Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate Rules (Cth)

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Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate Rules

Select Legislative Instrument No. 296, 2009 as amended

made under the

Defence Force Discipline Act 1982

Compilation start date:                    25 October 2013

Includes amendments up to:            SLI No. 235, 2013

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate Rules as in force on 25 October 2013. It includes any commenced amendment affecting the legislation to that date.

This compilation was prepared on 5 November 2013.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of each amended provision.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in the endnotes.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If a provision of the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details are included in the endnotes.

Provisions ceasing to have effect

If a provision of the compiled law has expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                      1

1............ Name of Rules.................................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement.................................................................................. 1

3............ Interpretation...................................................................................... 1

4............ Cases not covered by the Act, these Rules or the regulations............ 1

5............ Summons to accused person............................................................... 2

6............ Service of summons........................................................................... 2

7............ Instrument for purposes of section 194A of the Act.......................... 3

Part 2—Charge sheets and charges                                                            4

8............ Charge sheets...................................................................................... 4

9............ Charges............................................................................................... 5

10.......... How charges to be construed.............................................................. 5

11.......... Amendment of charge sheets by judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate     5

12.......... Withdrawal of charge......................................................................... 6

Part 3—Witnesses                                                                                          7

13.......... Securing appearance of witness on behalf of accused person............ 7

14.......... Director of Military Prosecutions to notify accused person of evidence or intention not to call witness at trial by court martial or Defence Force magistrate.................................... 7

15.......... Exclusion of witness from court......................................................... 8

16.......... Examination of witness...................................................................... 9

17.......... Calling and recalling witnesses........................................................ 10

18.......... Witness to reply forthwith................................................................ 10

19.......... Expenses for witnesses..................................................................... 11

Part 4—Registrar                                                                                          12

20.......... Registrar may liaise with certain persons......................................... 12

21.......... Registrar may consult with services about conduct of proceedings. 12

22.......... Registrar may consult with services about administrative support for trial proceedings      13

23.......... Order referring charge or case to Defence Force magistrate............ 13

24.......... Registrar to provide certain documents............................................ 13

25.......... Inspection of exhibits before trial..................................................... 14

Part 5—Courts martial                                                                               15

26.......... Functions of President...................................................................... 15

27.......... Functions of judge advocate............................................................. 15

28.......... Manner of voting of court martial.................................................... 16

29.......... Objections to members of court martial........................................... 16

30.......... Swearing of court martial................................................................. 16

Part 6—Defence Force magistrate                                                            17

31.......... Functions of Defence Force magistrate............................................ 17

Part 7—Trial provisions                                                                              18

32.......... Employment of, objections to, and swearing of recorders and interpreters          18

33.......... Administration of oaths and affirmations......................................... 19

34.......... Application by accused person or prosecuting officer for adjournment of proceedings      19

35.......... Right of accused person and prosecuting officer to argue and adduce evidence on matter to be decided.......................................................................................................... 19

36.......... Pleading to charges and arraignment................................................ 19

37.......... Opening address by prosecution....................................................... 20

38.......... Judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate may direct substitution of plea of not guilty    20

39.......... Submission of no case to answer...................................................... 20

40.......... Opening address by defence............................................................. 21

41.......... Closing addresses............................................................................. 21

42.......... Summing up..................................................................................... 21

43.......... Evidence as to material facts after conviction on plea of guilty...... 21

44.......... Convicted person’s record etc and plea in mitigation...................... 22

Part 8—Procedure for imposing punishment in case of breach of undertaking to be of good behaviour                                                                                        23

45.......... Application....................................................................................... 23

46.......... Evidence as to material facts, convicted person’s record etc and plea in mitigation           23

Part 9—Record of proceedings and exhibits                                          24

47.......... Record of proceedings before court martial or Defence Force magistrate           24

48.......... Inspection of record of proceedings etc during trial......................... 25

49.......... Loss of original record of proceedings............................................. 25

50.......... Exhibits............................................................................................. 25

51.......... Relief from Rules............................................................................. 26

Schedule 1—Statement of offences                                                 27

Part 1—Offences against Defence Force Discipline Act 1982              27

Part 2—Offences against Defence Force Discipline Regulations 1985 34

Part 3—Offences against Criminal Code                                                35

Schedule 2—Form of charge sheet                                                  36

Endnotes37

Endnote 1—About the endnotes                                                              37

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key                                                                 39

Endnote 3—Legislation history                                                              40

Endnote 4—Amendment history                                                            41

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]                                   42

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]                                                           42

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]                                      42

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]                                                          42

Part 1—Preliminary

1Name of Rules

These Rules are the Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate Rules.

