Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1968

Disposal of appeal U.K.

12 Power to quash conviction as [F1 unsafe.] U.K.

[F2 (1) The Appeal Court—

(a) shall allow an appeal against conviction by [F3 the Court Martial] if they think that the conviction is unsafe; and

(b) shall dismiss such an appeal in any other case.]

(2) If the Appeal Court allow an appeal against conviction, they shall quash the conviction.

[F4 (3) Where the Appeal Court quash a conviction, the appellant is to be treated as if he had been acquitted by the Court Martial; but this does not apply if an order under section 19 authorising the appellant to be retried is made.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 12 sidenote substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 35, s. 29(1), Sch. 2 para. 5(2); S.I. 1995/3061, art. 3 (with art. 4)

F2 S. 12(1) substituted (1.1.1996) for s. 12(1) including the proviso by 1995 c. 35, s. 29(1), Sch. 2 para. 5(2); S.I. 1995/3061, art. 3 (with art. 4)

F3 Words in s. 12(1)(a) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 10(a); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F4 S. 12(3) added (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 10(b); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 12(1)(a) modified (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 111

[F5 13 Power to re-sentence when some but not all convictions successfully appealed. U.K.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) on a single occasion a person is sentenced by the Court Martial in respect of two or more offences; and

(b) the Appeal Court allow an appeal against conviction in respect of some but not all of the offences.

(2) The Court may in respect of any offence of which the appellant remains convicted pass, in substitution for the sentence passed by the Court Martial, any sentence that—

(a) they think appropriate; and

(b) is a sentence that the Court Martial had power to pass.

(3) But the Court may not exercise their powers under subsection (2) in such a way that the appellant's sentences (taken together) for all the offences of which he remains convicted are more severe than the sentences (taken together) passed on him by the Court Martial on the occasion mentioned in subsection (1)(a).

(4) The reference in subsection (3) to the sentences passed by the Court Martial includes those passed by that court in respect of offences as respects which appeals against conviction have been allowed.]

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 13 substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 11; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 13 excluded (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 112

C3 S. 13 excluded by 2006 c. 52, Sch. 3A para. 15(8) (as inserted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 1; S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(b) (with arts. 10-12))

C4 S. 13(2) modified (31.10.2009) by The Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041), art. 1, rule 162(2)

C5 S. 13(2) modified by 2006 c. 52, Sch. 3A para. 15(1)(2) (as inserted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 1; S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(b) (with arts. 10-12))

F6 14 Substitution of conviction on different charge [F6 otherwise than after guilty plea]. U.K.

[F7 (1) This section applies where—

(a) an appellant has been convicted of an offence to which he did not plead guilty;

(b) the Court Martial could lawfully have found him guilty of some other offence; and

(c) it appears to the Appeal Court on an appeal against conviction that the Court Martial must have been satisfied of facts which prove him guilty of that other offence.]

(2) The Appeal Court may, instead of allowing or dismissing the appeal, substitute for the finding of the [F8 Court Martial] a finding of guilty of the other offence, and may pass on the appellant, in substitution for the sentence passed on him by the [F8 Court Martial], [F9 any sentence that—

(a) they think appropriate;

(b) is a sentence that the Court Martial would have had power to pass in respect of that other offence; and

(c) is not more severe than the sentence passed by the Court Martial.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in s. 14 added (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 12(2); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F7 S. 14(1) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 12(3); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F8 Words in s. 14(2) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 12(4)(a); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F9 Words in s. 14(2) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 12(4)(b); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6 S. 14 excluded (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 113

C7 S. 14(2) modified (31.10.2009) by The Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041), rules 1, 162(3)

C8 S. 14(2)(b) modified by 2006 c. 52, Sch. 3A para. 15(1)(3)-(5) (as inserted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 1; S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(b) (with arts. 10-12))

[F10 14A Substitution of conviction on different charge after guilty plea E.W.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) an appellant has been convicted of an offence to which he pleaded guilty,

(b) if he had not so pleaded, he could lawfully have pleaded, or been found, guilty of some other offence, and

(c) it appears to the Appeal Court on an appeal against conviction that the plea of guilty indicates an admission by the appellant of facts which prove him guilty of that other offence.

(2) The Appeal Court may, instead of allowing or dismissing the appeal, substitute for the appellant’s plea of guilty a plea of guilty of the other offence, and may pass on the appellant, in substitution for the sentence passed on him by the [F11 court-martial, such sentence as they think proper, being a sentence warranted by the relevant Service Act for that other offence, but not a sentence of greater severity.] [F11 Court Martial, any sentence that—

(a) they think appropriate;

(b) is a sentence that the Court Martial would have had power to pass in respect of that other offence; and

(c) is not more severe than the sentence passed by the Court Martial.]]

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 14A inserted (E.W.) (1.9.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 318(3), 336(3)(4); S.I. 2004/1629, art. 3(1)(2)(e)

F11 Words in s. 14A(2) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 13; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 14A excluded (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 114

C10 S. 14A(2) modified (31.10.2009) by The Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041), art. 1, rule 162(3)

C11 S. 14A(2)(b) modified by 2006 c. 52, Sch. 3A para. 15(1)(6)(7) (as inserted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 1; S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(b) (with arts. 10-12))

F12 15 Variation of conviction so as to attract different sentence. U.K.

