Armed Forces Act 2006

Chapter 3 U.K. Powers of Entry, Search and Seizure

Entry for purposes of obtaining evidence etc U.K.

[F1 83 Power of judge advocate to authorise entry and search U.K.

(1) On an application made by a service policeman, a judge advocate may, if the relevant requirements are met, issue a warrant authorising a service policeman to enter and search—

(a) one or more sets of premises specified in the application; or

(b) any relevant residential premises occupied or controlled by a person specified in the application, including such sets of premises as are so specified.

(2) The relevant requirements are met (subject to subsection (3)) if the judge advocate is satisfied that each set of premises specified in the application is relevant residential premises and that there are reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that a relevant offence has been committed;

(b) that material which is likely to be of substantial value (whether by itself or together with other material) to the investigation of the offence is—

(i) in the case of a warrant authorising entry and search of specified premises, on those premises;

(ii) in the case of a warrant authorising entry and search of any relevant residential premises occupied or controlled by a specified person, on one or more sets of such premises occupied or controlled by that person;

(c) that the material would be likely to be admissible in evidence at a trial for the offence;

(d) that it does not consist of or include items subject to legal privilege, excluded material or special procedure material; and

(e) that at least one of the conditions specified in subsection (4) applies in relation to each set of premises specified in the application.

(3) If the application is for a warrant authorising entry and search of any relevant residential premises occupied or controlled by a specified person, the judge advocate must also be satisfied—

(a) that, because of the particulars of the offence mentioned in subsection (2)(a), there are reasonable grounds for believing that in order to find the material mentioned in subsection (2)(b) it is necessary to search relevant residential premises that are occupied or controlled by the person in question and are not specified in the application; and

(b) that it is not reasonably practicable to specify in the application all the relevant residential premises that the person occupies or controls and that might need to be searched.

(4) The conditions mentioned in subsection (2)(e) are—

(a) that it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant entry to the premises;

(b) that it is practicable to communicate with a person entitled to grant entry to the premises, but it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant access to the evidence;

(c) that entry to the premises will not be granted unless a warrant is produced;

(d) in the case of service living accommodation within section 96(1)(b) or (c)—

(i) that it is not practicable to communicate with the person or (as the case may be) any of the persons for whom the accommodation is provided; or

(ii) that there is no such person with whom it is practicable to communicate who will agree to grant access to the accommodation without the production of a warrant;

(e) that the purpose of a search may be frustrated or seriously prejudiced unless a service policeman arriving at the premises can secure immediate entry to them.

(5) A warrant under this section may authorise entry to and search of premises on more than one occasion if, on the application for the warrant, the judge advocate is satisfied that it is necessary to authorise multiple entries in order to achieve the purpose for which the warrant is issued.

(6) If the warrant authorises multiple entries, the number of entries authorised may be unlimited, or limited to a maximum.

(7) A service policeman may seize and retain anything for which a search has been authorised under subsection (1).]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 83 substituted (14.12.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), ss. 7, 32(3); S.I. 2012/2921, art. 3(a)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 83 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I2 S. 83 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

84 Section 83: definitions U.K.

(1) Subsections (2) to (4) apply for the purposes of section 83.

(2) “Relevant offence” means any of the following—

(a) an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is an indictable offence;

(b) a service offence specified for the purposes of this subsection in an order made by the Secretary of State;

(c) a service offence whose commission has led to, or is intended or is likely to lead to, any of the consequences mentioned in subsection (5).

[F2 (2A) In subsection (2)(a), the reference to an “indictable offence” has effect as if it included a reference to low-value shoplifting (as defined in section 22A(3) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980).]

(3) “Relevant residential premises” means—

(a) service living accommodation; or

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law;

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline; or

(iii) a person who is suspected of having committed an offence in relation to which the warrant is sought.

