20 of the Armed Forces Act 1991 (c. 62); and

(b) an offence under section 40 of inciting another person to commit an offence mentioned in paragraph (a).

(5) For the purposes of this section a person attempts to commit an offence if, with intent to commit the offence, he does an act which is more than merely preparatory to the commission of the offence.

(6) For those purposes, a person may attempt to commit an offence even though the facts are such that the commission of the offence is impossible.

(7) Where—

(a) apart from this subsection a person’s intention would not be regarded as having amounted to an intent to commit an offence, but

(b) if the facts of the case had been as he believed them to be his intention would be so regarded,

then for the purposes of this section he shall be regarded as having had an intent to commit that offence.

(8) Where in proceedings for an offence under this section there is evidence sufficient in law to support a finding that the defendant did an act falling within subsection (5), the question whether his act fell within that subsection is a question of fact.

(9) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to the same punishment as he would be liable to if guilty of the offence attempted.

40 Incitement

(1) A person subject to service law commits an offence if he incites another person to commit an offence to which this subsection applies.

(2) Subsection (1) applies to any service offence except an offence under section 42.

(3) A civilian subject to service discipline commits an offence if he incites another person to commit an offence mentioned in section 39(4).

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to the same punishment as he would be liable to if guilty of the offence incited.

41 Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring

(1) Where a person subject to service law aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of an offence to which this subsection applies, he commits that offence.

(2) Subsection (1) applies to any service offence except an offence under section 42.

(3) A person who by virtue of subsection (1) commits an offence is liable to be charged, tried (including dealt with at a summary hearing) and punished as a principal offender.

(4) Where a civilian subject to service discipline aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of an offence mentioned in section 39(4), he commits that offence and is liable to be charged, tried and punished as a principal offender.

Criminal conduct

42 Criminal conduct

(1) A person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, commits an offence under this section if he does any act that—

(a) is punishable by the law of England and Wales; or

(b) if done in England or Wales, would be so punishable.

(2) A person may be charged with an offence under this section even if he could on the same facts be charged with a different service offence.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to—

(a) if the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is under that law an offence punishable with imprisonment, any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164;

(b) otherwise, any punishment mentioned in rows 5 to 12 of that Table.

(4) Any sentence of imprisonment or fine imposed in respect of an offence under this section must not exceed—

(a) if the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is a summary offence, the maximum term of imprisonment or fine that could be imposed by a magistrates' court on summary conviction;

(b) if that corresponding offence is an indictable offence, the maximum sentence of imprisonment or fine that could be imposed by the Crown Court on conviction on indictment.

(5) In subsection (4) “a summary offence” and “an indictable offence” mean, respectively, a summary offence under the law of England and Wales and an indictable offence under that law.

(6) In this section and sections 45 to 49 “act” includes an omission and references to the doing of an act are to be read accordingly.

(7) In subsections (1) and (8) and sections 45 to 49 “punishable” means punishable with a criminal penalty.

(8) In this Act “the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales”, in relation to an offence under this section, means—

(a) the act constituting the offence under this section; or

(b) if that act is not punishable by the law of England and Wales, the equivalent act done in England or Wales.

43 Attempting criminal conduct

(1) Subsection (2) applies for the purpose of determining whether an attempt is an offence under section 42.

(2) For that purpose section 1(4) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c. 47) (offences that it is an offence to attempt) has effect as if for the words from “offence which” to “other than” there were substituted “offence under section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 consisting of an act punishable by the law of England and Wales as an indictable offence or an act that, if done in England or Wales, would be so punishable by that law; but “indictable offence” here does not include”.

(3) Section 42(6) applies for the purposes of section 1(4) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 as modified by this section.

44 Trial of section 42 offence of attempt

(1) Where, in proceedings for a section 42 offence of attempt, there is evidence sufficient in law to support a finding that the defendant did an act falling within subsection (1) of section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981, the question whether his act fell within that subsection is a question of fact.

(2) In this section “a section 42 offence of attempt” means an offence under section 42 consisting of an act that is, or that would be if done in England or Wales, an offence under section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c. 47).

(3) References in subsections (1) and (2) to section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 are to that provision as it has effect by virtue of section 43 above.

45 Conspiring to commit criminal conduct

(1) For the purpose of determining whether an agreement that a course of conduct be pursued is an offence under section 42—

(a) sections 1(1) and 2 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45) (conspiracy) have effect as if any reference to an offence included a reference to an act that, if done in England or Wales, would be punishable by the law of England and Wales; and

(b) section 1(2) of that Act has effect as if it read—

“(2) Where liability for any offence may be incurred without knowledge on the part of the person committing it of any particular fact or circumstance necessary for the commission of it, a person is nevertheless not guilty by virtue of subsection (1) above of conspiracy to commit—

(a) that offence, or

(b) an act that would amount to that offence if done in England or Wales,

unless he and at least one other party to the agreement intend or know that that fact or circumstance shall or will exist at the time when the conduct constituting the offence, or the act, is to take place.”

(2) Section 42(6) applies for the purposes of section 1(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 as substituted by this section.

46 Inciting criminal conduct

(1) Subsection (2) applies if a person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, incites another person to do any act that if done in England or Wales would be punishable by the law of England and Wales.

(2) Regardless of where the inciter intended the act to be done, the incitement shall be treated for the purposes of section 42(1) as an act that is punishable by the law of England and Wales.

47 Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring criminal conduct

(1) Subsection (2) applies if—

(a) any person (“A”) does an act that is punishable by the law of England and Wales or would be so punishable if done in England or Wales; and

(b) a person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, aids, abets, counsels or procures A’s doing of that act.

(2) Regardless of where the act aided, abetted, counselled or procured was done, the aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring shall be treated for the purposes of section 42(1) as an act that is punishable by the law of England and Wales.

(3) For the purpose of determining whether an attempt is an act that falls within subsection (1)(a) above, section 1(4) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c. 47) has effect with the modification made by section 43.

48 Provision supplementary to sections 43 to 47

(1) This section applies where—

(a) an attempt, agreement or incitement, or a person’s aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring, is an offence under section 42 by reason of section 43, 45, 46 or 47; and

(b) the act to which it relates (“the contemplated act”) is not an act that is (or that if done would have been) punishable by the law of England and Wales.

(2) For the following purposes it shall be assumed that the contemplated act amounted to the offence under the law of England and Wales that it would have amounted to if it had been the equivalent act in England or Wales.

(3) Those purposes are—

(a) the purpose of determining what punishment may be imposed for the offence under section 42;

(b) the purpose of determining for the purposes of any of the following provisions of this Act whether the act constituting the offence under section 42, or the equivalent act done in England or Wales, is or would be—

(i) an offence under the law of England and Wales;

(ii) any particular such offence;

(iii) such an offence of any particular description.

49 Air Navigation Order offences

(1) If a person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, does in or in relation to a military aircraft any act that if done in or in relation to a civil aircraft would amount to a prescribed Air Navigation Order offence, the act shall be treated for the purposes of section 42(1) as punishable by the law of England and Wales.

(2) Where an act is an offence under section 42 by reason of subsection (1) above—

(a) section 42(8)(b) does not apply; and

(b) it shall be assumed for the following purposes that the act amounted to the offence under the law of England and Wales that it would have amounted to if it had been done in or in relation to a civil aircraft.

(3) Those purposes are—

(a) the purpose of determining what punishment may be imposed for the offence under section 42;

(b) the purpose of determining for the purposes of any of the following provisions of this Act whether the act constituting the offence under section 42 is—

(i) an offence under the law of England and Wales;

(ii) any particular such offence;

(iii) such an offence of any particular description.

(4) In this section—

“military aircraft” has the meaning given by section 92 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (c. 16);
“civil aircraft” means an aircraft that is registered in the United Kingdom and is not a military aircraft;
“Air Navigation Order offence” means an offence under an Order in Council made under section 60 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (whenever made, and whether or not also made under any other enactment);
“prescribed” means prescribed by an order made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

Part 2 Jurisdiction and Time Limits

Chapter 1 Jurisdiction

Court Martial

50 Jurisdiction of the Court Martial

(1) The Court Martial has jurisdiction to try any service offence.

(2) In this Act “service offence” means—

(a) any offence under Part 1;

(b) an offence under section 107 (breach of requirement imposed on release from custody);

(d) an offence under section 266 (failure to comply with financial statement order);

(e) any offence under Chapter 1 of Part 13 (testing for alcohol and drugs);

(f) any offence under regulations under section 328 (false answer during enlistment in a regular force) or section 343 (service inquiries) that the regulations provide is a service offence;

(g) an offence under section 18 or 20 of the Armed Forces Act 1991 (c. 62) (orders for the protection of children);

(h) an offence under any of sections 95 to 97 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (c. 14) (reserve forces offences); or

(i) an offence under paragraph 5(1) of Schedule 1 to that Act (false answer during enlistment in a reserve force) committed by a person within paragraph 5(3) of that Schedule.

