http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/171/contents/made

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

Royal Air Force

Armed forces

Hearings

King's Printer of Acts of Parliament

2016-08-02

DEFENCE

These Rules prescribe the procedure governing the prosecution and trial of offences at courts-martial under the Air Force Act 1955 (c. 19). The Rules generally accord with procedures in the Crown Court. They replace and revoke the Rules of Procedure (Air Force) 1972 (S.I. 1972/419) and take account of changes in the law and procedure since then, giving effect in particular to the provisions of the Armed Forces Act 1996 (c. 46).

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 2

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(2)

rule 1

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 4

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(3)

rule 1

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 4A

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(4)

rule 1

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 6A

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(5)

rule 1

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 13A

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(6)

rule 1

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 76(2)(g)

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(7)(a)

rule 1

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 76(2)(i) and word

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(7)(b)

rule 1

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 85

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(8)

rule 1

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 2 defn(s)

The Courts-Martial (Amendment) Rules 2005

rule 2(1)

rule 2(2)(a)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 2 defn(s)

The Courts-Martial (Amendment) Rules 2005

rule 2(1)

rule 2(2)(b)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

Sch 2

The Courts-Martial (Amendment) Rules 2005

rule 5(1)

(3)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

Sch 2 Forms 10–14

The Courts-Martial (Amendment) Rules 2005

rule 5(4)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rules 24A–24C

The Courts-Martial (Amendment) Rules 2005

rule 2(1)

(3)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 43

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2005

rule 2

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 2 defn(s).

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(2)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 4

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(3)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 4A

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(4)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 6A

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(5)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 13A

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(6)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 76

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(7)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 85

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2000

rule 2(8)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 16

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2002

rule 2(1)

(2)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 17

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2002

rule 2(1)

(3)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 37

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2002

rule 2(1)

(4)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 38

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2002

rule 2(1)

(5)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 40

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2002

rule 2(1)

(6)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 41

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2002

rule 2(1)

(7)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

Sch 2

Form 1

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) (Amendment) Rules 2002

rule 2(1)

(8)

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

rule 61

The Courts-Martial (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) (Evidence) Rules 2006

rule 23

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

sch 2

The Courts-Martial (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) (Evidence) Rules 2006

rule 23

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

sch 4

The Courts-Martial (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) (Evidence) Rules 2006

