1. This Order may be cited as the Armed Forces Act 1996 (Commencement No. 2) Order 1997.
2. Subject to article 3 of this Order, the following provisions of the Armed Forces Act 1996 (“the Act”) shall come into force on 1st April 1997—
section 5 and Schedule 1;
sections 9 and 10 and Schedule 3;
sections 15 to 17 and Schedule 5;
sections 28 and 29;
section 35 so far as is necessary to bring into force Schedules 6 and 7 to the extent specified below;
in Schedule 6, paragraphs 4, 7 to 9, 14 and 15;
in Schedule 7, Parts I and II, and Part III so far as it relates to the provisions specified in Schedule 1 to this Order.
3.—(1) Nothing in article 2 of this Order insofar as it relates to section 5 of and Schedule 1 to the Act shall have effect in relation to—
(a)any summary dealing or summary trial,
(b)any trial by a court-martial or a standing civilian court, or
(c)the hearing of any appeal by the Courts-Martial Appeal Court,
which commenced before 1st April 1997.
(2) Nothing in article 2 of this Order insofar as it relates to sections 15 to 17 of and Schedule 5 to the Act shall have effect in relation to any finding made, sentence passed or punishment awarded before 1st April 1997.
(3) Nothing in article 2 insofar as it relates to provisions which repeal, amend or substitute provisions in enactments shall affect the validity of anything done before 1st April 1997 under the authority of the provisions which have been repealed, amended or substituted.
4. The transitional provisions contained in Schedule 2 to this Order shall have effect.
Nicholas Soames
Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
12th February 1997