Service Civilian Court

51 Jurisdiction of the Service Civilian Court

(1) The Service Civilian Court has jurisdiction to try any service offence committed outside the British Islands by a civilian, except an offence within subsection (3) or an offence in relation to which subsection (6) applies.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) an offence is committed by a civilian if it is committed by a person who, at the time when it is committed, is a civilian subject to service discipline.

(3) The offences within this subsection are—

(a) an indictable-only offence under section 42;

(b) an offence under section 266 committed in respect of a financial statement order made by a court other than the Service Civilian Court;

(d) an offence within section 50(2)(h) or (i) (Reserve Forces Act offences).

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(a) an offence under section 42 is “indictable-only” if the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is under that law an offence which, if committed by an adult, is triable only on indictment; but this is subject to subsection (5).

(5) Where the defendant is aged under 18 at the time a decision under section 279 is made, an offence under section 42 is “indictable-only” for the purposes of subsection (3)(a) above if (and only if)—

(a) the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is murder, manslaughter or an offence under section 5 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28) (causing or allowing death of child etc); or

(b) section 227 (firearms offences) would apply if the accused were convicted by the Court Martial of the offence under section 42.

(6) This subsection applies in relation to an offence if the defendant is for the time being—

(a) a member of the regular or reserve forces; or

(b) liable to recall.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6) a person is “liable to recall” if—

(a) under section 65(1) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (c. 14) he is liable to be recalled for service; or

(b) he is liable to be recalled as mentioned in section 35(1) of the Reserve Forces Act 1980 (c. 9).

Commanding officers

52 Charges capable of being heard summarily

(1) A charge against a person (“the accused”) in respect of an offence is capable of being heard summarily if (and only if) conditions A to C are met.

(2) Condition A is that the offence is one that may be dealt with at a summary hearing (see section 53).

(3) Condition B is that the accused is—

(a) an officer of or below the rank of commander, lieutenant-colonel or wing commander; or

(b) a person of or below the rank or rate of warrant officer.

(4) Condition C is (subject to subsections (5) and (6)) that the accused is—

(a) subject to service law,

(b) a member of a volunteer reserve force, or

from the time the offence is committed to the end of the summary hearing of the charge.

(5) If the offence is one under section 96(1) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (c. 14) committed by virtue of section 96(2) of that Act, condition C is that the accused is—

(a) liable to recall, or

(b) a member of the regular forces,

from the time the offence is committed to the end of the summary hearing of the charge.

(6) If the offence is any other Reserve Forces Act offence, condition C is that the accused is a member of a reserve force from the time the offence is committed to the end of the summary hearing of the charge.

(7) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a person is “liable to recall” if—

(i) under section 65(1) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 he is liable to be recalled for service; or

(ii) he is liable to be recalled as mentioned in section 35(1) of the Reserve Forces Act 1980 (c. 9);

(b) “Reserve Forces Act offence” means an offence within section 53(1)(k).

(8) Where at any time it falls to a person to determine for the purposes of any provision of this Act whether a charge is or would be capable of being heard summarily, the references in subsections (4) to (6) to the end of the summary hearing of the charge are to be read as references to that time.

53 Offences that may be dealt with at a summary hearing

(1) The following service offences may be dealt with at a summary hearing—

(a) an offence under section 4(3);

(b) an offence under any of sections 9 to 15;

(d) an offence under any of sections 17 to 29;

(e) an offence under section 30(1) of negligently doing an act that results in a person’s escape, or an offence under section 30(2);

(f) an offence under any of sections 34 to 36;

(g) an offence under section 42 (criminal conduct) within subsection (3);

(h) an offence under section 107;

(i) an offence under Chapter 1 of Part 13;

(j) any service offence under regulations under section 328 or 343;

(k) an offence under section 96 or 97 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 of absence without leave.

(2) Any reference in a paragraph of subsection (1), except paragraph (g), to an offence includes an offence under section 39 of attempting to commit that offence.

(3) An offence under section 42 is within this subsection if the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is—

(a) an offence listed in either Part of Schedule 1 (criminal conduct offences that may be dealt with at a summary hearing); or

(b) an offence under section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c. 47) of attempting to commit an (indictable) offence so listed.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order amend Schedule 1.

54 Charges which may be heard summarily only with permission or by senior officer

(1) An officer may not hear summarily a charge in respect of an offence within subsection (2) unless—

(a) he has obtained the permission of higher authority; or

(b) he is of or above the rank of rear admiral, major-general or air vice-marshal.

(2) An offence is within this subsection if it is an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is—

(a) an offence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1; or

(b) an offence under section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 of attempting to commit an (indictable) offence so listed.

Chapter 2 Time Limits for Commencing Proceedings

Time limits for offences other than Reserve Forces Act offences

55 Time limit for charging former member of a regular or reserve force

(1) This section applies where a person ceases to be a member of a regular or reserve force.

(2) The person may not, after the end of six months beginning with the date he ceased to be a member of that force, be charged with a service offence committed while he was a member.

(3) Subsection (2) applies even if the person rejoins the force within those six months.

56 Time limit for charging certain members or former members of ex-regular reserve forces

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a person, while a member of an ex-regular reserve force, has been subject to an additional duties commitment; and

(b) the person ceases to be subject to the commitment.

(2) The person may not, after the end of six months beginning with the date he ceased to be subject to the commitment, be charged with a service offence committed while he was so subject.

57 Time limit for charging person formerly subject to service law

(1) This section applies where a person ceases to be subject to service law.

(2) The person may not, after the end of six months beginning with the date he ceased to be subject to service law, be charged with a service offence committed while he was so subject.

(3) Subsection (2) applies even if the person (again) becomes subject to service law within those six months.

(4) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to an offence committed by a person when he was—

(a) a member of a volunteer reserve force; or

(b) a member of an ex-regular reserve force who was subject to an additional duties commitment.

58 Time limit for charging civilian formerly subject to service discipline

(1) Subsection (2) applies in any case where a person ceases to be a civilian subject to service discipline, except a case where at the time he does so he becomes subject to service law.

(2) Where this subsection applies—

(a) the person may not, after the end of six months beginning with the date he ceased to be a civilian subject to service discipline, be charged with a service offence committed while he was such a civilian; and

(b) this applies even if he (again) becomes such a civilian within those six months.

(3) Where a person ceases to be a civilian subject to service discipline and at the time he does so becomes subject to service law, section 57 has effect as if—

(a) the reference in subsection (2) to a service offence committed while the person was subject to service law included a service offence committed during the relevant period; and

(b) the reference in subsection (3) to becoming subject to service law included becoming a civilian subject to service discipline.

(4) In subsection (3)(a) above “the relevant period” means the period while the person was a civilian subject to service discipline that ended with his becoming subject to service law.

(5) Subsection (6) applies to a person—

(a) who ceases to be a civilian subject to service discipline by reason only of—

(i) leaving an area designated for the purposes of Schedule 15;

(ii) entering the British Islands; or

(iii) leaving an area which a designation under paragraph 7 of Schedule 15 specifies as an area that he must be in for the designation to apply to him; and

(b) who is residing or staying in a qualifying place at the time he does so.

(6) As regards that time, and for so long after that time as he continues—

(a) to reside or stay in a qualifying place, and

(b) to be a person who is not a civilian subject to service discipline but who would be such a civilian if he were in a qualifying place,

he is to be treated for the purposes of this section (apart from subsection (5)) as being such a civilian.

(7) In subsections (5) and (6) “in a qualifying place” means—

(a) in relation to a person who falls within subsection (5)(a) by reason of leaving an area designated for the purposes of Schedule 15, in any such area;

(b) in relation to a person who falls within subsection (5)(a) by reason of entering the British Islands, outside the British Islands;

(c) in relation to a person who falls within subsection (5)(a) by reason of leaving an area mentioned in subsection (5)(a)(iii), in that area.

59 Time limit for charging offence under section 107

(1) A person may not be charged with an offence under section 107 (breach of requirement imposed on release from custody) after the end of whichever of the following periods ends last—

(a) six months beginning with the date of commission of the offence;

(b) two months beginning with the date the person is apprehended.

(2) Where subsection (1) prohibits the charging of a person with an offence, the power under section 123(2)(c) or 125(2)(c) may not be exercised so as to charge that person with that offence.

