Armed Forces Act 2006

316 Proceedings before civilian court where person suspected of illegal absence

(1) This section applies where a person is brought before a court of summary jurisdiction in a relevant territory under section 314(4) or 315(4)(b).

(2) Subsection (3) applies if—

(a) the person admits to the court that he is a person subject to service law who has deserted or is absent without leave; or

(b) the court has in its possession evidence of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(3) Where this subsection applies—

(a) if the person is not in custody for some other cause, the court must either—

(i) arrange for him to be transferred to service custody; or

(ii) release him subject to a condition that he reports, at or by such time as may be specified in the condition, to such place or person as may be so specified for the purpose of enabling him to be taken into service custody;

(b) if the person is in custody for some other cause, the court may arrange for him to be transferred to service custody.

(4) Where subsection (3) does not apply—

(a) if the person is not in custody for some other cause, the court must release him;

(b) if the person is in custody for some other cause, the court may release him.

(5) If there is likely to be a delay before a person can be transferred to service custody under subsection (3)(a)(i) or (b), the court may commit him to be held in custody pending his transfer—

(a) in a prison,

(b) in a police station, or

(c) in any other place provided for the confinement of persons in custody,

which is situated in the relevant territory in which the court is situated.

(6) The release of a person under subsection (4) does not prevent him from being subsequently arrested under section 67, or under a warrant issued under section 313, as a person who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under section 8 or 9.

(7) In this section “relevant territory” has the same meaning as in section 314.