The Naval Custody Rules 2000

Procedure at the hearing

23.—(1) The judicial officer shall not be bound at a hearing by any enactment or rule of law relating to the admissibility of evidence in proceedings before courts of law.

(2) The commanding officer and the person to whom the proceedings relate shall each be heard in such order as the judicial officer shall determine and, in exercising his powers under this paragraph, the judicial officer shall adopt such course as appears to him will best serve the interests of justice.

(3) The judicial officer shall explain the order of the proceedings which he proposes to adopt at the beginning of the hearing.

(4) Subject to section 47H(6) of the Act, the commanding officer and the person to whom the proceedings relate shall each be entitled to—

(a) give evidence on oath and call witnesses;

(b) produce to the judicial officer any document or written report; and

(c) address the judicial officer at least once;

on any matter relevant to the proceedings.

(5) The judicial officer shall make a record of the hearing, unless a court recorder is in attendance.