Armed Forces Act 2006 Explanatory Notes

Armed Forces Act 2006

2006 CHAPTER 52

Commentary

First Group of Parts – Discipline

Part 6 – Summary Hearing and Appeals and Review

Chapter 1 – Summary Hearing

Right to elect Court Martial trial

Section 129: Right to elect Court Martial trial

277. This section requires a CO hearing a charge summarily to give the accused the opportunity to be tried by the Court Martial. If the accused chooses to be tried by the Court Martial, the CO must refer the charge to the DSP for Court Martial trial. Where two or more charges against the same accused are to be heard summarily together and the accused chooses to be tried by Court Martial in respect of one of those charges, all charges are to be referred to the DSP for trial by the Court Martial.

278. If a summary hearing has started and any charge is amended, substituted or added after the start of the proceedings, the accused must be given the opportunity to elect trial by the Court Martial in respect of that charge.