60 Time limit for charging offence under section 266

A person may not be charged with an offence under section 266 (failure to comply with financial statement order) after the end of whichever of the following periods ends first—

(a) two years beginning with the date of commission of the offence;

(b) six months beginning with the date the offence becomes known to a member of the Service Prosecuting Authority.

61 Sections 55 to 60: exceptions and interpretation

(1) References in sections 55 to 60 and this section to charging (except the second such reference in section 59(2)) are to charging under section 120 or 122.

(2) Where any of sections 55 to 58 prohibits the charging of a person with an offence, the person may be charged with the offence if the Attorney General consents.

(3) Each of sections 55 to 60 is without prejudice to the rest of those sections.

(4) Nothing in those sections applies in relation to a Reserve Forces Act offence (as defined by section 62).

Time limit for Reserve Forces Act offences

62 Time limit for charging Reserve Forces Act offences

(1) A person may not be charged with a Reserve Forces Act offence after the end of whichever of the following periods ends last—

(a) six months beginning with the date of commission of the offence;

(b) two months beginning with the date the offence becomes known to the person’s commanding officer;

(d) if the offence was committed when the person was a relevant reservist, six months beginning with the date he ceases to be a relevant reservist.

(2) If—

(a) the offence was committed when the person was a relevant reservist, and

(b) he ceases to be a relevant reservist after committing it,

the period in subsection (1)(d) is not extended by his (again) becoming a relevant reservist within the six months beginning with the date he so ceased.

(3) In this section—

(a) the reference in subsection (1) to charging is to charging under section 120 or 122;

(b) “Reserve Forces Act offence” means an offence within section 50(2)(h) or (i);

(i) a member of a volunteer reserve force; or

(ii) a member of an ex-regular reserve force who is in full-time service or subject to an additional duties commitment;

(d) “in full-time service” means in such service under a commitment entered into under section 24 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (c. 14).

(4) Where subsection (1) prohibits the charging (as defined by subsection (3)(a)) of a person with an offence, the power under section 123(2)(c) or 125(2)(c) may not be exercised so as to charge that person with that offence.

Chapter 3 Double Jeopardy

63 Service proceedings barring subsequent service proceedings

(1) This section applies where a person—

(a) has been convicted or acquitted of a service offence; or

(b) has had a service offence taken into consideration when being sentenced;

and in this section “offence A” means the offence mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).

(2) The Court Martial may not try that person for an offence (“offence B”) if—

(a) offence B is the same offence in law as offence A, or subsection (3) applies; and

(b) the alleged facts on which the charge in respect of offence B is based are the same, or substantially the same, as those on which the charge in respect of offence A was based.

(3) This subsection applies if—

(a) the person was convicted of offence A, or offence A was taken into consideration, and offence B is an offence all of whose elements are elements of offence A;

(b) the person was acquitted of offence A and offence B is an offence whose elements include all the elements of offence A; or

(c) the person was convicted or acquitted of offence A by the Court Martial or the Service Civilian Court and offence B is an offence of which under section 161 (alternative offences) he could have been convicted on acquittal of offence A.

(4) Where offence A is an offence taken into consideration which was not charged, the reference in subsection (2)(b) to the facts on which the charge in respect of offence A was based is to be read as a reference to the facts on which a charge in respect of offence A would have been based.

(5) Where by reason of this section a person cannot be tried by the Court Martial for an offence—

(a) the Service Civilian Court may not try him for that offence; and

(b) a charge against him in respect of that offence may not be heard summarily by an officer.

64 Service proceedings barring subsequent civilian proceedings

(1) This section applies where a person—

(a) has been convicted or acquitted of an offence under section 42 (criminal conduct); or

(b) has had such an offence taken into consideration when being sentenced.

(2) A civilian court in a relevant territory may not try that person for any offence for which, under the law of that territory, it would be debarred from trying him if he had been convicted or (as the case may be) acquitted by a court in England and Wales of the relevant offence.

(3) “The relevant offence” means the offence under the law of England and Wales which the act (or alleged act) constituting the offence under section 42 amounted to.

(4) Where that act (or alleged act) would amount to an offence under the law of England and Wales if it had been done in England or Wales, for the purposes of subsection (3) it shall be assumed to amount to that offence.

(5) In this section “relevant territory” means—

(a) England and Wales;

(b) Scotland;

(d) the Isle of Man.

(6) In this section “act” includes an omission and references to the doing of an act are to be read accordingly.

65 Sections 63 and 64: supplementary

(1) If a direction under section 127(1) or (2) has been made in relation to an offence, the person to whom the direction relates shall be treated—

(a) for the purposes of section 63, and

(b) in the case of a direction under section 127(2), for the purposes of section 64,

as if he had been acquitted of the offence.

(2) The reference in subsection (1)(a) above to section 63 does not include subsection (3)(c) of that section.

(3) For the purposes of sections 63 and 64 a person shall be taken not to have had an offence taken into consideration when being sentenced if the sentence has been quashed.

66 Civilian proceedings barring subsequent service proceedings

(1) The Court Martial may not try a person for an offence under section 42 (criminal conduct) if the act constituting the offence amounts to an offence under the law of England and Wales for which a civilian court in England and Wales would on the ground of autrefois acquit or autrefois convict be debarred from trying him.

(2) The Court Martial may not try a person for a non-criminal service offence (that is, a service offence not under section 42) if—

(a) any act constituting an element of the offence amounts to an offence under the law of England and Wales (“offence X”); and

(b) a civilian court in England and Wales would on the ground of autrefois acquit be debarred from trying the person for offence X.

(3) Where an act constituting—

(a) an offence under section 42, or

(b) an element of a non-criminal service offence,

would amount to an offence under the law of England and Wales if it had been done in England or Wales, it shall be assumed for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2) to amount to that offence.

(4) Where a civilian court (anywhere) has taken an offence into consideration in sentencing a person and the sentence has not been quashed, the person shall be treated for the purposes of subsection (1) as having been convicted by that court of that offence.

(5) Where by reason of this section a person cannot be tried by the Court Martial for an offence—

(a) the Service Civilian Court may not try him for that offence; and

(b) a charge against him in respect of that offence may not be heard summarily by an officer.

(6) This section does not apply in any case where the question whether a person can be tried for an offence (or dealt with summarily for it) is determined by section 63.

(7) In this section “act” includes an omission and references to the doing of an act are to be read accordingly.

Part 3 Powers of Arrest, Search and Entry

Chapter 1 Arrest etc

Powers of arrest

67 Power of arrest for service offence

(1) A person who is reasonably suspected of being engaged in committing, or of having committed, a service offence may be arrested in accordance with subsection (2), (3), (4) or (5) by a person subject to service law.

(2) An officer may be arrested under subsection (1)—

(a) by an officer of superior rank or, if engaged in a mutiny, quarrel or disorder, by an officer of any rank;

(b) by a service policeman; or

(3) A person of or below the rank or rate of warrant officer may be arrested under subsection (1)—

(a) by an officer;

(b) by a warrant officer or non-commissioned officer of superior rank or rate;

(d) by a person who is lawfully exercising authority on behalf of a provost officer; or

(e) if a member of a ship’s company or an embarked force, by a person exercising authority as a member of the staff of the officer of the day.

(4) A civilian subject to service discipline may be arrested under subsection (1)—

(a) by an officer;

(b) by a service policeman; or

(5) Where none of subsections (2) to (4) applies in relation to the person to be arrested, that person may be arrested under subsection (1) by a service policeman.

(6) The power of arrest conferred on any person by this section may be exercised—

(a) personally;

(b) by giving orders for the arrest of the person who is to be arrested; or

68 Section 67: supplementary

(1) In section 67(2)(a) the reference to being engaged in a mutiny is a reference to committing an offence under section 6.

(2) For the purposes of section 67(3), a person who—

(a) is suspected of having committed a service offence while a member of Her Majesty’s forces, and

(b) is not a member of Her Majesty’s forces or a civilian subject to service discipline,

is to be treated in relation to the offence as being of the rank or rate which he held when he was last a member of Her Majesty’s forces.

(3) For the purposes of section 67(4), a person who—

(a) is suspected of having committed a service offence while a civilian subject to service discipline, and

(b) is not a member of Her Majesty’s forces or a civilian subject to service discipline,

is to be treated in relation to the offence as if he were a civilian subject to service discipline.

(4) Where a person may be charged (within the meaning of section 61(1)) with an offence only with the consent of the Attorney General (see section 61(2)), section 67(1) has effect in relation to the offence as if for the words from “in accordance with” to the end there were substituted “by a service policeman” (and as if section 67(2) to (5) were omitted).

