Search Legislation

Armed Forces Act 2006

Status:

Point in time view as at 01/05/2012.

Changes to legislation:

There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Armed Forces Act 2006. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.

Part 19U.K.Supplementary

Chapter 1U.K.Application of Act

Persons subject to service lawU.K.

367Persons subject to service law: regular and reserve forcesU.K.

(1)Every member of the regular forces is subject to service law at all times.

(2)Every member of the reserve forces is subject to service law while—

(a)in permanent service on call-out under any provision of the Reserve Forces Act 1980 (c. 9) or the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (c. 14) or under any other call-out obligation of an officer;

(b)in home defence service on call-out under section 22 of the Reserve Forces Act 1980;

(c)in full-time service under a commitment entered into under section 24 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996;

(d)undertaking any training or duty (whether or not in pursuance of an obligation); or

(e)serving on the permanent staff of a reserve force.

Commencement Information

I1S. 367 in force at 1.10.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/1650, art. 2(c)

I2S. 367 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)

I3S. 367 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

368References to members of the regular forcesU.K.

(1)Subsections (2) and (3) apply for the purposes of this Act.

(2)A person recalled to service under—

(a)any provision of the Reserve Forces Act 1980 or the Reserve Forces Act 1996, or

(b)any other recall obligation of an officer,

is to be regarded as being a member of the regular forces from acceptance into service to release or discharge.

(3)Subject to subsection (2), an officer who is not on the active list is not to be regarded as being a member of the regular forces.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3), an officer is on the active list if (and only if) any of the following provides that an officer of his description is on such a list—

(a)Queen's Regulations;

(b)Royal Warrant;

(c)an order under section 2 of the Air Force (Constitution) Act 1917 (c. 51).

369Members of British overseas territories' forces serving with UK forcesU.K.

(1)While a member of a British overseas territory force is undertaking any duty with or training with a regular or reserve force (“the relevant force”)—

(a)subsection (2) applies to him; and

(b)nothing in section 357 (power of British overseas territory to apply this Act, etc) applies in relation to him.

(2)A person to whom this subsection applies—

(a)is subject to service law; and

(b)shall (subject to subsection (3)) be treated as if he were a member of the relevant force of relative rank or rate.

(3)The Secretary of State may by order modify any provision of this Act in its application to a member of a British overseas territory force who is or has been within subsection (1).

(4)In this section—

  • British overseas territory force” means any of Her Majesty's forces that is raised under the law of a British overseas territory;

  • relative rank or rate”, in relation to a person to whom subsection (2) applies, means such rank or rate of the relevant force as may be prescribed by Queen's Regulations for a person of his description.

Civilians subject to service disciplineU.K.

370Civilians subject to service disciplineU.K.

(1)In this Act “civilian subject to service discipline” means a person who—

(a)is not subject to service law; and

(b)is within any paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 15.

(2)Part 2 of Schedule 15 (exclusion and definitions relating to Part 1) has effect.

Commencement Information

I4S. 370 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I5S. 370 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Naval chaplainsU.K.

371Naval chaplainsU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that such references in this Act—

(a)to an officer, or

(b)to an officer of a particular description,

as may be prescribed by the regulations include references to a naval chaplain or to a naval chaplain of a description prescribed by the regulations.

(2)The regulations may make such modifications of this Act as appear appropriate in consequence of the fact that naval chaplains do not have a rank.

(3)In this section “naval chaplain” means a chaplain in the Royal Navy, the Royal Fleet Reserve or the Royal Naval Reserve.

Commencement Information

I6S. 371 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)

I7S. 371 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

[F1Protected prisoners of warU.K.

Textual Amendments

F1S. 371A and cross-heading inserted (8.3.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), ss. 23(1), 32(3); S.I. 2012/669, art. 3(a)

371APower to make provision in relation to protected prisoners of warU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by warrant make provision with respect to protected prisoners of war.

(2)A Royal Warrant made under this section may in particular make provision in relation to protected prisoners of war which—

(a)applies any relevant provision, or

(b)is equivalent to that made by any relevant provision,

subject to such modifications as may be contained in the Royal Warrant.

