Armed Forces Act 2006

[F1 5 (1) It is an offence for a person intentionally— U.K.

(a) to disclose information about statements made, opinions expressed, arguments advanced or votes cast by members of the Court Martial for proceedings in the course of their deliberations, or

(b) to solicit or obtain such information,

subject to the exceptions in paragraphs 6 to 8.

(2) Where a person guilty of an offence under this paragraph—

(a) was a member of the Court Martial for the proceedings, or

(b) at the time the offence was committed, was a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline,

the person is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, but any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence must not exceed two years.

(3) Where any other person is guilty of an offence under this paragraph—

(a) the person is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both), and

(b) proceedings for the offence may not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Attorney General.

(4) The Crown Court has jurisdiction to try an offence under this paragraph committed in England and Wales other than by a person described in sub-paragraph (2), including an offence committed in respect of deliberations of members of the Court Martial sitting outside England and Wales.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2A inserted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 14 para. 3; S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 80 (with Sch. 2 paras. 3(c), 4(c))