69 Power of arrest in anticipation of commission of service offence

(1) A service policeman may arrest a person whom he reasonably suspects of being about to commit a service offence.

(2) Subsection (6) of section 67 applies in relation to the power of arrest conferred by this section as it applies in relation to the power of arrest conferred by that section.

(3) Where a person is arrested under this section—

(a) the arrest must be reported as soon as practicable to his commanding officer; and

(b) he may be kept in service custody until such time as a service policeman is satisfied that the risk of his committing the service offence concerned has passed.

Search on arrest

70 Search by service policeman upon arrest

(1) A service policeman may search an arrested person if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may present a danger to himself or others.

(2) A service policeman may search an arrested person for anything that is subject to search if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may have any such thing concealed on him.

(3) For the purposes of this section a thing is “subject to search” if—

(a) the arrested person might use it to assist him to escape from service custody; or

(b) in the case of an arrest under section 67 or 69, it might be evidence relating to a service offence.

(4) References in this section to an arrested person are to a person arrested under section 67, 69, 110, 111 or 303.

71 Search by other persons upon arrest

(1) A person (other than a service policeman) who is exercising a power of arrest may search the arrested person if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may present a danger to himself or others.

(2) Subsection (4) (power to search arrested person for things subject to search) applies where—

(a) a person (“the arrested person”) is to be or has been arrested by a person other than a service policeman; and

(b) the commanding officer of the arrested person has reasonable grounds for believing that it is likely that that person would—

(i) escape from service custody, or

(ii) conceal, damage, alter or destroy evidence,

if a search for things subject to search could not be carried out before the earliest time by which it would be practicable to obtain the assistance mentioned in subsection (3).

(3) That assistance is—

(a) the assistance of a service policeman; or

(b) in a case where corresponding powers conferred by section 32(2)(a) of PACE or any other enactment are exercisable by a member of a UK police force, the assistance of a member of such a force who is capable of exercising those corresponding powers.

(4) Where this subsection applies, the commanding officer of the arrested person may order or authorise the person exercising the power of arrest to search the arrested person, on or after exercising the power, for anything that is subject to search.

(5) A commanding officer may give an order under subsection (4) only if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may have concealed on him anything that is subject to search.

(6) A person authorised under subsection (4) may exercise the power of search conferred by that subsection only if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may have concealed on him anything that is subject to search.

(7) Section 70(3) (meaning of things “subject to search”) applies for the purposes of this section.

(8) References in this section to arrest are to arrest under section 67, 110 or 111, and related expressions in this section are to be read accordingly.

(9) The Defence Council may by regulations provide for the delegation by a commanding officer of his functions under this section.

72 Sections 70 and 71: supplementary

(1) A person exercising the power conferred by section 70(2), or ordered or authorised under section 71(4), may search the arrested person only to the extent that is reasonably required for the purpose of discovering anything that is subject to search (within the meaning of those sections).

(2) Nothing in section 70 or 71 authorises anyone to require an arrested person to remove any of his clothing in public other than an outer coat, jacket, headgear or gloves.

(3) The reference in subsection (2) to headgear does not include headgear worn for religious reasons.

(4) Any power of search conferred by section 70 or 71 authorises the search of the arrested person’s mouth.

73 Seizure and retention after search upon arrest

(1) A person exercising the power conferred by section 70(1) or 71(1) may seize and retain anything he finds, if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the person searched might use it to cause physical injury to himself or to any other person.

(2) A person exercising the power conferred by section 70(2), or ordered or authorised under section 71(4), may seize and retain anything he finds, other than an item subject to legal privilege, if he has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that the person searched might use it to assist him to escape from service custody; or

(b) in the case of an arrest under section 67 or 69, that it is evidence of a service offence or has been obtained in consequence of the commission of a service offence.

(3) In subsection (2) “item subject to legal privilege” has the meaning given by section 10 of PACE.

74 Power to make provision conferring power to search premises at which person arrested

The Secretary of State may by order make provision, in relation to premises in which a person was when or immediately before he was arrested under section 67, which is equivalent to that made by any of the provisions of section 32 of PACE which relate to the power to enter and search premises, subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Chapter 2 Stop and Search

75 Power of service policeman to stop and search persons, vehicles etc

(1) A service policeman may, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) and in a place permitted by section 78, search any of the following for stolen or prohibited articles, controlled drugs or Her Majesty’s stores—

(a) any person who is, or whom the service policeman has reasonable grounds for believing to be, a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline;

(b) a service vehicle which is in the charge of any person;

(c) any vehicle which is, or which the service policeman has reasonable grounds for believing to be, in the charge of a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline;

(d) anything which is in or on a service vehicle or a vehicle within paragraph (c).

(2) The circumstances are that the service policeman has reasonable grounds for suspecting—

(a) that the search will reveal stolen or prohibited articles;

(b) that the search will reveal Her Majesty’s stores that have been unlawfully obtained;

(c) in the case of the search of a person, that the person is in possession of a controlled drug in circumstances in which he commits an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38); or

(d) in the case of the search of a vehicle, that the search will reveal a controlled drug that is in a person’s possession in such circumstances.

(3) A service policeman may detain for the purposes of a search under subsection (1)—

(a) any person who is, or whom the service policeman has reasonable grounds for believing to be, a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline;

(b) any person in charge of a service vehicle;

(d) any vehicle within subsection (1)(c).

(4) A service policeman may seize any article that he discovers in the course of a search under subsection (1) and that he has reasonable grounds for suspecting to be—

(a) a stolen or prohibited article;

(b) evidence of an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; or

76 Stop and search by persons other than service policemen

(1) An officer may order or authorise a person subject to service law (other than a service policeman)—

(a) to search, in a place permitted by section 78—

(i) a person within subsection (2),

(ii) a vehicle in the charge of such a person, or

(iii) anything which is in or on such a vehicle,

for stolen or prohibited articles, controlled drugs or Her Majesty’s stores;

(b) to detain such a person or vehicle for the purposes of such a search; and

(c) to seize any article that he discovers in the course of such a search and that he has reasonable grounds for suspecting to be an article within section 75(4)(a) to (c);

but this is subject to subsections (3) to (7).

(2) A person is within this subsection if he is—

(a) a person subject to service law whose commanding officer is the officer mentioned in subsection (1);

(b) a civilian subject to service discipline whose commanding officer is that officer;

(i) that officer (in the case of an order under subsection (1)), or

(ii) the authorised person (in the case of an authorisation under that subsection),

has reasonable grounds for believing to be a person within paragraph (a) or (b).

(3) An order under subsection (1) may be given only in relation to a particular person or vehicle.

(4) An officer may give an order under subsection (1) only in the circumstances mentioned in section 75(2) (references to the service policeman being read as references to the officer).

(5) A person authorised under subsection (1) may exercise the power of search conferred by virtue of that subsection only in the circumstances mentioned in section 75(2) (references to the service policeman being read as references to the authorised person).

(6) An officer may give an order or authorisation under subsection (1) only if he has reasonable grounds for believing that it is likely that—

(a) an offence under section 42 would be committed, or

(b) a person who has committed such an offence would avoid apprehension,

if the powers conferred by this section could not be exercised before the earliest time by which it would be practicable to obtain the assistance mentioned in subsection (7).

(7) That assistance is—

(a) the assistance of a service policeman; or

(b) in a case where corresponding powers conferred by section 1 of PACE or any other enactment are exercisable by a member of a UK police force, the assistance of a member of such a force who is capable of exercising those corresponding powers.

77 Sections 75 and 76: definitions

(1) Subsections (2) to (6) apply for the purposes of sections 75 and 76.

(2) “Controlled drug” has the meaning given by section 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38).

(3) “Her Majesty’s stores” has the same meaning as in the Public Stores Act 1875 (c. 25).

(4) “Prohibited article” means—

(a) an offensive weapon, other than one in the possession of a person who is permitted to have it in his possession for the purposes of any of Her Majesty’s forces;

(b) an article made or adapted for use in the course of or in connection with an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is an offence mentioned in subsection (8); or

(5) “Service vehicle” means a vehicle which—

(a) belongs to any of Her Majesty’s forces; or

(b) is in use for the purposes of any of those forces.

(6) “Stolen”, in relation to an article, has the same meaning as it has by virtue of section 24 of the Theft Act 1968 (c. 60) in the provisions of that Act relating to goods which have been stolen.

(7) In subsection (4)(a) “offensive weapon” means any article—

(a) made or adapted for use for causing injury to persons; or

(b) intended by the person having it with him for such use by him or by some other person.

(8) The offences referred to in subsection (4)(b) are—

(a) an offence under section 1 of the Theft Act 1968 (theft);

(b) an offence under section 9 of that Act (burglary);

(d) an offence under section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 (c. 48) (destroying or damaging property);

(e) an offence under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006 (fraud).