(4) “Items subject to legal privilege”, “excluded material” and “special procedure material” have the meanings given (respectively) by sections 10, 11 and 14 of PACE, but as if in section 11(2)(b) of PACE “enactment” included any provision of—

(a) an Act of the Scottish Parliament or Northern Ireland legislation; or

(b) an instrument made under such an Act or under Northern Ireland legislation.

(5) The consequences referred to in subsection (2)(c) are—

(a) serious harm to the security of the State or to public order;

(b) serious interference with the administration of justice or with the investigation of offences or of a particular offence;

(c) the death of any person;

(d) serious injury to any person;

(e) substantial financial gain to any person;

(f) serious financial loss to any person;

(g) the undermining of discipline or morale among members of any of Her Majesty's forces.

(6) In subsection (5)(d) “injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person's physical or mental condition.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (5)(f), loss is serious if (having regard to all the circumstances) it is serious for the person who suffers it.

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 84(2A) inserted (13.5.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 176(7), 185(1) (with ss. 8, 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93, 176(8)); S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 17

Commencement Information

I3 S. 84 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I4 S. 84 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

85 Section 83: power to make supplementary provision U.K.

The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) make provision authorising the use, in connection with applications under section 83 to judge advocates, of live television or telephone links or similar arrangements;

(b) make provision, in relation to warrants issued under that section or entry and search under such a warrant, which is equivalent to that made by any provision of sections 15 and 16 of PACE (which relate to the issue to constables of warrants to enter and search premises), subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Commencement Information

I5 S. 85 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I6 S. 85 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

86 Power to make provision as to access to excluded material etc U.K.

[F3 (1) The Secretary of State may by order make provision that enables a service policeman, for the purposes of an investigation of a relevant offence and by making an application to a judge advocate in accordance with the order—

(a) to obtain access to excluded material or special procedure material on relevant residential premises; or

(b) to obtain access to material (other than items subject to legal privilege) on premises other than relevant residential premises.

(2) An order under this section (an “enabling order”) may in particular—

(a) so far as it relates to obtaining access to material on relevant residential premises, make provision equivalent to any provision of Schedule 1 to PACE (special procedure for obtaining production orders and warrants);

(b) so far as it relates to obtaining access to material on premises other than relevant residential premises, make provision equivalent to any provision of paragraphs 1 to 11 of that Schedule (special procedure for obtaining production orders);

(c) make provision equivalent to section 311(2) and (3) of this Act (certification to civil court of offences akin to contempt) in relation to a failure by a person within section 309(6) to comply with an order made by a judge advocate under the enabling order;

(d) authorise the use, in connection with any application made by virtue of the enabling order, of live television or telephone links or similar arrangements.

(2A) Any power under subsection (2) to make provision which is equivalent to another provision includes power to make provision which is equivalent subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.]

(3) In this section “relevant residential premises” means—

(a) service living accommodation; or

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law;

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline; or

(iii) a person who is suspected of having committed the relevant offence concerned.

[F4 (4) In this section the following expressions have the meanings given by section 84—

• “excluded material”;

• “items subject to legal privilege”;

• “relevant offence”;

• “special procedure material”.]

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 86(1)-(2A) substituted for s. 86(1)(2) (8.3.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), ss. 8(2), 32(3); S.I. 2012/669, art. 3(a)

F4 S. 86(4) substituted (8.3.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), ss. 8(3), 32(3); S.I. 2012/669, art. 3(a)

Commencement Information

I7 S. 86 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I8 S. 86 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

87 Power of CO to authorise entry and search by service policeman U.K.

(1) An officer may authorise a service policeman to enter and search premises within subsection (3) if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing—

[F5 (a) that a relevant offence within the meaning of section 84 has been committed;

(b) that material which is likely to be of substantial value (whether by itself or together with other material) to the investigation of the offence is on the premises;

(c) that the material would be likely to be admissible in evidence at a trial for the offence;

(d) that it does not consist of or include items subject to legal privilege, excluded material or special procedure material (within the meaning given by section 84);

(e) that at least one of the conditions specified in section 83(4) applies; and

(f) that it is likely that the purpose of the search would be frustrated or seriously prejudiced if no search could be carried out before the time mentioned in subsection (2).]

