I11Regular forces: part-time service and geographic restrictions

1

The Armed Forces Act 2006 is amended as follows.

2

Section 329 (terms and conditions of enlistment and service) is amended in accordance with subsections (3) and (4).

3

In subsection (2)—

a

after paragraph (h) insert—

ha

enabling a person to serve with a regular force on a part-time basis;

b

for paragraphs (i) and (j) substitute—

i

enabling a person's service with a regular force to be restricted to service in a particular area or to be subject to other geographic restrictions;

j

requiring a person serving subject to a geographic restriction to serve without that restriction on a number of occasions not exceeding a prescribed maximum.

4

After subsection (3) insert—

3A

A right conferred on a person by virtue of subsection (2)(ha) to (j) may be varied, suspended or terminated in prescribed circumstances.

5

In section 373 (orders, regulations and rules), in subsection (3), after paragraph (e) insert—

ea

regulations under section 329(1) which make provision of a kind mentioned in section 329(2)(ha), (i), or (j),

eb

regulations under section 329(3A),

I22Consequential amendments

1

The Juries Act 1974 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (4).

2

In section 9(2A) and (2B) (excusal for members of armed forces), for “full-time serving member of Her Majesty's naval, military or air forces” substitute “ member of the regular forces ”.

3

In section 9A(1A), (1C) and (2B)(a) (discretionary deferral for members of armed forces), for “full-time serving member of Her Majesty's naval, military or air forces” substitute “ member of the regular forces ”.

4

In section 23(2) (interpretation), at the end insert—

“regular forces” has the same meaning as in the Armed Forces Act 2006 (see section 374 of that Act).

5

In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1980 (persons excusable as of right from jury service), in Group C, for the words from “Full-time” to the end substitute “ Members of the regular forces within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (see section 374 of that Act). ”

3Short title, commencement and extent

1

This Act may be cited as the Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Act 2018.

2

This section comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

3

Sections 1 and 2 come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may appoint by regulations.

4

Regulations under this section—

a

are to be made by statutory instrument, and

b

may make different provision for different purposes.

5

Section 1 and this section extend to—

a

England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,

b

the Isle of Man, and

c

the British overseas territories, except Gibraltar.

6

The power under section 384(2) of the Armed Forces Act 2006 may be exercised so as to modify sections 329 and 373 of that Act, as amended by section 1 of this Act, as it extends to the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory other than Gibraltar.

7

The power under section 384(1) of the Armed Forces Act 2006 may be exercised so as to extend the amendments made by section 1 of this Act to any of the Channel Islands (with or without modifications).

8

In section 2—

a

subsections (1) to (4) extend to England and Wales only, and

b

subsection (5) extends to Scotland only.