(3)In subsection (2) “relevant provision” means any provision of or made under this Act (including any provision creating a service offence), other than any provision of or made under Part 14, 15 or 16.

(4)The Secretary of State must publish a Royal Warrant made under this section in such a way as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

(5)Section 373(5) (power to make supplementary provision etc) applies in relation to Royal Warrants under this section.

(6)In this section “protected prisoner of war” means a person—

(a)who is a protected prisoner of war within the meaning given by section 7 of the Geneva Conventions Act 1957; and

(b)as respects whom the United Kingdom is the detaining power for the purposes of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 12 August 1949 (set out in the Third Schedule to that Act).]

Chapter 2U.K.Other Supplementary Provisions

372Evidence in proceedings before civilian courtsU.K.

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision with respect to evidence, including the admissibility of evidence, in proceedings for an offence created by or under this Act before a civilian court in—

(a)any part of the United Kingdom;

(b)the Isle of Man; or

(c)a British overseas territory.

Commencement Information

I8S. 372 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)

I9S. 372 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

373Orders, regulations and rulesU.K.

(1)Any power to make orders, regulations or rules conferred by this Act on the Secretary of State is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2)The powers conferred by sections [F220A, ] 36, [F3 93F,] 132, 135, 164, 173, 174, 328 to 331 and 340 on the Defence Council to make regulations are exercisable by statutory instrument; and the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36) applies in relation to those powers as if the Defence Council were a Minister of the Crown.

(3)A statutory instrument containing—

(a)an order under section 53, 89, 113, [F4276A(7),] 324(2)(h), 379 or 381,

(b)an order under section 323 which by virtue of section 323(4)(c) makes any provision adding to, replacing or omitting any part of the text of an Act,

(c)regulations under section 128 which make provision of a kind mentioned in section 128(2)(c) or (e) or prescribe documents for the purposes of section 118(2)(b),

(d)regulations under section [F520A, ] 271, 334(2), 336(5)(a) [F6, 336A ] or 338,

(e)regulations under section 328 which make provision of a kind mentioned in section 328(2)(c),

(f)rules under section 163 which—

(i)by virtue of section 155 make provision about the constitution of the Court Martial, or

(ii)make provision authorised by section 165, or

(g)rules under section [F7 232F or ] 246,

may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(4)Any other statutory instrument under this Act, except one containing only an order under any of sections 382 to 384, shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(5)Any order, regulations or rules made under this Act may—

(a)contain incidental, supplemental, consequential, transitional, transitory and saving provision;

(b)make different provision for different cases.

(6)Where a provision of this Act confers a power to make an order containing provision equivalent to a provision of PACE, the order may apply that provision of PACE with modifications.

Textual Amendments

F7Words in s. 373(3)(g) inserted (8.3.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), s. 32(3), Sch. 4 para. 14(4); S.I. 2012/669, art. 3(f)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 373(5) applied by 1984 c. 60, s. 113(14) (as added (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. 16 para. 105(10) (with s. 385); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

C2S. 373(6) applied by 1984 c. 60, s. 113(14) (as added (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. 16 para. 105(10) (with s. 385); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

Chapter 3U.K.Interpretation

374Definitions applying for purposes of whole ActU.K.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

  • the 2003 Act” means the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44);

  • absolute discharge” has the meaning given by section 185;

  • additional duties commitment” means a commitment entered into under section 25 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (c. 14), and references to a person being subject to such a commitment are to be read in accordance with section 377(4) of this Act;

  • aircraft” means any machine capable of flight (whether or not propelled by mechanical means), including any description of balloon;

  • airman” means a person whose rank is junior technician, senior aircraftman, leading aircraftman or aircraftman;

  • associated”, in relation to offences, is to be read in accordance with section 161(1) of the Sentencing Act;

  • British overseas territory police force” has the meaning given by section 375;

  • capable of being heard summarily”, in relation to a charge, is to be read in accordance with section 52;

  • civilian court” means a court of ordinary criminal jurisdiction;

  • civilian subject to service discipline” has the meaning given by section 370;