2Commencement

These Rules commence on 23 October 2009.

3Interpretation

In these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears:

arraign, in relation to an accused person at a trial by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, means reading a charge to the person, calling upon the person to plead to the charge and recording the person’s plea to the charge.

authorized member of the Defence Force has the same meaning as in section 87 of the Act.

recorder means a person who records the spoken word, whether by longhand, shorthand, or mechanical or other means and includes a person who operates or transcribes mechanical or other recordings of the spoken word.

serious service offence has the same meaning as in Part VI of the Act.

4Cases not covered by the Act, these Rules or the regulations

Where, in the course of or in relation to proceedings before a court martial, a judge advocate of a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, a case arises for which no provision or insufficient provision is made by the Act, these Rules or any regulations made under subsection 146(2) of the Act:

(a)the established course that would, in the particular case, have applied in a trial by jury in a civil court in the Jervis Bay Territory in its criminal jurisdiction shall be adopted; or

(b)if there is no such established course, such course shall be adopted as the interests of justice require.

5Summons to accused person

A summons under subsection 87(5) of the Act shall specify:

(a)the name of the accused person; and

(b)the purpose for which the person is required to appear before the court martial or Defence Force magistrate; and

(c)the time and place at which the person is required by the summons to appear.

6Service of summons

(1)A summons that is required by subsection 87(5) or 138(2) of the Act to be served on a person shall be served:

(a)by delivering the original summons or a copy of the original summons to the person personally; or

(b)by prepaying and posting the summons as a letter addressed to the person at the person’s last‑known place of residence or business or, if the person is carrying on business at 2 or more places, at 1 of those places; or

(c)by leaving the summons at the last‑known place of residence of the person with some person apparently a resident of that place and apparently not less than 16 years of age; or

(d)by leaving the summons at the last‑known place of business of the person or, if the person is carrying on business at 2 or more places, at 1 of those places with a person apparently in the service of the person and apparently not less than 16 years of age; or

(e)if the person (other than the accused) consents—by fax or email.

(2)A summons served by fax under paragraph(1)(e) is taken to have been effected on completion of the transmission.

(3)A summons served by email under paragraph(1)(e) is taken to have been effected at the time of receipt of the email.

(4)If a person other than a defence member is required to appear under a summons, the summoner must, at a reasonable time before the person is required to appear:

(a)pay the person’s travel expenses; or

(b)arrange with the person to pay the person’s travel expenses; or

(c)arrange the person’s travel, and advise the person of the arrangements.

Note:See also rule 19 (Expenses for witnesses).

(5)In this rule:

summoner means the person at whose request the summons was issued.

travel expenses means a reasonable amount to enable the person to travel between:

(a)the place where the person lives or works, whichever is appropriate in the circumstances; and

(b)the place where the person is required to appear under the summons.

7Instrument for purposes of section 194A of the Act

An instrument for the purposes of section 194A of the Act may be issued by an appropriate authority, and shall:

(a)be directed to the person in charge of the prison where the prisoner is undergoing the sentence of imprisonment; and

(b)require the person to produce the prisoner at the time and place specified in the instrument; and

(c)specify the purpose for which the prisoner is required to be produced.

Part 2—Charge sheets and charges

8Charge sheets

(1)A charge against an accused person must be entered in a charge sheet that is signed and dated by the Director of Military Prosecutions.

(2)A charge sheet for the trial of an accused person by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate may contain more than 1 charge if the offences charged:

(a)form, or are part of, a series of offences of the same or a similar character; or

(b)are founded on the same or closely related acts or omissions; or

(c)are founded on a series of acts done or omitted to be done in the prosecution of a single purpose; or

(d)are alternative to other charges in the charge sheet.

