Prize offencesF6U.K.
Textual Amendments applied to the whole legislation
F6Act repealed (prosp.) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 378, 383, Sch. 17 and the repeal being partly in force, as to which see individual provisions
23 Prize offences by commanding officers.U.K.
Every person subject to this Act who, being in command of any of Her Majesty’s ships, vessels or aircraft,—
(a)having taken any ship, vessel or aircraft as prize, fails to send to the High Court, or to some other prize court having jurisdiction in the case, all the ship papers or aircraft papers, as the case may be, found on board;
(b)unlawfully makes any agreement for the ransoming of any ship, vessel, aircraft or goods taken as prize; or
(c)in pursuance of any such agreement as aforesaid, or otherwise by collusion, restores or abandons any ship, vessel, aircraft or goods taken as prize,
shall be liable to [F1imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years] or any less punishment authorised by this Act.
Textual Amendments
F1Words substituted by Armed Forces Act 1971 (c. 33), ss. 3(3), 78(4)
24 Other prize offences.U.K.
Every person subject to this Act who—
(a) . . . F2 ill-treats any person who is on board a ship, vessel or aircraft when taken as prize, or unlawfully takes from any such person anything in his possession;
(b)removes out of any ship, vessel or aircraft taken as prize (otherwise than for safe keeping or for the necessary use and service of any of Her Majesty’s forces [F3or any forces co-operating therewith]) any goods not previously adjudged by a prize court to be lawful prize; or
(c)breaks bulk on board any ship, vessel or aircraft taken as prize, or detained in exercise of any belligerent right or under any enactment, with intent to [F4steal] anything therein,
shall be liable to [F5imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years] or any less punishment authorised by this Act.
Textual Amendments
F2Words repealed by Armed Forces Act 1986 (c. 21, SIF 7:1), ss. 4(1), 16(2), Sch. 2
F3Words inserted by Armed Forces Act 1966 (c. 45), Sch. 4
F4Word substituted by Armed Forces Act 1981 (c. 55), s. 15 except as to an offence alleged to have been committed before 1.5.1982
F5Words substituted by Armed Forces Act 1971 (c. 33), ss. 3(3), 78(4)