  • commanding officer” is to be read in accordance with section 360;

  • Commonwealth country” means a country, other than the United Kingdom, that is a member of the Commonwealth;

  • Commonwealth force” means a force of a Commonwealth country;

  • community punishment” means—

    (a)

    a service community order; or

    (b)

    an overseas community order;

  • conditional discharge” has the meaning given by section 185;

  • the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales”, in relation to an offence under section 42, has the meaning given by that section;

  • the court administration officer” means the court administration officer for the Court Martial, the Service Civilian Court and the Summary Appeal Court appointed under section 363;

  • Court Martial rules” has the meaning given by section 163(1);

  • the Crown Court” means the Crown Court in England and Wales;

  • custodial sentence” means—

    (a)

    a sentence of imprisonment (as to which, see section 208);

    (b)

    a sentence of detention under section 209 (certain young offenders);

    (c)

    an order under section 211 (detention and training for young offenders);

    (d)

    a sentence of detention during Her Majesty's pleasure under section 218;

    (e)

    a sentence of detention for public protection under section 226 of the 2003 Act passed as a result of section 221 of this Act; or

    (f)

    a sentence of detention under section 228 of that Act passed as a result of section 222 of this Act;

  • deserting” has the meaning given by section 8, and references to desertion are to be read accordingly;

  • the Director of Service Prosecutions” means the person appointed under section 364;

  • enemy” includes—

    (a)

    all persons engaged in armed operations against any of Her Majesty's forces or against any force co-operating with any of Her Majesty's forces;

    (b)

    all pirates; and

    (c)

    all armed mutineers, armed rebels and armed rioters;

  • an ex-regular reserve force” means the Royal Fleet Reserve, the Army Reserve or the Royal Air Force Reserve;

  • fit to stand trial” is to be read in accordance with section 166(2);

  • guardian” has the same meaning as in the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12);

  • “Her Majesty's air forces”, “Her Majesty's forces” and “Her Majesty's military forces” do not include any Commonwealth force;

  • higher authority” has the meaning given by section 361;

  • judge advocate” has the meaning given by section 362;

  • mental disorder” has the same meaning as in the Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20) and “mentally disordered” is to be read accordingly;

  • minor punishment” means a punishment under row 7 of the Table in section 132 or row 11 of the Table in section 164;

  • non-commissioned officer” includes a person whose rate is chief petty officer, petty officer or leading rate;

  • officer” includes a midshipman;

  • overseas community order” has the meaning given by section 182;

  • overseas police force” has the meaning given by section 375;

  • PACE” means the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60);

  • the prescribed sum” has the meaning given by section 32(9) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43);

  • property” includes—

    (a)

    real property in England, Wales or Northern Ireland;

    (b)

    heritable property in Scotland;

    (c)

    property outside the United Kingdom in the nature of real property;

  • provost officer” means an officer who is a service policeman;

  • the regular army” means any of Her Majesty's military forces other than—

    (a)

    the Army Reserve;

    (b)

    the Territorial Army; and

    (c)

    forces raised under the law of a British overseas territory;

  • the regular forces” means the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the regular army or the Royal Air Force, and references to “a regular force” are to be read accordingly;

  • the reserve forces” means the Royal Fleet Reserve, the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marines Reserve, the Army Reserve, the Territorial Army, the Royal Air Force Reserve or the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and references to “a reserve force” are to be read accordingly;

  • SAC rules” has the meaning given by section 151(1);

  • SCC rules” has the meaning given by section 288(1);

  • the Sentencing Act” means the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6);

  • service community order” has the meaning given by section 178;

  • service compensation order” has the meaning given by section 175;

  • the Service Complaints Commissioner” means the person appointed under section 366;

  • service detention” means detention under row 1 of the Table in section 132 or row 4 of the Table in section 164;

  • service offence” has the meaning given by section 50;

  • “service police force” and “service policeman” have the meanings given by section 375;

  • the Service Prosecuting Authority” means the Director of Service Prosecutions and the persons appointed under section 365 (prosecuting officers);

  • service supervision and punishment order” has the meaning given by section 173;

