Word in rule 96(2)(e) deleted (16.11.2015) by The Armed Forces (Service Courts Rules) (Amendment) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1812), rules 1, 17(a)
Rule 96(2)(g) inserted (16.11.2015) by The Armed Forces (Service Courts Rules) (Amendment) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1812), rules 1, 17(c)
Word in rule 96(2)(f) substituted (16.11.2015) by virtue of The Armed Forces (Service Courts Rules) (Amendment) Rules 2015 (S.I. 2015/1812), rules 1, 17(b)
Words in rule 96(3)(b) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 373 (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
Rule 96(2)(b) substituted (13.11.2023) by The Armed Forces (Amendment of Court Rules) Rules 2023 (S.I. 2023/1097), rules 1(2), 4
This Part applies in relation to any sentencing proceedings.
In this Part—
“
“
Where, after the court has recorded a plea of guilty in respect of any charge, there are disputed facts in the case, the court may direct that any issue of fact be tried by the court.
The finding of the court shall be announced in open court.
Where the court administration officer has arranged for a pre-sentence report to be prepared in advance of the proceedings, he shall serve a copy on the Director and the offender before the time appointed for the proceedings.
Where the Director has obtained a record of the offender's previous convictions in advance of the proceedings, he shall serve a copy on the offender and the court administration officer before the time appointed for the proceedings.
Where—
the offender was convicted on a plea of guilty (other than a plea offered in the course of a trial), or
the offender was convicted in trial proceedings but previous sentencing proceedings in respect of him were terminated,
the Director shall address the court on the facts of the case.
Where practicable, the Director shall inform the court of—
the offender's age;
any previous convictions of the offender for—
offences under the law of any part of the British Islands, or
relevant offences of which the offender has been convicted by a court outside the British Islands,
and any sentence awarded in respect of any such offence, and whether any such conviction is spent for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974;
any formal police caution administered to the offender by a constable in England and Wales or Northern Ireland;
any period for which the offender has been in custody awaiting trial; and
details of the offender's employment (if any);
if the defendant was under 18 years of age when convicted, whether he has a service parent or service guardian (within the meaning of section 233)
any statement of the effect of the offence on the victim, the victim’s family or others.
Where the court has power—
to make an activation order in respect of the offender, or
to deal with him under section 186(2)
(offence during period of conditional discharge) or
the Director shall inform the court of that fact, of the previous offence by virtue of which the court has that power, and of the sentence passed for that offence.
For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) an offence is “relevant” if the act that constituted the offence would have constituted an offence under the law of any part of the United Kingdom if it had been done in that part at the time when the Director presents information to the court under this rule.
Where the offender is not subject to service law but has formerly been so subject, paragraph (2) has effect as if—
after the word “age” in sub-paragraph (a) there were added
before the word “employment” in sub-paragraph (e) there were inserted
The court may take into consideration any other offence committed by the offender, of a similar nature to that for which he falls to be sentenced, if—
he so requests; and
the court so directs.
A list of offences taken into consideration shall be signed by the offender and attached to the record of proceedings.
The offender may—
call witnesses in mitigation of sentence or as to his character;
produce to the court any document; and
address the court in mitigation of sentence.
The sentence shall be recorded in writing, dated and signed by the judge advocate.
The court shall make the statement of reasons, and give the explanation, required by section 252(1).
In this rule, “