Reserve Forces Act 1996

General liability to be called out for permanent service

50Liability of members of reserve forces under call-out orders

(1)Members of a reserve force are liable to be called out under this Part for permanent service when any call-out order authorising the calling out of those members is in force.

(2)A call-out order authorises, subject to subsection (3), the calling out under this Part—

(a)of any members of a reserve force; or

(b)if the order is so limited, of any members of a reserve force of a description specified in the order;

and for the purposes of paragraph (b) a group of members of a force may be described by reference to the unit or body of the force to which they belong or any other criterion.

(3)A call-out order does not authorise the calling out under this Part of any person who is not liable to be called out under the order by virtue of regulations under section 62 or an exemption granted on an application under regulations under section 78.

(4)A person who is in service under a call-out order shall serve until released from that service under section 60.

(5)A person who is released from a period of service under a call-out order is, subject to the provisions of this Act, liable to be called out again on the authority of the same or any other call-out order.

(6)The number of persons who are in service under a call-out order shall not be reckoned in any numbers for the time being authorised by Parliament for any of the regular services.

51Geographical extent of liability to service on call out

(1)A person who is called out under this Part for service under a call-out order is liable to serve anywhere in the world unless the terms of service applicable in his case restrict his liability on being so called out to service within the United Kingdom or any area of the United Kingdom.

(2)A person whose liability for service is restricted as mentioned in subsection (1) may elect irrevocably in such manner as may be prescribed to be liable for worldwide service—

(a)whenever he is called out for service under this Part;

(b)whenever he is called out for service on the authority of a call-out order under any provision of this Part specified in the election; or

(c)during any period of service (including a current period of service) under a call-out order specified in the election.

(3)The terms of service of a person who makes an election under subsection (2) are modified to the extent required by the election.

(4)In this section“the United Kingdom” includes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.