  • ship” includes a hovercraft and any description of vessel;

  • standard scale” is to be read in accordance with section 377(5) and (7);

  • statutory maximum” is to be read in accordance with section 377(6) and (7);

  • subject to service law” is to be read in accordance with sections 367 to 369 of this Act and section 4(3)(a) (attached Commonwealth personnel) of the Visiting Forces (British Commonwealth) Act 1933 (c. 6);

  • superior officer”, in relation to a person (“A”), means an officer, warrant officer or non-commissioned officer who is subject to service law and—

    (a)

    is of superior rank or rate to A; or

    (b)

    is of equal rank or rate to A and is exercising authority as A's superior;

  • suspended sentence of imprisonment” means a sentence to which an order under section 189(1) of the 2003 Act relates;

  • suspended sentence of service detention” has the meaning given by section 190;

  • UK police force” has the meaning given by section 375;

  • unfit to stand trial” is to be read in accordance with section 166(2);

  • a volunteer reserve force” means the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marines Reserve, the Territorial Army or the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I10S. 374 in force at 1.10.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/1650, art. 2(b)

I11S. 374 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)

I12S. 374 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

375Definitions relating to police forcesU.K.

(1)In this Act “service police force” means—

(a)the Royal Navy Police;

(b)the Royal Military Police; or

(c)the Royal Air Force Police;

and “service policeman” means a member of a service police force.

(2)In this Act “UK police force” means—

(a)the Ministry of Defence Police;

(b)any police force maintained under section 2 of the Police Act 1996 (c. 16) (police forces in England and Wales outside London);

(c)the metropolitan police force;

(d)the City of London police force;

(e)any police force maintained under or by virtue of section 1 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (c. 77);

(f)the Police Service of Northern Ireland; or

(g)the Isle of Man Constabulary.

(3)In this Act “British overseas territory police force” means any force or body which—

(a)is constituted in a British overseas territory; and

(b)is engaged in the carrying on of activities similar to any carried on by a service police force or UK police force.

(4)In this Act “overseas police force” means any force or body which—

(a)is constituted outside the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man; and

(b)is engaged in the carrying on of activities similar to any carried on by a service police force or UK police force.

F8(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I13S. 375(2)-(4) in force at 1.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/1650, art. 2(d)

376“Conviction”, “sentence” etc in relation to summary hearings and the SACU.K.

(1)Where a charge against a person in respect of an offence is heard summarily by an officer, subsections (2) to (4) apply for the purposes of references in this Act to conviction, acquittal, sentence or passing sentence, or to any related expressions.

(2)If the officer records a finding that the charge has been proved, or the Summary Appeal Court substitutes a finding that a charge in respect of another offence has been proved, that shall be treated as a conviction.

(3)Any punishment awarded by the officer, or by the Summary Appeal Court, shall be treated as a sentence.

(4)If the officer dismisses the charge under section 131, or the Summary Appeal Court quashes a finding that the charge has been proved, that shall be treated as an acquittal.

(5)In this Act “in open court”, in relation to a summary hearing by an officer, means in the presence of the offender.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4S. 376(1) applied by 1984 c. 60, s. 113(12A) (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. 16 para. 105(9) (with s. 385); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

C5S. 376(1)-(3) applied by S.I. 1978/1908 (N.I. 27), art. 4(1A) (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. 16 para. 85 (with s. 385); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

C6S. 376(2) applied by 1984 c. 60, s. 113(12A) (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. 16 para. 105(9) (with s. 385); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

Commencement Information

I14S. 376 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)

I15S. 376 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

377Further interpretive provisionsU.K.

(1)For the purposes of any provision of this Act which requires the determination of the age of a person by the court, an officer or a judge advocate, his age is to be taken to be that which it appears to the court, officer or judge advocate to be after considering any available evidence.

(2)Any reference in this Act to an offence punishable with imprisonment shall be construed without regard to any prohibition or restriction imposed on the imprisonment of young offenders.