(9) The reference in subsection (4)(b) to an offence under section 42 includes an act or omission which would constitute such an offence if done or made by a person subject to service law.

78 Places in which powers under sections 75 and 76 may be exercised

The powers conferred by sections 75 and 76 may be exercised only in—

(a) any place to which (at the time of exercise of the power) the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission;

(b) any other place to which people have ready access (at the time of exercise of the power) but which is not a dwelling or service living accommodation; and

(c) any premises which (at the time of exercise of the power) are permanently or temporarily occupied or controlled for the purposes of any of Her Majesty’s forces but are not service living accommodation.

79 Sections 75 and 76: limitation on searching persons or vehicles in certain gardens etc

(1) Subsection (2) applies if a person (“A”) is in a garden or yard, or on other land, occupied with and used for the purposes of—

(a) a dwelling; or

(b) any service living accommodation within section 96(1)(a).

(2) A person (“B”) may not by virtue of section 78(a) or (b) search A in the exercise of the power conferred by section 75 or 76 unless B has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that A does not reside in the dwelling or service living accommodation; and

(b) that A is not in the place in question with the express or implied permission of a person who resides in the dwelling or service living accommodation.

(3) Subsection (4) applies if a vehicle is in a garden or yard, or on other land, occupied with and used for the purposes of—

(a) a dwelling; or

(b) any service living accommodation within section 96(1)(a).

(4) A person may not by virtue of section 78(a) or (b) search the vehicle or anything in or on it in the exercise of the power conferred by section 75 or 76 unless he has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that the person in charge of the vehicle does not reside in the dwelling or service living accommodation; and

(b) that the vehicle is not in the place in question with the express or implied permission of a person who resides in the dwelling or service living accommodation.

(5) In this section “dwelling” does not include any dwelling which is permanently or temporarily occupied or controlled for the purposes of any of Her Majesty’s forces.

80 Searches under sections 75 and 76: supplementary

(1) The time for which a person or vehicle may be detained for the purposes of a search under section 75 or 76 is such time as is reasonably required to permit a search to be carried out either at the place where the person or vehicle was first detained or nearby.

(2) Nothing in section 75 or 76 authorises anyone to require a person to remove any of his clothing in public other than an outer coat, jacket, headgear or gloves.

(3) The reference in subsection (2) to headgear does not include headgear worn for religious purposes.

(4) Nothing in this Chapter limits the powers exercisable on any premises if, or to the extent that, the premises are being used for keeping persons in service custody.

81 Power to make further provision about searches under sections 75 and 76

The Secretary of State may by order make provision, in relation to the search of persons or vehicles under section 75 or 76, which is equivalent to that made by any provision of—

(a) section 2(1) to (7) and (9)(b) of PACE (provisions relating to search under section 1 of that Act and other powers), and

(b) section 3 of PACE (duty to make records concerning searches),

subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

82 Application of Chapter to ships and aircraft

This Chapter applies to ships and aircraft as it applies to vehicles.

Chapter 3 Powers of Entry, Search and Seizure

Entry for purposes of obtaining evidence etc

83 Power of judge advocate to authorise entry and search

(1) A judge advocate may issue a warrant authorising a service policeman to enter and search premises if—

(a) an application for the warrant, specifying the premises, is made by a service policeman; and

(b) the judge advocate is satisfied that the premises are relevant residential premises and that there are reasonable grounds for believing—

(i) that a relevant offence has been committed;

(ii) that there is on the premises material which is likely to be of substantial value (whether by itself or together with other material) to the investigation of the offence;

(iii) that the material would be likely to be admissible in evidence at a trial for the offence;

(iv) that it does not consist of or include items subject to legal privilege, excluded material or special procedure material; and

(v) that any of the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) applies.

(2) Those conditions are—

(a) that it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant entry to the premises;

(b) that it is practicable to communicate with a person entitled to grant entry to the premises but it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant access to the evidence;

(d) in the case of service living accommodation within section 96(1)(b) or (c)—

(i) that it is not practicable to communicate with the person or (as the case may be) any of the persons for whom the accommodation is provided; or

(ii) that there is no such person with whom it is practicable to communicate who will agree to grant access to the accommodation without the production of a warrant;

(e) that the purpose of a search may be frustrated or seriously prejudiced unless a service policeman arriving at the premises can secure immediate entry to them.

(3) A service policeman may seize and retain anything for which a search has been authorised under subsection (1).

84 Section 83: definitions

(1) Subsections (2) to (4) apply for the purposes of section 83.

(2) “Relevant offence” means any of the following—

(a) an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is an indictable offence;

(b) a service offence specified for the purposes of this subsection in an order made by the Secretary of State;

(c) a service offence whose commission has led to, or is intended or is likely to lead to, any of the consequences mentioned in subsection (5).

(3) “Relevant residential premises” means—

(a) service living accommodation; or

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law;

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline; or

(iii) a person who is suspected of having committed an offence in relation to which the warrant is sought.

(4) “Items subject to legal privilege”, “excluded material” and “special procedure material” have the meanings given (respectively) by sections 10, 11 and 14 of PACE, but as if in section 11(2)(b) of PACE “enactment” included any provision of—

(a) an Act of the Scottish Parliament or Northern Ireland legislation; or

(b) an instrument made under such an Act or under Northern Ireland legislation.

(5) The consequences referred to in subsection (2)(c) are—

(a) serious harm to the security of the State or to public order;

(b) serious interference with the administration of justice or with the investigation of offences or of a particular offence;

(d) serious injury to any person;

(e) substantial financial gain to any person;

(f) serious financial loss to any person;

(g) the undermining of discipline or morale among members of any of Her Majesty’s forces.

(6) In subsection (5)(d) “injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (5)(f), loss is serious if (having regard to all the circumstances) it is serious for the person who suffers it.

85 Section 83: power to make supplementary provision

The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) make provision authorising the use, in connection with applications under section 83 to judge advocates, of live television or telephone links or similar arrangements;

(b) make provision, in relation to warrants issued under that section or entry and search under such a warrant, which is equivalent to that made by any provision of sections 15 and 16 of PACE (which relate to the issue to constables of warrants to enter and search premises), subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

86 Power to make provision as to access to excluded material etc

(1) The Secretary of State may by order make provision enabling a service policeman to obtain access to excluded material or special procedure material on relevant residential premises, for the purpose of an investigation of a relevant offence, by making an application in accordance with the order to a judge advocate.

(2) An order under this section may in particular—

(a) provide for any provision of Schedule 1 to PACE (which relates to applications by constables to judges for access to excluded material or special procedure material) to apply (with modifications) for the purposes of the order;

(b) authorise the use, in connection with any application made by virtue of the order, of live television or telephone links or similar arrangements.

(3) In this section “relevant residential premises” means—

(a) service living accommodation; or

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law;

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline; or

(iii) a person who is suspected of having committed the relevant offence concerned.

(4) In this section “excluded material”, “special procedure material” and “relevant offence” have the meanings given by section 84.

87 Power of CO to authorise entry and search by service policeman

(1) An officer may authorise a service policeman to enter and search premises within subsection (3) if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that the conditions mentioned in section 83(1)(b)(i) to (v) are satisfied in relation to the premises; and

(b) that it is likely that the purpose of the search would be frustrated or seriously prejudiced if no search could be carried out before the time mentioned in subsection (2).

(2) That time is the earliest time by which it would be practicable—

(a) for a service policeman to obtain and execute a warrant under section 83 authorising the entry and search of the premises; or

(b) in a case where a member of a UK police force could obtain a warrant under section 8 of PACE or any other enactment authorising the entry and search of the premises, for a member of such a force to obtain and execute such a warrant.

(3) The premises referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) service living accommodation of a person whose commanding officer is the officer mentioned in that subsection;

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law whose commanding officer is that officer; or

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline whose commanding officer is that officer;

(4) A person authorised under subsection (1) may seize and retain anything for which the search under that subsection was authorised; but this is subject to section 89.

88 Power of CO to authorise entry and search by other persons

(1) An officer may authorise a person subject to service law (other than a service policeman) to enter and search service living accommodation within subsection (3) if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that the conditions mentioned in section 83(1)(b)(i) to (v) are satisfied in relation to the premises (the reference in section 83(2)(e) to a service policeman being read as a reference to a person authorised under this subsection); and

(b) that it is likely that the purpose of the search would be frustrated or seriously prejudiced if no search could be carried out before the time mentioned in subsection (2).