(3)At a trial before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, 2 or more accused persons may be charged in the same charge sheet with offences alleged to have been committed by them separately if the acts or omissions on which the charges are founded are so connected that it is in the interests of justice that they be tried together.

(4)A charge sheet must be in accordance with Schedule 2.

(5)If charges against an accused are contained in more than 1 charge sheet, the Director of Military Prosecutions may direct the Registrar to:

(a)convene 1 court martial for the trial of the charges on all charge sheets; or

(b)refer all of the charges for trial before a single Defence Force magistrate; or 

(c)do some combination of paragraph (a) and (b).

9Charges

(1)A charge shall state 1 offence only.

(2)A charge shall consist of 2 parts, namely:

(a)a statement of the offence that the accused person is alleged to have committed; and

(b)particulars of the act or omission constituting the offence.

(3)A statement of an offence shall contain:

(a)in the case of an offence other than an offence against the common law—a reference to the provision of the law creating the offence; and

(b)in any case—a sufficient statement of the offence.

(4)Without prejudice to any other sufficient manner of setting out the statement of an offence, the statement of an offence shall be sufficient if it is set out in the appropriate form in Schedule 1.

(5)Particulars of an offence shall contain a sufficient statement of the circumstances of the offence to enable the accused person to know what it is intended to prove against that person as constituting the offence.

(6)At a trial by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, 2 or more accused persons may be charged jointly in 1 charge of an offence alleged to have been committed by them jointly.

10How charges to be construed

The statement of an offence and particulars of that offence, in a charge, shall be read and construed together.

11Amendment of charge sheets by judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate

Where it appears to a judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate at any time during a hearing of proceedings that there is, in the charge sheet:

(a)a mistake in the name or description of the accused person; or

(b)a mistake that is attributable to clerical error or omission;

the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate may amend the charge sheet so as to correct the mistake.

12Withdrawal of charge

A court martial or Defence Force magistrate may allow the prosecuting officer to withdraw:

(a)a charge, before the accused person is arraigned on it; or

(b)a charge sheet, before the accused person is arraigned on any charge in it.

Part 3—Witnesses

13Securing appearance of witness on behalf of accused person

(1)The relevant authority must take the necessary steps to secure the appearance at the hearing of a proceeding before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate of persons reasonably required by the accused person to appear to give evidence, and (if so required) to produce documents, on that person’s behalf.

(2)In this rule, relevant authority means:

(a)the Chief of the Defence Force; or

(b)a delegate of the Chief of the Defence Force of at least the rank of Colonel (or an equivalent rank).

14Director of Military Prosecutions to notify accused person of evidence or intention not to call witness at trial by court martial or Defence Force magistrate

(1)If the Director of Military Prosecutions requests the Registrar to refer a matter for trial, the Director of Military Prosecutions must ensure that:

(a)the accused person; and

(b)if a trial by a court martial is requested—the Registrar;

are provided with, or have already been provided with, the information or copies of the documents mentioned in subrule (3).

(2)The Registrar must disclose to the judge advocate all information and documents provided to the Registrar under subrule (1).

(3)For subrule (1), the information and documents are as follows:

(a)the charge sheet, signed and dated by the Director of Military Prosecutions;

(b)the record of evidence in relation to the charge taken at any proceedings before a summary authority, together with all documents relating to those proceedings;

(c)a list of the names of prosecution witnesses;

(d)a list of prosecution exhibits;

(e)each witness statement from a witness mentioned in paragraph (c);

(f)any information, document or thing in the possession of the prosecuting officer that is relevant to the reliability or credibility of a prosecution witness;

(g)any information, document or thing in the possession of the prosecuting officer that is adverse to the credit or credibility of the accused person.

