Armed Forces Act 2006 Explanatory Notes

Mutiny
Section 6: Mutiny

56.A person subject to service law commits the offence of mutiny if he takes part in concerted action to overthrow or resist the authority of those in command or to disobey authority in such a way as to undermine discipline, or agrees to act in such a manner.

57.The maximum penalty for mutiny is life imprisonment.

Section 7: Failure to suppress mutiny

58.It is an offence if persons subject to service law fail to do what can reasonably be expected of them to prevent or stop the concerted actions of resisting or overthrowing authority or disobeying authority so as to undermine discipline. It is not an offence to fail to suppress the agreement to take part in such actions. What can reasonably be expected of persons who should act to suppress mutiny will depend on the circumstances, such as any danger involved. The worst cases of this offence could almost amount to complicity in the mutiny itself. For this reason there is a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

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