(2) That time is the earliest time by which it would be practicable—

(a) to obtain the assistance of a service policeman; or

(3) Service living accommodation is within this subsection if it is—

(a) service living accommodation of a person whose commanding officer is the officer mentioned in subsection (1); and

(b) within section 96(1)(b) or (c).

(4) A person authorised under subsection (1) may seize and retain anything for which the search under that subsection was authorised; but this is subject to section 89.

89 Review by judge advocate of certain searches under section 87 or 88

(1) Where any property has been seized and retained during a search under section 87 or 88, the officer who authorised the search must as soon as practicable request a judge advocate to undertake a review of the search and of the seizure and retention of anything seized and retained during it.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order make provision—

(a) with respect to the practice and procedure which is to apply in connection with reviews under this section;

(b) conferring functions on judge advocates in relation to such reviews.

Entry for purposes of arrest etc

90 Entry for purpose of arrest etc by a service policeman

(1) A service policeman may for the purpose of arresting a person enter and search premises within subsection (2), but only if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the person is on the premises.

(2) The premises referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) service living accommodation;

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law;

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline; or

(iii) the person to be arrested;

(3) In relation to premises containing two or more separate dwellings, the powers conferred by subsection (1) are powers to enter and search—

(a) any parts of the premises which the occupiers of any dwelling contained in the premises use in common with the occupiers of any other such dwelling; and

(b) any such dwelling that the service policeman has reasonable grounds for believing the person to be arrested to be in.

(4) A service policeman may, for the purpose of saving life or limb or preventing serious damage to property, enter and search any—

(a) service living accommodation;

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law; or

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline; or

(5) Any power of search conferred by this section is a power to search only to the extent that is reasonably required for the purpose for which the power of entry is exercised.

(6) References in this section to arrest are to arrest under section 67, 69, 110 or 111, and related expressions in this section are to be read accordingly.

91 Entry for purpose of arrest etc by other persons

(1) An officer may authorise a person subject to service law (other than a service policeman) to exercise, in relation to premises within subsection (2), the powers conferred by section 90(1) on a service policeman; but this is subject to subsection (3).

(2) The premises are—

(a) service living accommodation of a person whose commanding officer is the officer mentioned in subsection (1);

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law whose commanding officer is that officer; or

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline whose commanding officer is that officer;

(3) An officer may give an authorisation under subsection (1) only if—

(a) the arrest is to be made under section 67;

(b) the offence in respect of which the arrest is to be made is a relevant offence (as defined by section 84); and

(c) the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that, if the arrest could not be made before the earliest time by which it would be practicable to obtain the assistance mentioned in subsection (4)—

(i) the person to be arrested might evade arrest, conceal, damage, alter or destroy evidence, or present a danger to himself or others; or

(ii) discipline or morale among members of any of Her Majesty’s forces might be undermined.

(4) That assistance is—

(a) the assistance of a service policeman, or

(b) in a case where corresponding powers conferred by section 17(1)(b) or (c) of PACE or any other enactment are exercisable by a member of a UK police force, the assistance of a member of such a force capable of exercising those corresponding powers.

(5) An officer may authorise a person subject to service law (other than a service policeman) to exercise, in relation to premises within subsection (2), the powers conferred by section 90(4) on a service policeman; but this is subject to subsection (6).

(6) An officer may give an authorisation under subsection (5) in relation to premises within section 90(4)(b) or (c) only if it is not practicable to obtain the assistance of a service policeman in time to take the necessary action to save life or limb or prevent serious damage to property.

(7) The Defence Council may by regulations provide for the delegation by a commanding officer of his functions under this section.

Additional powers of entry, search and seizure

92 Power to make provision conferring powers of entry and search after arrest

The Secretary of State may by order make provision, in relation to premises occupied or controlled by a person who—

(a) has been arrested under section 67, and

(b) is being held in service custody without being charged with a service offence,

which is equivalent to that made by any provision of section 18 of PACE (entry and search after arrest), subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

93 Power to make provision conferring power of seizure etc

The Secretary of State may by order make provision, in relation to—

(a) a service policeman who, in connection with the investigation of a service offence, is lawfully on premises which are searchable by virtue of this Part, or

(b) any power of seizure or retention conferred by or under this Part,

which is equivalent to that made by any provision of sections 19 to 21 of PACE (which relate to seizure) or section 22(1) to (4) of that Act (power to retain property seized), subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Chapter 4 Supplementary

94 Property in possession of service police or CO

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision with respect to the disposal of property which has come into the possession of a service policeman or a person’s commanding officer in connection with the investigation of a service offence.

(2) The regulations may in particular—

(a) enable the Court Martial, the Service Civilian Court or a judge advocate to make an order for the delivery of the property to the person appearing to the court or judge advocate to be the owner of the property or, if the owner cannot be ascertained, to make such order with respect to the property as the court or judge advocate considers appropriate;

(b) enable the commanding officer of a person charged with a service offence—

(i) to determine that any property seized under this Part in connection with the investigation of a service offence should be delivered to the person appearing to the commanding officer to be the owner of the property; or

(ii) if the owner cannot be ascertained, to make such other determination with respect to the delivery of the property as the commanding officer considers appropriate;

(i) in whose possession the property was before it was seized under this Part, or

(ii) who claims to be the owner of the property,

to determine that it should be delivered to that person;

(d) make provision as to appeals against orders made by virtue of paragraph (a) and determinations made by virtue of paragraph (b) or (c); and

(e) provide that, at the end of a specified period from the making of an order by virtue of paragraph (a), the right of any person to take proceedings for the recovery of the property is to cease.

(3) A determination made by virtue of subsection (2)(b) or (c) does not affect the right of any person to recover any property delivered in pursuance of the determination from the person to whom it is delivered.

95 Saving provision

(1) Nothing in this Part affects—

(a) any power of a service policeman or commanding officer to enter and search, or order the entry and search of, premises which are occupied for the purposes of any of Her Majesty’s forces, to the extent that the premises do not constitute service living accommodation;

(b) any power of a commanding officer, otherwise than in connection with the investigation of a service offence or the exercise of any power of arrest, to enter and search, or order the entry and search of, service living accommodation;

(c) any power of a commanding officer, otherwise than in connection with the investigation of a service offence or the exercise of any power of arrest, to search, or order the search of, a person or to stop and search, or order the stop and search of, a service vehicle; or

(d) any power of a service policeman or commanding officer to search, or order the search of, a service vehicle which is not in the charge of any person.

(2) In subsection (1) “service vehicle” means a vehicle, ship or aircraft which—

(a) belongs to any of Her Majesty’s forces; or

(b) is in use for the purposes of any of those forces.

96 “Service living accommodation”, “premises” and other definitions

(1) In this Part “service living accommodation” means (subject to subsection (2))—

(a) any building or part of a building which is occupied for the purposes of any of Her Majesty’s forces but is provided for the exclusive use of a person subject to service law, or of such a person and members of his family, as living accommodation or as a garage;

(b) any other room, structure or area (whether on land or on a ship) which is occupied for the purposes of any of Her Majesty’s forces and is used for the provision of sleeping accommodation for one or more persons subject to service law; or

(i) is provided by any of Her Majesty’s forces for personal use by a person subject to service law in connection with his sleeping accommodation, but

(ii) is not in a room, structure or area falling within paragraph (b).

(2) Premises are not service living accommodation for the purposes of this Part if, or to the extent that, they are being used for keeping persons in service custody.

(3) In this Part “premises” includes any place and, in particular, includes—

(a) any vehicle, ship or aircraft; and

(b) any tent or movable structure.

(4) In this Part “enactment” includes any provision of—

(a) an Act of the Scottish Parliament or Northern Ireland legislation, or

(b) an instrument made under such an Act or under Northern Ireland legislation,

and also includes any rule of law in Scotland.

97 Power to use reasonable force

Where a power is conferred on any person by or under this Part, he may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the exercise of the power.

Part 4 Custody

Chapter 1 Custody without Charge

98 Limitations on custody without charge

(1) Except in accordance with sections 99 to 102, a person arrested under section 67 may not be kept in service custody without being charged with a service offence.

(2) If at any time the commanding officer of a person who is kept in service custody without being charged with a service offence—

(a) becomes aware that the grounds for keeping that person in service custody have ceased to apply, and

(b) is not aware of any other grounds on which continuing to keep that person in service custody could be justified under this Act,

the commanding officer must, subject to subsection (3), order his immediate release from service custody.

(3) A person who appears to his commanding officer to have been unlawfully at large when he was arrested may not be released under subsection (2).

(4) Section 301(4) (cases where persons temporarily released from service detention are unlawfully at large) applies for the purposes of this section.