(4)If the prosecuting officer decides not to call a witness to give evidence that:

(a)is contained in a written statement furnished to the accused person under paragraph (3)(e); or

(b)has been notified to the accused person under subrule (1);

the prosecuting officer must:

(c)if it is practicable to do so before the trial, inform the accused person:

(i)that the prosecuting officer does not intend to call the witness to give evidence; and

(ii)that the accused person may call the witness as a witness for the defence; or

(d)inform the accused person at the trial that the prosecuting officer does not intend to call the witness to give evidence but will tender the witness for cross‑examination by the accused person if the accused person so requests.

15Exclusion of witness from court

(1)During proceedings before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, a witness shall not, except by leave of the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate, be in court while not under examination.

(2)The judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate may direct a witness to withdraw from the court until the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate makes a decision on an objection that relates to:

(a)the allowing of a question; or

(b)the evidence given, or about to be given, by the witness.

(3)Nothing in this rule requires the accused person, a person representing the accused person in the proceedings, or the prosecuting officer, to be absent, or withdraw, from the proceedings.

16Examination of witness

(1)A witness appearing before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate:

(a)may be:

(i)examined by the person who called the witness; and

(ii)cross‑examined by the opposite party to the proceedings or by a co‑accused; and

(b)on conclusion of any cross‑examination, may be re‑examined, on matters arising out of the cross‑examination, by the person who called the witness.

(2)The court martial or Defence Force magistrate may allow the cross‑examination or re‑examination of a witness to be postponed if, in the opinion of the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate, it is in the interests of justice to do so.

(3)A judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate may put questions to a witness.

(3A)During a trial by court martial, members of the court martial are entitled to question a witness, if:

(a)in the opinion of the judge advocate, the question is relevant and admissible; and

(b)the question is put to the witness by the judge advocate.

(4)Upon a question put under subrule (3) or (3A) being answered, the accused person and the prosecuting officer may put to the witness such questions, arising from the answer that the witness has given, as seem proper to the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate.

17Calling and recalling witnesses

(1)The prosecuting officer and the accused person may, at any time before:

(a)at a trial by court martial—the judge advocate begins to sum up; or

(b)at a trial by Defence Force magistrate—the Defence Force magistrate makes a finding on the charge;

recall a witness by leave of the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate.

(2)After the witnesses for the defence have given their evidence, the prosecuting officer may, by leave of the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate, call a witness to give evidence on any matter raised by the accused person in the accused person’s defence in respect of which evidence could not properly have been adduced, or which could not reasonably have been foreseen, by the prosecution before the accused person presented his or her defence.

(3)The service tribunal may, at any time before:

(a)at a trial by court martial—the judge advocate begins to sum up; or

(b)at a trial by Defence Force magistrate—the Defence Force magistrate makes a finding on the charge;

call or recall a witness if, in the opinion of the  judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate, it is in the interests of justice to do so.

(4)When a witness is called or recalled under this rule, the accused person and the prosecuting officer may put such questions to the witness as seem proper to the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate.

18Witness to reply forthwith

(1)Subject to subrule (2), a witness appearing before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate shall reply forthwith to each question put to the witness.

(2)Where a question is objected to or a witness claims privilege, the witness shall not answer the question unless the objection or claim is overruled by the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate.

19Expenses for witnesses

(1)A person (other than a defence member) summoned to appear as a witness before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate shall be paid such fees, and allowances for expenses, in respect of the witness’s attendance as the appropriate authority thinks fit to allow in accordance with the scale in Schedule 2 to the Public Works Committee Regulations as in force from time to time under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

(2)At the request of the appropriate authority, the functions in subrule (1) are to be carried out by:

(a)the Chief of the Defence Force; or

(b)a delegate of the Chief of the Defence Force of at least the rank of Colonel (or an equivalent rank); or

(c)the Director of Military Prosecutions.

Part 4—Registrar

20Registrar may liaise with certain persons

In order to fulfil a function or a duty under the Act, these Rules or the regulations, the Registrar may liaise or consult with any of the following:

(a)a judge advocate;

(b)a prosecuting officer;

(c)a defending officer;

(d)the Director of Defence Counsel Services;

(e)service authorities;

(f)personnel who may be appointed as the President, member or reserve member of a court martial;

(g)civilian agencies and authorities.