rule 23

Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

PART IPRELIMINARY

1Citation and commencement

2Interpretation

3Service on an accused

PART IIPROSECUTION OF OFFENCES

4Referring a case to the prosecuting authority

5Formal preliminary examination

6Conduct of formal preliminary examination

7Charge sheet

8Charges and joinder

9Notifying the accused’s commanding officer

10Notifying the court administration officer

11Notification of trial

12Discontinuing proceedings before trial

13Description of the court-martial

14Amending charges and additional charges before trial

PART IIIGENERAL MATTERS

15Conduct of the defence

16Convening the court

17Ineligibility for membership of courts-martial

18Appointment of court officials

19Delegation of the court administration officer’s functions

20Additional evidence before trial

21Witness not called by the prosecutor

22Witnesses for the accused

23Witness summons

24Oaths and affirmations

PART IVPRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS

25Hearing for directions

26Hearing for directions in chambers

27Substance of a hearing for directions

28Hearing for directions without notice to the accused

29Preparatory hearing

30Challenges and oaths at a preparatory hearing

31Substance of a preparatory hearing

PART VPROCEEDINGS AT COURT-MARTIAL

32The judge advocate

33The president

34Sittings and adjournment

35Record of proceedings

36Closed court

37Pre-trial hearing

38Challenges and oaths at a pre-trial hearing

39Substance of a pre-trial hearing

40Challenges by the accused

41Administration of oaths and affirmations

42Commencement of the trial

43Judge advocate sitting alone

44Severance

45Arraignment

46Guilty plea

47Alternative charges

48Additional charges during trial

49Changes to the charge sheet during trial

50Changes to the charge sheet by the court

51Procedure after guilty plea

52Pleas of guilty and not guilty on one charge sheet

53Dispute on facts after finding of guilty

54Change of plea

55Procedure after not guilty plea

56Additional evidence during trial

57Expert evidence

58Exhibits

59Presence of witnesses

60Evidence through television link

61Video recordings of testimony from child witnesses

62Examination of witnesses

63Submission of no case to answer

64Finding of not guilty before conclusion of the defence

65The case for the defence

66Witnesses for the defence

67Further evidence

68Closing addresses

69Summing up

70Deliberation on finding

71Special finding

72Record of finding

73Inquiry into finding

74Offences taken into consideration

PART VISENTENCING

75Pre-sentence report and previous convictions

76Evidence before sentencing

77Evidence on behalf of the accused

78Postponement of deliberation on sentence

79Deliberation on sentence

80Announcement of sentence

81Conclusion of the trial

PART VIIREVIEW OF COURT-MARTIAL FINDING AND SENTENCE

82The petition

83Reasons

PART VIIIMISCELLANEOUS

84Application of the rules to civilians

85Periodic review of arrest

86Bankers' Books Evidence Act 1879

87Custody of the record

88Imprisonment in default; manner of payment of fine

89Circumstances not provided for

90Revocations and savings

SCHEDULE 1CHARGES AND JOINDER

PART IRULES

1(1) A charge sheet shall be in the form specified...

2(1) Subject only to the provisions of paragraph 3 of...

3Where the specific offence with which an accused person is...

4Where an offence created by or under an enactment states...

5It shall be sufficient in a charge sheet to describe...

6(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, charges for...

7Where the offence charged is one which can be committed...

8Where the offence charged is one which may render the...

PART II

SCHEDULE 2FORMS

SCHEDULE 3OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS

PART IMANNER OF ADMINISTERING OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS

1An oath may be administered by the person swearing the...

2A Scottish oath may be administered by the person swearing...

3An oath may be administered in such manner as the...

4A person under 18 making a promise or a person...

PART IIFORMS OF OATH

President and members other than the judge advocate

5I swear by Almighty God that I will well and...

Persons under instruction

6I swear by Almighty God that I will not on...

Interpreter

7I swear by Almighty God that I will well and...

Witness

8I swear by Almighty God that the evidence which I...

Form for a person under 18

9I promise before Almighty God that the evidence which I...

PART IIIFORM OF SCOTTISH OATHS

10The form of Scottish oath shall in each case be...

PART IVFORM OF SOLEMN AFFIRMATIONS

11The form of affirmation shall in each case be the...

SCHEDULE 4HEARING FOR DIRECTIONS

1the issues in the case;

2issues, if any, as to the mental or medical condition...

3the number of witnesses whose evidence will be placed before...

4the defence witnesses in 3 above whose statements have been...

5any prosecution witnesses whom the defence require to attend at...

6any additional witnesses who may be called by the prosecution...

7facts which are to be admitted and which can be...

8any exhibits and schedules which are to be admitted;

9the order and pagination of the papers to be used...

10any alibi which should already have been disclosed in accordance...

11any point of law which it is anticipated will arise...

12any question as to the admissibility of evidence which appears...

13any application to be made for evidence to be given...

14any application to submit pre-recorded video interviews with a child...

15any application for screens, for use by witnesses seeking a...

16whether any video, tape recorder or other technical equipment will...

17where a tape recorded interview has taken place, of any...

18any other significant matter which might affect the proper and...

19the estimated length of the trial, to be agreed more...

20witness availability and the approximate length of witness evidence;

21availability of advocate;

22whether there is a need for any further directions.

SCHEDULE 5GUIDANCE FOR PETITIONERS

1The petition should be settled with sufficient particularity to enable...

2The petition should not contain grounds of appeal unless it...

3The petition should not contain any factual inaccuracy.

4Any allegation of fact in the petition should be based...

5The petition should not contain a suggestion that a person...

6Any proposition of law should be supported by references to...

SCHEDULE 6CIVILIANS

PART IMODIFICATIONS FOR CIVILIANS

PART IIADDITIONAL RULES FOR CIVILIANS

1Prosecution of civilians

2Accused’s parent or guardian

PART IIIAPPEALS FROM STANDING CIVILIAN COURTS

3Forwarding an appeal to the prosecuting authority

4Charge sheet on appeal

5Appeal against sentence alone

6Sentencing on appeal

7Appeal by parent or guardian of an accused

8Abandonment of appeal

SCHEDULE 7REVOCATIONS

1997 No. 171

DEFENCE

The Courts-Martial (Royal Air Force) Rules 1997

Made12th February 1997

Laid before Parliament14th February 1997

Coming into force1st April 1997

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 75(2), 83B(11), 84A, 92(5), 93(3), 94(5), 102(1), 103, 113(1), 141(1), 143(1) and 209(3B) of the Air Force Act 19551, hereby makes the following Rules:—