99 Authorisation by commanding officer of custody without charge

(1) Where a person is arrested under section 67—

(a) the arrest, and

(b) any grounds on which he is being kept in service custody without being charged with a service offence,

must be reported as soon as practicable to his commanding officer.

(2) Until such a report is made, the person may be kept in service custody without being charged with a service offence, but only if the person who made the arrest has reasonable grounds for believing that keeping him in service custody without being charged is necessary—

(a) to secure or preserve evidence relating to a service offence for which he is under arrest; or

(b) to obtain such evidence by questioning him.

(3) After receiving a report under subsection (1), the commanding officer must as soon as practicable determine—

(a) whether the requirements of subsection (4) are satisfied; and

(b) if so, whether to exercise his powers under that subsection;

and the person to whom the report relates may be kept in service custody for such period as is necessary to enable the commanding officer to make that determination.

(4) If, in relation to the person to whom the report relates, the commanding officer has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that keeping him in service custody without being charged with a service offence is necessary to secure or preserve evidence relating to a service offence for which he is under arrest or to obtain such evidence by questioning him, and

(b) that the investigation is being conducted diligently and expeditiously,

he may authorise the keeping of that person in service custody.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), an authorisation under subsection (4) ends not more than 12 hours after it is given.

(6) Except in accordance with section 101 or 102, a person may not be kept in service custody later than 48 hours after the arrest without being charged with a service offence.

(7) Where a person, while kept in service custody without being charged with a service offence, is arrested under section 67 for another service offence—

(a) subsections (1) to (5) apply in relation to the arrest for that other offence;

(b) the reference in subsections (2)(a) and (4)(a) to a service offence for which he is under arrest includes the service offence for which he was originally arrested;

(c) the reference in subsection (6) to the arrest is to be read as a reference to the arrest for the service offence for which he was originally arrested; and

(d) the last authorisation under subsection (4) (if any) given in relation to him ceases to have effect (and accordingly section 100 ceases to apply in relation to that authorisation).

100 Review of custody by commanding officer

(1) The commanding officer of a person kept in service custody in accordance with section 99 must, subject to subsections (3) and (4), review the keeping of that person in service custody not later than the end of the period for which it is authorised.

(2) Subsections (4) and (5) of section 99 apply on each review under this section as they apply where a report is received under section 99(1).

(3) A review may be postponed if, having regard to all the circumstances prevailing at the expiry of the last authorisation under section 99(4), it is not practicable to carry out the review at that time.

(4) A review may also be postponed if at the expiry of the last authorisation under section 99(4)—

(a) the person in service custody is being questioned and the commanding officer is satisfied that an interruption of the questioning for the purpose of carrying out the review would prejudice the investigation in connection with which the person is being questioned; or

(b) the commanding officer is not readily available.

(5) Subsection (4) does not limit the power to postpone under subsection (3).

(6) If a review is postponed under subsection (3) or (4)—

(a) it must be carried out as soon as practicable after the expiry of the last authorisation under section 99(4); and

(b) the keeping in service custody of the person to whom the review relates is by virtue of this paragraph authorised until that time.

101 Extension by judge advocate of custody without charge

(1) If, on an application by the commanding officer of a person arrested under section 67, a judge advocate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the continued keeping of that person in service custody is justified, the judge advocate may by order authorise the keeping of that person in service custody.

(2) A judge advocate may not hear an application under this section unless the person to whom it relates—

(a) has been informed in writing of the grounds for the application; and

(b) has been brought before him for the hearing.

(3) The person to whom the application relates is entitled to be legally represented at the hearing and, if he is not so represented but wishes to be so represented—

(a) the judge advocate must adjourn the hearing to enable him to obtain representation; and

(b) he may be kept in service custody during the adjournment.

(4) The period for which a judge advocate, on an application under this section, may authorise the keeping of a person in service custody is such period, ending not more than 96 hours after the arrest, as he considers appropriate having regard to the evidence before him.

(5) Where a person, while kept in service custody without being charged with a service offence, is arrested under section 67 for another service offence, the reference in subsection (4) to the arrest is to be read as a reference to the arrest for the service offence for which he was originally arrested.

(6) For the purposes of this section and section 102, the continued keeping of a person in service custody is justified only if—

(a) keeping him in custody without being charged with a service offence is necessary to secure or preserve evidence relating to a service offence for which he is under arrest or to obtain such evidence by questioning him; and

(b) the investigation is being conducted diligently and expeditiously.

102 Further provision about applications under section 101

(1) Subject to subsection (2), an application under section 101 may be made—

(a) at any time before the end of 48 hours after the arrest; or

(b) if it is not practicable for the application to be heard before the end of that period, as soon as practicable thereafter but not more than 96 hours after the arrest.

(2) Where subsection (1)(b) applies, an authorisation on a review under section 100 may be for a period ending more than 48 hours after the arrest, but may not be—

(a) for a period of more than six hours; or

(b) for a period ending more than 96 hours after the arrest.

(3) If—

(a) an application under section 101 is made more than 48 hours after the arrest, and

(b) it appears to the judge advocate that it would have been reasonable for the commanding officer to make the application before the end of that period,

the judge advocate must refuse the application.

(4) Where on an application under section 101 relating to any person the judge advocate is not satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the continued keeping of that person in service custody is justified, he must—

(a) refuse the application; or

(b) adjourn the hearing of it until a time not later than 48 hours after the arrest.

(5) The person to whom the application relates may be kept in service custody during the adjournment.

(6) Where a judge advocate refuses an application under section 101 at any time less than 48 hours after the arrest, he may direct that the person to whom it relates must, without delay, be charged with a service offence or released from service custody.

(7) Where a judge advocate refuses an application under section 101 at any later time, he must direct that the person to whom it relates must, without delay, be charged with a service offence or released from service custody.

(8) Where a person, while kept in service custody without being charged with a service offence, is arrested under section 67 for another service offence, any reference in this section to the arrest is to be read as a reference to the arrest for the service offence for which he was originally arrested.

103 Custody without charge: other cases

Sections 98 to 102 apply—

(a) where a person is transferred to or taken into service custody under section 313(4), 315(4), 316(3) or 317(4), and

(b) in any other case where a person arrested by a member of a UK police force or overseas police force is transferred to service custody,

as they apply where a person is arrested under section 67, subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State may by order prescribe.

104 Custody without charge: supplementary

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—

(a) for the delegation by the commanding officer of a person in service custody of any of the commanding officer’s functions under sections 98 to 102;

(b) with respect to circumstances in which a person kept in service custody without being charged with a service offence is to be informed of, or given an opportunity to make representations about, any matter;

(c) for the keeping of written records relating to compliance with any requirement of sections 69(3)(a) and 98 to 102 or of regulations under paragraph (b).

(2) Any reference in sections 99 to 102 to a period of time is to be treated as approximate only.

Chapter 2 Custody etc after Charge

Custody after charge

105 Custody after charge

(1) Where a person (referred to in this section and sections 106 to 109 as “the accused”) is kept in service custody after being charged with a service offence, he must be brought before a judge advocate as soon as practicable.

(2) At a hearing under subsection (1), the judge advocate may by order authorise the keeping of the accused in service custody, but only if one or more of conditions A to C in section 106 are met.

(3) The period for which a judge advocate may, by an order under subsection (2), authorise the keeping of the accused in service custody is such period, ending not later than eight days after the day on which the order is made, as he considers appropriate having regard to the evidence before him.

(4) For the purpose of deciding whether condition A in section 106 is met, the judge advocate must have regard to such of the following considerations as appear to him to be relevant—

(a) the nature and seriousness of the offence with which the accused is charged (and the probable method of dealing with him for it),

(b) the character, antecedents, associations and social ties of the accused,

(c) the accused’s behaviour on previous occasions while charged with a service offence and released from service custody or while on bail in criminal proceedings, and

(d) the strength of the evidence that the accused committed the offence,

as well as to any other considerations which appear to be relevant.

(5) If—

(a) the accused is charged with an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is—

(i) murder,

(ii) manslaughter,

(iii) an offence under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42) (rape), or

(iv) an attempt to commit an offence within sub-paragraph (i) or (iii),

(b) representations are made as to any of the matters mentioned in condition A in section 106, and

the judge advocate must state the reasons for his decision and must cause those reasons to be included in the record of the proceedings.

(6) An order under subsection (2) does not authorise the keeping of the accused in service custody—

(a) if the accused is subsequently released from service custody, at any time after his release; or

(b) at any time after he is sentenced in respect of the offence with which he is charged.

(7) Subsection (1) does not apply where the accused is charged with a service offence at a time when he is kept in service custody by reason of a sentence passed in respect of a service offence or of an order under subsection (2), unless that reason ceases to apply.

