The Naval Courts-Martial General Orders (Royal Navy) 1991

Order 25

SCHEDULE OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS

PART I manner of administering oaths at courts-martial

1.  The oaths referred to in Section 60(1) and (2) of the Act shall be sworn in the following manner:

The category of person to be sworn as described in this Schedule shall hold the New Testament, or if a Jew the Old Testament, in his uplifted right hand and shall say or repeat after the person administering the oath as hereinafter provided in this Schedule for that category of person.

PART II FORMS OF OATH

President and Members

2.  I ... ... ... ... swear by Almighty God that I will duly administer justice according to law and without partiality, favour or affection; and I do further swear that I will not on any account, at any time whatsoever, disclose the vote or opinion of any member of this court-martial, unless thereunto required in due course of law.

Judge Advocate

3.  I ... ... ... ... swear by Almighty God that I will to the best of my ability carry out the duties of judge advocate according to law and without partiality, favour or affection; and I do further swear that I will not on any account at any time whatsoever disclose the vote or opinion of the president or any member of this court-martial, unless thereunto required in due course of law.

Clerk of the Court or Officer Under Instruction

4.  I ... ... ... ... swear by Almighty God that I will not on any account, at any time whatsoever, disclose the vote or opinion of the president or any member of this court-martial unless thereunto required in due course of law.

Interpreter

5.  I ... ... ... ... swear by Almighty God that I will to the best of my ability truly interpret, translate and explain, as I shall be required to do, touching the matter before this court-martial.

Witness

6.  I ... ... ... ... swear by Almighty God that the evidence which I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Child or Young Person

7.  I ... ... ... ... promise before Almighty God that the evidence which I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

PART III form of scottish oaths

8.  The form of Scottish oath shall in each case be the same as the form of oath set out above except that for the words “I swear by Almighty God” shall be substituted the words “I swear by Almighty God and as I shall answer to God at the Great Day of Judgment”.

PART IV form of solemn affirmations

9.  The person permitted under Section 60(4) of the Act to make a solemn affirmation instead of taking an oath shall say or repeat after the person administering the affirmation: “I ... ... ... ... solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm . ... ... ... ...” followed by the words of the appropriate oath, but omitting the words “I swear by Almighty God”.