(2) That time is the earliest time by which it would be practicable—

(a) for a service policeman to obtain and execute a warrant under section 83 authorising the entry and search of the premises; or

(b) in a case where a member of a UK police force could obtain a warrant under section 8 of PACE or any other enactment authorising the entry and search of the premises, for a member of such a force to obtain and execute such a warrant.

(3) The premises referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) service living accommodation of a person whose commanding officer is the officer mentioned in that subsection;

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law whose commanding officer is that officer; or

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline whose commanding officer is that officer;

(c) premises which that officer has reasonable grounds for believing to be within paragraph (b).

(4) A person authorised under subsection (1) may seize and retain anything for which the search under that subsection was authorised; but this is subject to section 89.

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 87(1)(a)-(f) substituted for s. 87(1)(a)(b) (14.12.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 4 para. 6; S.I. 2012/2921, art. 3(b)

Commencement Information

I9 S. 87 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I10 S. 87 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

88 Power of CO to authorise entry and search by other persons U.K.

(1) An officer may authorise a person subject to service law (other than a service policeman) to enter and search service living accommodation within subsection (3) if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing—

[F6 (a) that a relevant offence within the meaning of section 84 has been committed;

(b) that material which is likely to be of substantial value (whether by itself or together with other material) to the investigation of the offence is on the premises;

(c) that the material would be likely to be admissible in evidence at a trial for the offence;

(d) that it does not consist of or include items subject to legal privilege, excluded material or special procedure material (within the meaning given by section 84);

(e) that at least one of the conditions specified in section 83(4) applies (the reference in section 83(4)(e) to a service policeman being read as a reference to a person authorised under this subsection); and

(f) that it is likely that the purpose of the search would be frustrated or seriously prejudiced if no search could be carried out before the time mentioned in subsection (2).]

(2) That time is the earliest time by which it would be practicable—

(a) to obtain the assistance of a service policeman; or

(b) in a case where a member of a UK police force could obtain a warrant under section 8 of PACE or any other enactment authorising the entry and search of the premises, for a member of such a force to obtain and execute such a warrant.

(3) Service living accommodation is within this subsection if it is—

(a) service living accommodation of a person whose commanding officer is the officer mentioned in subsection (1); and

(b) within section 96(1)(b) or (c).

(4) A person authorised under subsection (1) may seize and retain anything for which the search under that subsection was authorised; but this is subject to section 89.

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 88(1)(a)-(f) substituted for s. 88(1)(a)(b) (14.12.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 4 para. 7; S.I. 2012/2921, art. 3(b)

Commencement Information

I11 S. 88 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I12 S. 88 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

89 Review by judge advocate of certain searches under section 87 or 88 U.K.

(1) Where any property has been seized and retained during a search under section 87 or 88, the officer who authorised the search must as soon as practicable request a judge advocate to undertake a review of the search and of the seizure and retention of anything seized and retained during it.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order make provision—

(a) with respect to the practice and procedure which is to apply in connection with reviews under this section;

(b) conferring functions on judge advocates in relation to such reviews.

Commencement Information

I13 S. 89 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I14 S. 89 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Entry for purposes of arrest etc U.K.

90 Entry for purpose of arrest etc by a service policeman U.K.

(1) A service policeman may for the purpose of arresting a person enter and search premises within subsection (2), but only if he has reasonable grounds for believing that the person is on the premises.

(2) The premises referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) service living accommodation;

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law;

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline; or

(iii) the person to be arrested;

(c) premises which the service policeman has reasonable grounds for believing to be within paragraph (b).