(3)The question whether a member of a regular or reserve force (“force A”) is for the purposes of any provision of this Act of inferior, equal or superior rank or rate to a member of any other such force (“force B”) is to be decided by reference to any provision made by Queen's Regulations which lays down how the ranks or rates in force A relate to the ranks or rates in force B.

(4)For the purposes of this Act, a person is subject to an additional duties commitment if—

(a)he has entered into such a commitment; and

(b)the commitment is still in force.

(5)Any reference in this Act to a specified level on the standard scale is to the amount specified, in relation to that level, in the standard scale for the time being set out in section 37 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48).

(6)Any reference in this Act to the statutory maximum is to the prescribed sum within the meaning of section 32 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43).

(7)But subsections (5) and (6) do not apply in relation to any offence in Scotland or Northern Ireland under—

(a)section 344, 345 or 346; or

(b)regulations made by virtue of section 328(4)(b) or 343(5)(b).

Commencement Information

I16S. 377 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)

I17S. 377 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Chapter 4U.K.Final Provisions

378Minor and consequential amendments and repealsU.K.

(1)Schedule 16 (minor and consequential amendments) has effect.

(2)The provisions specified in Schedule 17 are hereby repealed or revoked to the extent specified there.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7S. 378(1) extended (Guernsey) (with modifications) (10.12.2009) by The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Guernsey) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3215), arts. 1(2), 5,

C8S. 378(1) extended (Isle of Man) (with modifications) (18.3.2010) by The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Isle of Man) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/764), arts. 1(2), 5

C9S. 378(1) extended (Jersey) (with modifications) (18.3.2010) by The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Jersey) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/765), arts. 1(2), 5

Commencement Information

I18S. 378 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)

I19S. 378 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

I20S. 378(1) in force at 4.6.2007 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

I21S. 378(1) in force at 15.10.2007 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/2913, art. 2

I22S. 378(1) in force at 1.1.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/2913, art. 3

I23S. 378(2) in force at 1.1.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/2913, art. 3

I24S. 378(2) in force at 24.6.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/1650, art. 4(c)

I25S. 378(2) in force at 1.10.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/1650, art. 2(e)

379Power to make further amendments and repealsU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)amend or repeal any enactment passed before or in the same session as this Act;

(b)amend or revoke subordinate legislation made before the passing of this Act.

(2)In subsection (1)—

(a)enactment” includes an Act of the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland legislation;

(b)the reference to subordinate legislation includes an instrument made under such an Act or under Northern Ireland legislation.

(3)An order under subsection (1) may be made only for the purposes of—

(a)supplementing or giving full effect to this Act; or

(b)making provision consequential on the passing of this Act.

Commencement Information

I26S. 379 in force at 4.6.2007 by S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(2)

380Power to make transitional and transitory provisionU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by order make transitional provision in connection with the coming into force of any provision made by or under this Act, including savings from the effect of any repeal or revocation so made.

(2)An order under subsection (1) may in particular make provision—

(a)about the effect of liabilities incurred and other things done before commencement, including provision for and about the investigation, trial and punishment of offences committed before commencement;

(b)for and about the continuation of any proceedings begun before commencement;

(c)about the punishments and orders available to courts or other persons before whom proceedings take place in respect of offences committed before commencement;

(d)about the effect of punishments awarded and orders made in respect of offences committed before commencement.

(3)An order under subsection (1) may—

(a)confer jurisdiction on any court;

(b)confer functions on a person's commanding officer, the Director of Service Prosecutions, the prosecuting authority within the meaning of any of the Army Act 1955 (3 & 4 Eliz. 2 c. 18), the Air Force Act 1955 (3 & 4 Eliz. 2 c. 19) or the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (c. 53), or on service policemen;

(c)confer powers of arrest, search and entry;

(d)authorise the keeping of persons in service custody, and the imposition of requirements on release from service custody (including provision applying section 107(5) and (6) with or without modifications).

(4)The Secretary of State may by order provide that—

(a)until the coming into force of any enactment specified in the order, or

(b)in relation to any offence committed or other thing done before the coming into force of such an enactment,

any provision of this Act or amended by or under this Act has effect with such modifications as may be specified by the order.