21Registrar may consult with services about conduct of proceedings

(1)The Registrar may consult with the services in relation to any matter concerning the administration of proceedings before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate.

(2)The matters in relation to which the Registrar may consult and liaise under subrule (1) include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a)the service details of the accused person;

(b)notification to the accused person;

(c)current posting location and chain of command for the accused person;

(d)the date, time and location of the proceedings;

(e)the appointment of an administrative officer, clerk, orderly or escort officer, as appropriate;

(f)service dress requirements for military and other personnel in attendance at the proceedings;

(g)customs of the services;

(h)information technology support requirements for the proceedings;

(i)financial arrangements in relation to the proceedings;

(j)the process for the appointment and administration of a court martial President, the members and the reserve members.

22Registrar may consult with services about administrative support for trial proceedings

(1)The Registrar may consult with the services concerning the nomination and appointment of staff from the services to perform the administrative duties and functions of a proceeding before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate.

(2)Without limiting subrule (1), the Registrar may consult in relation to staff to be appointed from the services to 1 or more of the following positions:

(a)administrative officer;

(b)clerk;

(c)orderly;

(d)escort officer;

(e)other administrative support personnel as necessary.

23Order referring charge or case to Defence Force magistrate

When the Registrar refers a charge or a case to a Defence Force magistrate, the Registrar must, in the order referring the charge or the case:

(a)specify the Defence Force magistrate to whom the charge or case is referred; and

(b)fix, or provide for the fixing of, the time and place for the hearing of the charge or case.

24Registrar to provide certain documents

(1)When the Registrar convenes a court martial for the trial of a charge, the Registrar must cause to be sent:

(a)to the President and each member or reserve member of the court martial—a copy of the convening order; and

(b)to the judge advocate:

(i)the convening order; and

(ii)the charge sheet; and

(iii)the record of evidence taken at proceedings (if held) in relation to the charge before a commanding officer or a superior summary authority; and

(iv)any other statement taken from a witness to be called for the prosecution; and

(c)to the accused person—copies of the documents referred to in subparagraphs (b)(i) and (ii); and

(d)to the prosecuting officer—a copy of the document referred to in subparagraph (b)(i).

(2)When the Registrar refers a charge to a Defence Force magistrate for trial, the Registrar must cause to be sent:

(a)to the Defence Force magistrate:

(i)the order referring the charge; and

(ii)the charge sheet; and

(b)to the accused person—copies of the documents referred to in paragraph (a); and

(c)to the prosecuting officer—a copy of the order referring the charge.

25Inspection of exhibits before trial

(1)An accused person who has been sent a list of exhibits in accordance with rule 14 must, on application by the person to the Director of Military Prosecutions, be permitted by the custodian of the exhibit to inspect and to copy any exhibit.

(2)The custodian of the exhibit must ensure that proper precautions are taken for the safety of the exhibit during an inspection under subrule (1).

Part 5—Courts martial

26Functions of President

In addition to the functions that the President of a court martial has in his or her capacity as a member of the court martial and any functions conferred on the President by the Act or any other rule, the functions of the President are:

(a)when presiding over a sitting of the court martial—to ensure that the proceedings are conducted in accordance with the Act and these Rules and in a manner befitting a court of justice; and

(b)to speak on behalf of the court martial in announcing a finding or sentence or any other decision taken by the court martial; and

(c)to speak on behalf of the members of the court martial in conferring with, or requesting advice from, the judge advocate on any question of law or procedure.

27Functions of judge advocate

In addition to any functions conferred on the judge advocate by the Act, the regulations or any other rule, the functions of the judge advocate are:

(a)subject to subsection 133(6) of the Act, to be present at all sittings of a court martial; and

(b)to preside over all hearings conducted in pursuance of subsection 134(2) or 141(7) of the Act and to ensure, at all such hearings, that the proceedings are conducted in accordance with the Act and these Rules and in a manner befitting a court of justice; and

(c)to ensure that an accused person who is not represented does not in consequence of that fact suffer any undue disadvantage; and

(d)to ensure that a proper record of the proceedings is made and that the record of proceedings and the exhibits (if any) are properly safeguarded.