(3) In relation to premises containing two or more separate dwellings, the powers conferred by subsection (1) are powers to enter and search—

(a) any parts of the premises which the occupiers of any dwelling contained in the premises use in common with the occupiers of any other such dwelling; and

(b) any such dwelling that the service policeman has reasonable grounds for believing the person to be arrested to be in.

(4) A service policeman may, for the purpose of saving life or limb or preventing serious damage to property, enter and search any—

(a) service living accommodation;

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law; or

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline; or

(c) premises which the service policeman has reasonable grounds for believing to be within paragraph (b).

(5) Any power of search conferred by this section is a power to search only to the extent that is reasonably required for the purpose for which the power of entry is exercised.

(6) References in this section to arrest are to arrest under section 67, 69, 110[F7 , 111 or 303,] and related expressions in this section are to be read accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F7 Words in s. 90(6) substituted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 3 para. 3; S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 90 applied (1.8.2013) by The Armed Forces (Retrial for Serious Offences) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1852), arts. 1, 6(7)(b) (with art. 3)

Commencement Information

I15 S. 90 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I16 S. 90 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

91 Entry for purpose of arrest etc by other persons U.K.

(1) An officer may authorise a person subject to service law (other than a service policeman) to exercise, in relation to premises within subsection (2), the powers conferred by section 90(1) on a service policeman; but this is subject to subsection (3).

(2) The premises are—

(a) service living accommodation of a person whose commanding officer is the officer mentioned in subsection (1);

(b) premises occupied as a residence (alone or with other persons) by—

(i) a person subject to service law whose commanding officer is that officer; or

(ii) a civilian subject to service discipline whose commanding officer is that officer;

(c) premises which that officer has reasonable grounds for believing to be within paragraph (b).

(3) An officer may give an authorisation under subsection (1) only if—

(a) the arrest is to be made under section 67;

(b) the offence in respect of which the arrest is to be made is a relevant offence (as defined by section 84); and

(c) the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that, if the arrest could not be made before the earliest time by which it would be practicable to obtain the assistance mentioned in subsection (4)—

(i) the person to be arrested might evade arrest, conceal, damage, alter or destroy evidence, or present a danger to himself or others; or

(ii) discipline or morale among members of any of Her Majesty's forces might be undermined.

(4) That assistance is—

(a) the assistance of a service policeman, or

(b) in a case where corresponding powers conferred by section 17(1)(b) or (c) of PACE or any other enactment are exercisable by a member of a UK police force, the assistance of a member of such a force capable of exercising those corresponding powers.

(5) An officer may authorise a person subject to service law (other than a service policeman) to exercise, in relation to premises within subsection (2), the powers conferred by section 90(4) on a service policeman; but this is subject to subsection (6).

(6) An officer may give an authorisation under subsection (5) in relation to premises within section 90(4)(b) or (c) only if it is not practicable to obtain the assistance of a service policeman in time to take the necessary action to save life or limb or prevent serious damage to property.

(7) The Defence Council may by regulations provide for the delegation by a commanding officer of his functions under this section.

Commencement Information

I17 S. 91 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I18 S. 91 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Additional powers of entry, search and seizure U.K.

92 Power to make provision conferring powers of entry and search after arrest U.K.

The Secretary of State may by order make provision, in relation to premises occupied or controlled by a person who—

(a) has been arrested under section 67, and

(b) is being held in service custody without being charged with a service offence,

which is equivalent to that made by any provision of section 18 of PACE (entry and search after arrest), subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Commencement Information

I19 S. 92 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I20 S. 92 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

93 Power to make provision conferring power of seizure etc U.K.

The Secretary of State may by order make provision, in relation to—

(a) a service policeman who, in connection with the investigation of a service offence, is lawfully on premises which are searchable by virtue of this Part, or

(b) any power of seizure or retention conferred by or under this Part,

which is equivalent to that made by any provision of sections 19 to 21 of PACE (which relate to seizure) or section 22(1) to (4) of that Act (power to retain property seized), subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Commencement Information

I21 S. 93 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I22 S. 93 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4