(5)In subsection (4)(a) and (b) “enactment” includes any provision of this Act.

(6)If any provision made by or under this Act is to come into force before the day on which section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43) (abolition of certain custodial sentences for young offenders) comes into force (or fully into force), an order under subsection (4) may provide for custodial punishments specified in the order to be available in respect of offenders who are convicted aged 18 or over but under 21.

(7)The powers conferred by this section may not be exercised so as to allow the imposition in respect of an offence of a punishment more severe than that which was applicable when the offence was committed.

(8)An order under this section may modify, exclude or apply (with or without modifications) any enactment or subordinate legislation, including—

(a)any provision of or made under this Act;

(b)any provision of or made under an enactment repealed by this Act.

[F9(8A)The power under subsection (1) to make transitional provision in connection with the coming into force of any provision made by or under this Act includes power, where this Act or any provision made under it is amended, to amend any earlier order under this section.]

F10(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10)In this section “commencement” means the commencement of such provisions of this Act as may be specified by the order.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I27S. 380 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)

I28S. 380 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

381Alignment of SDAs etc with this ActU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by order amend or repeal any provision of an enactment within subsection (3) for the purpose of reducing or eliminating any difference between the effect of the enactments within that subsection and the effect of this Act.

(2)An order under subsection (1) may amend an enactment within subsection (3) in such a way as to confer on any person a power to make subordinate legislation.

(3)The enactments are—

(a)the Army Act 1955;

(b)the Air Force Act 1955;

(c)the Naval Discipline Act 1957;

(d)the Army and Air Force Act 1961 (c. 52);

(e)the Armed Forces Act 1966 (c. 45);

(f)such provisions of the following Acts as are repealed by this Act—

(i)the Armed Forces Act 1976 (c. 52);

(ii)the Reserve Forces Act 1980 (c. 9);

(iii)the Armed Forces Act 1981 (c. 55);

(iv)the Armed Forces Act 1991 (c. 62);

(v)the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (c. 14);

(vi)the Armed Forces Act 2001 (c. 19).

Commencement Information

I29S. 381 in force at 4.6.2007 by S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(2)

[F11382Duration of this ActU.K.

(1)This Act expires at the end of one year beginning with the day on which the Armed Forces Act 2011 is passed (but this is subject to subsection (2)).

(2)Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide that, instead of expiring at the time it would otherwise expire, this Act shall expire at the end of a period of not more than one year from that time.

(3)Such an Order may not provide for the continuation of this Act beyond the end of the year 2016.

(4)No recommendation may be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order under subsection (2) unless a draft of the Order has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, each House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F11S. 382 substituted (3.11.2011) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), ss. 1, 32(1)

383CommencementU.K.

(1)This section and sections 359, 373, 382, 384 and 386, and the repeal by this Act of section 1 of the Armed Forces Act 2001 (c. 19), come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(2)The other provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint (and different days may be appointed for different purposes).

384Extent to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and British overseas territoriesU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide for all or any of the provisions of this Act to extend to any of the Channel Islands with such modifications as may be specified in the Order.

(2)This Act extends to—

(a)the Isle of Man, and

(b)the British overseas territories,

subject to such modifications as Her Majesty may by Order in Council specify.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11S. 384 applied by 2003 c. 44, s. 337(12A) (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. 16 para. 233(3) (with s. 385); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

C12S. 384 applied by 1991 c. 62, s. 24(4) (as 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. 16 para. 122 (with s. 385); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

C13S. 384 applied by 1995 c. 35, s. 33(6) (as added (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. 11 (with s. 385); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4)

C14S. 384 modified (12.11.2009) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 181(8), 182(1)(f) (with s. 180)

385Extent of applied enactmentsU.K.

(1)Where a provision of or made under an Act is applied by or under this Act (by whatever words), the extent of the provision as so applied is not affected by anything that limits the extent of the provision as it applies apart from this Act.

(2)The provision as so applied is to be treated for the purposes of section 384 as if it were contained in this Act.

Commencement Information

I30S. 385 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)

I31S. 385 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

386Short titleU.K.

This Act may be cited as the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources