Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1968

Unfitness to stand trial U.K.

24 Appeal against finding of unfitness. U.K.

(1) A person found by [F1 a court-martial] [F1 the Court Martial] to be unfit to stand [F2 trial and to have done the act or made the omission charged against him] may, with the leave of the Appeal Court, appeal to the Court against [F3 either or both of those findings].

(2) [F4 In relation to an appeal under this section, this Part of this Act, except [F5 section 8(2) and] sections 13 to 16, shall apply (subject to section 25 below) as it applies in relation to an appeal by a person convicted against his conviction (with the necessary adaptations of references to a person convicted or to conviction).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 24(1) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 25(a); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F2 Words in s. 24(1) substituted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), s. 60, Sch. 3 para. 11(2)(a) (with Sch. 12 para. 8); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)

F3 Words in s. 24(1) substituted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), s. 60, Sch. 3 para. 11(2)(b) (with Sch. 12 para. 8); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)

F4 S. 24(2) repealed (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 25(b), Sch. 17; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F5 Words in s. 24(2) inserted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), s. 60, Sch. 3 para. 11(3) (with Sch. 12 para. 8); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 24 extended by 1995 c. 35, s. 12A(8) (as inserted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 11 para. 2; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

C2 S. 24(1) modified (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 121(1)

[F6 25 Disposal of appeal under s. 24 U.K.

(1) This section applies to appeals under section 24 of this Act.

[F7 (1A) The Appeal Court—

(a) shall allow an appeal against a finding if they think the finding is unsafe; and

(b) shall dismiss such an appeal in any other case.

(1B) If the Appeal Court allow an appeal against a finding they shall quash the finding.]

(2) Where the Appeal Court [F8 allow an appeal against] [F8 quash] a finding that the appellant is unfit to stand trial—

(a) the [F9 appellant may be tried accordingly] [F9 Court may make an order authorising the appellant to be tried] for the offence with which he was charged; and

(b) [F10 the Court may make such orders as appear to them necessary or expedient pending any such trial for the custody, release or continued detention of the appellant.]

[F10 if such an order is made, section 20 and paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 apply in relation to the case as they apply in relation to a case in which an order under section 19 is made (and references there to conviction, and to related expressions, are to be read accordingly).]

(3) [F11 Where, otherwise than in a case falling within subsection (2) above, the Appeal Court allow an appeal against a finding that the appellant did the act or made the omission charged against him, the Court shall, in addition to quashing the finding, direct a finding of not guilty to be recorded (but not a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity).]

[F11 Where the Appeal Court quash a finding that the defendant did the act or made the omission charged, the appellant is to be treated as if he had been acquitted by the Court Martial; but this does not apply if an order under subsection (2)(a) authorising the appellant to be tried is made.]]

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 25 substituted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), s. 60, Sch. 3 para. 12 (with Sch. 12 para. 8); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)

F7 S. 25(1A)(1B) inserted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 26(2); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F8 Word in s. 25(2) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 26(3)(a); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F9 Words in s. 25(2)(a) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 26(3)(b); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F10 S. 25(2)(b) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 26(3)(c); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F11 S. 25(3) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 8 para. 26(4); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 25(2)(b) applied (24.4.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 121(2)