106 Conditions A to D

(1) Condition A is that the judge advocate is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that the accused, if released from service custody, would—

(a) fail to attend any hearing in the proceedings against him;

(b) commit an offence while released; or

(c) interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice, whether in relation to himself or any other person.

(2) Condition B is that the judge advocate is satisfied that the accused should be kept in service custody for his own protection or, if he is aged under 17, for his own welfare or in his own interests.

(3) Condition C is that the judge advocate is satisfied that, because of lack of time since the accused was charged, it has not been practicable to obtain sufficient information for the purpose of deciding whether condition A or B is met.

(4) Condition D is that the accused’s case has been adjourned for inquiries or a report and it appears to the judge advocate that it would be impracticable to complete the inquiries or make the report without keeping the accused in service custody.

107 Release from custody after charge

(1) Subsections (2) and (3) apply where, at a hearing under section 105(1), the judge advocate does not authorise keeping the accused in service custody.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the accused must be released from service custody without delay.

(3) The accused may be required to comply, before release or later, with such requirements as appear to the judge advocate to be necessary—

(a) to secure his attendance at any hearing in the proceedings against him;

(b) to secure that he does not commit an offence while released from custody;

(c) to secure that he does not interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice, whether in relation to himself or any other person; or

(d) for his own protection or, if he is aged under 17, for his own welfare or in his own interests.

(4) On an application made—

(a) by or on behalf of the accused, or

(b) by the commanding officer of the accused,

any requirement imposed under subsection (3) (including such a requirement as previously varied under this subsection) may be varied or discharged by a judge advocate.

(5) A person on whom a requirement has been imposed by virtue of subsection (3)(a) commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he fails to attend any hearing to which the requirement relates.

108 Review of custody after charge

(1) Where the keeping of the accused in service custody is authorised by an order under section 105(2), it must be reviewed by a judge advocate not later than the end of the period for which it is authorised.

(2) If at any time it appears to the accused’s commanding officer that the grounds on which such an order was made have ceased to exist, he must—

(a) release the accused from service custody; or

(b) request a review.

(3) Where a request is made under subsection (2)(b), a review must be carried out as soon as practicable.

(4) Sections 105(2) to (6), 106 and 107 apply in relation to a review as they apply in relation to a hearing under section 105(1); but the application of section 105(3) is subject to subsection (7).

(5) At the first review the accused may support an application for release from service custody with any argument as to fact or law (whether or not he has advanced that argument previously).

(6) At subsequent reviews the judge advocate need not hear arguments as to fact or law which have been heard previously.

(7) On a review at a hearing at which the accused is legally represented, the judge advocate may, if the accused consents, authorise the keeping of the accused in service custody for a period of not more than 28 days.

(8) In this section “review” means a review under subsection (1).

109 Custody during proceedings of Court Martial or Service Civilian Court

(1) In relation to a review under section 108(1) which takes place between—

(a) the arraignment of the accused before the Court Martial or the Service Civilian Court, and

(b) the conclusion of proceedings before the court,

section 105(2) to (6) (as applied by section 108(4)) apply with the following modifications.

(2) The reference in section 105(2) to conditions A to C is to be read as a reference to conditions A to D.

(3) Where the accused is awaiting sentence—

(a) references in section 105(4)(a) and (5) to an offence with which the accused is charged are to be read as references to the offence for which he is awaiting sentence; and

(b) section 105(4)(d) does not apply.

Arrest after charge

110 Arrest after charge or during proceedings by order of commanding officer

(1) The commanding officer of a person who—

(a) has been charged with, or is awaiting sentence for, a service offence, and

(b) is not in service custody,

may, if satisfied that taking that person into service custody is justified, give orders for his arrest.

(2) For the purposes of this section, taking a person into service custody is justified if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that, if not taken into service custody, he would—

(a) fail to attend any hearing in the proceedings against him;

(b) commit an offence; or

(c) interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice, whether in relation to himself or any other person.

(3) Taking a person into service custody is also justified for the purposes of this section if—

(a) he has failed to attend any hearing in the proceedings against him;

(b) there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that he should be taken into service custody for his own protection or, if he is aged under 17, for his own welfare or in his own interests; or

(i) if not taken into service custody, he would fail to comply with a requirement imposed under section 107(3); or

(ii) he has failed to comply with such a requirement.

(4) A person arrested under subsection (1) who is kept in service custody—

(a) must as soon as is practicable be brought before a judge advocate for a review of whether he should continue to be kept in service custody; and

(b) on that review is to be dealt with as on a review under section 108(1) (see sections 108(4) to (8) and 109).

(5) Where a power of arrest is conferred on any person by virtue of this section, he may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the exercise of the power.

111 Arrest during proceedings at direction of court

(1) Where—

(a) a person has been arraigned before the Court Martial or the Service Civilian Court, and

(b) proceedings before the court have not concluded,

a judge advocate, if satisfied that taking him into service custody is justified, may direct the arrest of that person.

(2) Any person with power to arrest that person for a service offence has the same power, exercisable in the same way, to arrest him pursuant to a direction under subsection (1).

(3) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 110 apply for the purposes of this section.

(4) A person arrested under this section who is kept in service custody—

(a) must as soon as is practicable be brought before a judge advocate for a review of whether he should continue to be kept in service custody; and

(b) on that review is to be dealt with as on a review under section 108(1) (see sections 108(4) to (8) and 109).

Chapter 3 Custody Proceedings Rules

112 Custody proceedings rules

(1) The Secretary of State may make rules with respect to proceedings—

(a) on an application under section 101;

(b) under section 105(1);

(d) on a review under section 108(1), 110(4), 111(4) or 171(2).

(2) Rules under this section may in particular make provision—

(a) with respect to arrangements preliminary to the proceedings;

(b) with respect to the representation of the person to whom the proceedings relate;

(d) for procuring the attendance of witnesses;

(e) with respect to the immunities and privileges of witnesses;

(f)

Armed Forces Act 2006

2006 CHAPTER 52

CONTENTS

First Group of Parts Discipline

Part 1 Offences

Assisting an enemy, misconduct on operations etc

1 Assisting an enemy

2 Misconduct on operations

3 Obstructing operations

4 Looting

5 Failure to escape etc

Mutiny

6 Mutiny

7 Failure to suppress mutiny

Desertion and absence without leave

8 Desertion

9 Absence without leave

10 Failure to cause apprehension of deserters or absentees

Insubordination etc

11 Misconduct towards a superior officer

12 Disobedience to lawful commands

13 Contravention of standing orders

14 Using force against a sentry etc

Neglect of duty and misconduct

15 Failure to attend for or perform duty etc

16 Malingering

17 Disclosure of information useful to an enemy

18 Making false records etc

19 Conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline

20 Unfitness or misconduct through alcohol or drugs

21 Fighting or threatening behaviour etc

22 Ill-treatment of subordinates

23 Disgraceful conduct of a cruel or indecent kind

Property offences

24 Damage to or loss of public or service property

25 Misapplying or wasting public or service property

26 Sections 24 and 25: “public property” and “service property”

Offences against service justice

27 Obstructing or failing to assist a service policeman

28 Resistance to arrest etc

29 Offences in relation to service custody

30 Allowing escape, or unlawful release, of prisoners etc

Ships and aircraft

31 Hazarding of ship

32 Giving false air signals etc

33 Dangerous flying etc

34 Low flying

35 Annoyance by flying

36 Inaccurate certification

37 Prize offences by officer in command of ship or aircraft

38 Other prize offences

Attempts, incitement, and aiding and abetting

39 Attempts

40 Incitement

41 Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring

Criminal conduct

42 Criminal conduct

43 Attempting criminal conduct

44 Trial of section 42 offence of attempt

45 Conspiring to commit criminal conduct

46 Inciting criminal conduct

47 Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring criminal conduct

48 Provision supplementary to sections 43 to 47

49 Air Navigation Order offences

Part 2 Jurisdiction and Time Limits

Chapter 1 Jurisdiction

Court Martial

50 Jurisdiction of the Court Martial

Service Civilian Court

51 Jurisdiction of the Service Civilian Court

Commanding officers

52 Charges capable of being heard summarily

53 Offences that may be dealt with at a summary hearing

54 Charges which may be heard summarily only with permission or by senior officer

Chapter 2 Time Limits for Commencing Proceedings

Time limits for offences other than Reserve Forces Act offences

55 Time limit for charging former member of a regular or reserve force

56 Time limit for charging certain members or former members of ex-regular reserve forces

57 Time limit for charging person formerly subject to service law

58 Time limit for charging civilian formerly subject to service discipline