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Textual Amendments

F12 S. 15 repealed (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 14, Sch. 17; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12 S. 15(1)(2) applied (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 115

[F13 16 Substitution of finding of insanity or findings of unfitness to stand trial etc. U.K.

(1) This section applies where, on an appeal against conviction, the Appeal Court, on the written or oral evidence of two or more registered medical practitioners at least one of whom is duly approved, are of [F14 the] opinion—

(a) that the proper finding would have been one of not guilty by reason of insanity; or

(b) that the case is not one where there should have been a finding of not guilty, but that there should have been findings that the accused was unfit to stand trial and that he did the act or made the omission charged against him.

[F15 (1A) The Appeal Court shall, instead of allowing or dismissing the appeal, substitute for the finding appealed against—

(a) a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity; or

(b) findings that the appellant was unfit to stand trial and that he did the act or made the omission charged against him.

(2) Sections 169(2) to (5) and 170 of, and Schedule 4 to, the 2006 Act apply (with any necessary modifications) in relation to the Appeal Court as they apply in relation to the Court Martial in a case in which section 169 of that Act applies.

(3) Section 172 of that Act (meaning of “duly approved” etc) applies for the purposes of this section (and references there to the defendant are to be read as references to the appellant).]

F16 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F17 (6)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 16 substituted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), s. 60, Sch. 3 para. 7 (with Sch. 12 para. 8); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)

F14 Word in s. 16(1) inserted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 15(a); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F15 S. 16(1A)-(3) substituted for (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 15(b); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F16 S. 16(5) repealed (31.10.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(7), Sch. 25 para. 3, Sch. 28 Pt. 3; S.I. 2009/1028, art. 2(a)

F17 S. 16(6) repealed (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 15(d), Sch. 17; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

[F18 [F19 16A Appeals against sentence. U.K.

(1) Where, on a single occasion, the Court Martial passes two or more sentences on a person, an appeal or application for leave to appeal against any of those sentences is to be treated as an appeal or application in respect of both or all of them.

(2) On an appeal against sentence the Appeal Court may quash the sentence passed by the Court Martial and pass in substitution for it any sentence that—

(a) they think appropriate; and

(b) is a sentence that the Court Martial had power to pass in respect of the offence.

(3) But the Court may not exercise their powers under subsection (2) in such a way that, taking the case as a whole, the appellant is dealt with more severely on appeal than he was dealt with by the Court Martial.]]

Textual Amendments

F18 S. 16A added by Armed Forces Act 1971 (c. 33), s. 73(3)

F19 S. 16A substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 16; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 S. 16A modified by 2006 c. 52, s. 269C(3) (as inserted (1.11.2013) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), ss. 16(1), 32(3); S.I. 2013/2501, art. 3(c))

C14 S. 16A modified by 1957 c. 53, s. 91A(4)(a) (as inserted (18.7.2008) by The Armed Forces (Alignment of Service Discipline Acts) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1694), arts. 1, 31)

C15 S. 16A modified by 1976 c. 52, Sch. 3 para. 21(5)(a) (as inserted (18.7.2008) by The Armed Forces (Alignment of Service Discipline Acts) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1694), arts. 1, 27)

C16 S. 16A modified by 1955 c. 19, s. 120ZA(4)(a) (as inserted (18.7.2008) by The Armed Forces (Alignment of Service Discipline Acts) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1694), arts. 1, 25)

C17 S. 16A modified by 1955 c. 18, s. 120ZA(4)(a) (as inserted (18.7.2008) by The Armed Forces (Alignment of Service Discipline Acts) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1694), arts. 1, 25)

C18 S. 16A modified (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 231(3), 383(2); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

C19 S. 16A modified (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 235(2), 383(2); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

C20 S. 16A modified (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 192(3), 383(2); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

C21 S. 16A modified (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 268(6), 383(2) (with s. 271(1)); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

C22 S. 16A modified (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 216(3), 383(2); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

C23 S. 16A modified by 2006 c. 52, s. 232B(3) (as inserted (8.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), ss. 17(1), 32(3); S.I. 2012/669, art. 3(d))

C24 S. 16A modified by 2006 c. 52, Sch. 3A para. 15(9) (as inserted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 1; S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(b) (with arts. 10-12))

C25 S. 16A(1) applied (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 116

C26 S. 16A(2)(3) excluded (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 117

C27 S. 16A(2) modified (31.10.2009) by The Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041), rules 1, 162(4)

F20 17 Term of sentence passed under s. 13, 14 [F20 , 14A or 16A]. U.K.

[F21 (1) Unless the Court otherwise direct, a sentence passed by the Appeal Court under section 13, 14, 14A or 16A takes effect from the beginning of the day on which the Court Martial passed sentence.]

F22 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F20 Words in s. 17 sidenote substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 17(a); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F21 S. 17(1) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 17(b); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F22 S. 17(2) repealed (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 17(c), Sch. 17; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28 S. 17 applied (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 120(4)

C29 S. 17(1) modified (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 118

F23 17A Appeals by civilians: application of Service Act provisions. U.K.

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Textual Amendments

F23 S. 17A repealed (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 18, Sch. 17; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4