28Manner of voting of court martial

On any question to be determined by a court martial, the members of the court martial shall vote orally, in order of seniority, commencing with the junior in rank.

29Objections to members of court martial

(1)Before the members of a court martial are sworn, their names shall be read to the accused person and that person shall be asked whether he or she objects to be tried by any of them.

(2)This rule applies in relation to a reserve member or new member who is appointed to a court martial in place of another member in the same way that it applies to an original member of the court martial.

30Swearing of court martial

(1)After all objections by the accused person to members of the court martial have been dealt with and before the arraignment of the accused person begins, the judge advocate shall, in the presence of the accused person, administer, or cause to be administered, an oath or affirmation to the President and each other member of the court martial.

(2)The oath or affirmation to be taken or made by a person for the purposes of this rule is an oath or affirmation that:

(a)the person will duly administer justice according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will; and

(b)the person will well and truly try the accused person or persons before the court martial, according to the evidence; and

(c)the person will not disclose the vote or opinion of any member of the court martial unless required to do so in due course of law.

Part 6—Defence Force magistrate

31Functions of Defence Force magistrate

In addition to any functions conferred on the Defence Force magistrate by the Act, the regulations or any other rule, the functions of the magistrate at any proceedings before the magistrate are to ensure:

(a)that the proceedings are conducted in accordance with the Act and these Rules and in a manner befitting a court of justice; and

(b)that an accused person who is not represented does not in consequence of that fact suffer any undue disadvantage; and

(c)that a proper record of the proceedings is made and that the record of proceedings and the exhibits (if any) are properly safeguarded.

Part 7—Trial provisions

32Employment of, objections to, and swearing of recorders and interpreters

(1)An appropriate authority may arrange for a person to act as a recorder or as an interpreter at proceedings before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate.

(2)The accused person may enter an objection to a recorder or interpreter on the ground of partiality or incompetence, or both.

(3)Where the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate is satisfied that the accused person has substantiated an objection entered by that person under this rule, the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate, as the case may be, shall allow the objection.

(4)Before a person begins to act as a recorder or an interpreter, the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate shall administer, or cause to be administered, an oath or affirmation to the person before the person begins so to act.

(5)The oath or affirmation to be taken or made by a person for the purposes of this rule is an oath or affirmation:

(a)in the case of a person who is to act as a recorder—that the person will, to the best of the person’s ability, truly record or transcribe (or both, as the case may be) the evidence to be given before the court martial or Defence Force magistrate and such other matters as may be required and (where a transcript is required to be made) will deliver to the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate a true transcript of the same; or

(b)in the case of a person who is to act as an interpreter—that the person will, to the best of the person’s ability, truly interpret and translate as the person will be required to do.

33Administration of oaths and affirmations

(1)The relevant authority may permit a person to take an oath or affirmation in such manner as the person taking the oath or affirmation declares to be binding on the person’s conscience.

(2)In this rule, relevant authority means:

(a)in relation to an officer to be sworn as a member of a court martial—the judge advocate; or

(b)in relation to a witness—the appropriate authority; or

(c)in relation to an interpreter or a recorder—the  judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate.

34Application by accused person or prosecuting officer for adjournment of proceedings

The accused person or the prosecuting officer may, at any time, apply to the court martial or Defence Force magistrate on any reasonable grounds for an adjournment of the proceedings before the tribunal.

35Right of accused person and prosecuting officer to argue and adduce evidence on matter to be decided

The accused person and the prosecuting officer may properly argue, and adduce evidence relevant to, any question presented to the court martial or Defence Force magistrate for decision.

36Pleading to charges and arraignment

(1)Where there is more than 1 charge against an accused person before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, the person shall be required to plead separately to each charge.

(2)Where:

(a)there is more than 1 charge against an accused person before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate; and

(b)the charges are contained in more than 1 charge sheet;

the court martial or Defence Force magistrate shall arraign and try the person on the charge or charges in a charge sheet (other than taking action under paragraph 132(1)(g) or 135(1)(g) of the Act) before the tribunal arraigns and tries the person on a charge in another charge sheet.

