Overview of the Act’s Structure and Summary
5.The Act contains nine groups of sections. The first (composed of a single section) renews AFA 2006 for a further period ending not later than the end of 2016.
6.The second (composed of a single section) provides for the Secretary of State to make an annual report to Parliament on the effect of membership of the armed forces on, in particular, the welfare of members and former members of the forces.
7.The third group of sections contains provisions that relate to the independence and inspection of the service police forces; and to new arrangements for the management of members of the Ministry of Defence Police.
8.The fourth group of sections confers new powers on judge advocates to authorise entry and search of certain premises and on the Secretary of State to make provision by order as to access for the service police to special categories of material (for example bank records).
9.The fifth group makes provision about the testing of service personnel for alcohol and drugs in specified circumstances.
10.The sixth group of sections relates to punishments and other court orders.
11.The seventh group of sections makes a number of changes to AFA 2006. They include changes relating to: where the Service Civilian Court may sit; reduction in rank of service personnel; the process for redress of complaints brought by service personnel; and civilians subject to service jurisdiction.
12.The eighth group of sections make amendments and repeals of other legislation, including the legislation governing military byelaws, the Naval Medical Compassionate Fund Act 1915 and the Reserve Forces Act 1996. It also provides for minor amendments to service legislation, consequential amendments and repeals. The ninth group contains supplementary provision.