any decision to charge or to refer the case to the Director of Service Prosecutions;

any decision not to charge or not to refer59 a case in which a suspect has been identified and questioned after caution to the Director of Service Prosecutions. They must give reasons for the decision to the victim, how they can access further information about the decision and how they can seek a review of the decision if they are dissatisfied with it in accordance with the Commanding Officers’ victims’ right to review scheme. Sufficient information must be provided to enable the victim to decide whether or not they wish a review to take place.

the date, time and location of any Summary Hearing; and

the date, time and location of any Service court hearing.

substitute for the charge another charge against the accused;

substantially alter a charge;

bring an additional charge against the accused;

discontinue proceedings on the charge; or

refer the charge to the Director of Service Prosecutions.

any decision to charge63, allocate the charge for trial by a Service court or to refer the case to the Commanding Officer;

any decision not to charge. They must give, the reason for the decision (insufficient evidence or on public including Service interest grounds), how they can access further information about the decision from the Service Prosecuting Authority and how they can seek a review of the decision if they are dissatisfied with it, in accordance with Service Prosecuting Authority’s victims’ right to review scheme. The notification of the decision must include sufficient information to enable the victim to decide whether or not they wish a review to take place.

substitute for the charge another charge against the accused;

substantially alter a charge;

bring an additional charge against the accused;

discontinue proceedings on the charge;

offer no evidence in all proceedings;

refer the charge to the accused’s Commanding Officer;

make a direction barring further proceedings.

notify victims of the time, date, location, adjournment, postponement and outcome of any Summary Hearing without unreasonable delay;

in cases where the victim may be required to give evidence in a summary hearing the Victim Liaison Officer must discuss any needs the victim may have and refer the victim to victim support services where appropriate67;

notify victims who are required to attend a summary hearing to give evidence without unreasonable delay and inform them what to expect including how to access the Military Court Service witness information leaflet;

the Victim Liaison Officer must advise the victim that they may ask to be informed68 of a suspect being released from Service custody and any Service custody release requirements which are imposed, changed or cancelled;

the victim is entitled to the information requested pursuant to paragraph 259(4) of this Code only where there is a danger or an identified risk of harm to the victim, in which case the information will be provided without unnecessary delay69.

notify victims of the time, date, location and outcome of any Service court hearing without unreasonable delay;

following a not-guilty plea, discuss any needs the victim may have and refer the victim to victim support services where appropriate70;

notify victims who are required to attend court to give evidence without unreasonable delay and inform them what to expect, including how they can access the Military Court Service witness information leaflet;

inform victims of the outcome of the Special Measures applications;

the Victim Liaison Officer must advise the victim that they may ask to be informed71 of a suspect being released from Service custody and any Service custody release requirements which are imposed, changed or cancelled;

the victim is entitled to the information requested pursuant to paragraph 262(5) of this Code only where there is a danger or an identified risk of harm to the victim, in which case the information will be provided without unnecessary delay72.

court dates in relation to all hearings;

the outcome of Service custody and administrative Special Measures applications;

adjournments and postponements of scheduled hearings;

ensure that the Service Police, and the Victim Liaison Officer are notified as soon as possible of a suspect being arrested after charge.

offer a full needs assessment to those victims who are required to attend court to give evidence to assess what support they may require. Victims must be informed what to expect including how they can access the witness information leaflet;

where appropriate explain the Special Measures that may be available to assist the victim in giving their best evidence in court;

provide Military Court Service and the Victim Liaison Officer with the list of witnesses attending court as soon as it is finalised so that Military Court Service and the Victim Liaison Officer or in some instances, the Service Police if they are acting as the main point of contact for the victim, can inform victims who are required to give evidence;

if appropriate, consider making a Special Measures application to the court taking into account any views expressed by the victim and record the outcome of that consideration.