(3)Where an accused person is convicted by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate of a charge that is 1 of 2 or more charges stated in the charge sheet in the alternative, the person shall not be convicted by the court martial or Defence Force magistrate of any charge that is alternative to the charge of which the person has been convicted and that is placed after it on the charge sheet.

37Opening address by prosecution

Before the first prosecution witness is called to give evidence at a trial by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, the prosecuting officer shall make an opening address to the tribunal, stating briefly:

(a)the elements of the offence charged that have to be proved before the accused person can be convicted; and

(b)the alleged facts upon which the prosecuting officer will rely to support the charge; and

(c)the nature of the evidence that the prosecuting officer proposes to adduce to prove the alleged facts.

38Judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate may direct substitution of plea of not guilty

Where, at any time during a trial, it appears to the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate that an accused person who has pleaded guilty does not understand the effect of that plea, the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate shall substitute the plea to one of not guilty and proceed accordingly.

39Submission of no case to answer

At the close of the case for the prosecution, the accused person may submit to the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate in respect of a charge that the evidence adduced is insufficient to support the charge.

40Opening address by defence

Where the accused person intends to call a witness (other than himself or herself) to give evidence as to the facts of the case, the person may, before he or she calls the first such witness, make an opening address to the court martial or Defence Force magistrate stating the nature and general effect of the evidence that the person proposes to adduce in the person’s defence.

41Closing addresses

(1)After all of the evidence has been given, the accused person and the prosecuting officer may each make a closing address to the court martial or Defence Force magistrate.

(2)Any closing address by the prosecuting officer shall be made before the closing address (if any) by the accused person.

(3)Subject to subrule (4), where 2 or more accused persons are charged in the same charge sheet, their closing addresses shall be made in the order in which their names are listed on the charge sheet.

(4)When 2 or more accused persons are represented by the same person, that person may only make 1 closing address.

42Summing up

After the closing addresses (if any) at a trial by court martial, the judge advocate shall sum up the evidence and direct the court martial on the law relating to the case (including Part IV of the Act).

43Evidence as to material facts after conviction on plea of guilty

Where, on the trial of a charge, the accused person pleads guilty and is convicted, then:

(a)the prosecuting officer shall inform the court martial or Defence Force magistrate of the material facts that show the nature and gravity of the offence; and

(b)the convicted person may dispute any such facts; and

(c)the convicted person and the prosecuting officer may adduce evidence in relation to any fact so disputed.

44Convicted person’s record etc and plea in mitigation

(1)After the conviction of a person by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, the prosecuting officer shall cause evidence to be adduced as to:

(a)if the convicted person is a defence member or was a defence member at the time of the commission of the offence of which the person has been convicted—relevant        particulars of the person’s service in the Defence Force; and

(b)particulars of any previous convictions of the convicted person for service offences, civil court offences and overseas offences; and

(c)such other matters relevant to determining action under Part IV of the Act in relation to the convicted person as the court martial or Defence Force magistrate requires.

(2)The convicted person may:

(a)give evidence, and call witnesses to give evidence, as to the convicted person’s character and in mitigation of punishment; and

(b)address the court martial or Defence Force magistrate in mitigation of punishment.

(3)Rule 16 applies to a witness (including the convicted person) who gives evidence under this rule as if a reference in that rule to the accused person were a reference to the convicted person.

Part 8—Procedure for imposing punishment in case of breach of undertaking to be of good behaviour

45Application

This Part applies in relation to proceedings before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate for the purpose of imposing punishment on a convicted person in respect of a service offence in relation to which the convicted person gave, in accordance with subsection 75(2) of the Act, an undertaking to another court martial or Defence Force magistrate to be of good behaviour for 12 months.

46Evidence as to material facts, convicted person’s record etc and plea in mitigation

After the service offence in relation to which the convicted person gave an undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 12 months has been read to the court martial or Defence Force magistrate, action shall be taken in accordance with rules 43 and 44 as if the person had been convicted by that court martial or Defence Force magistrate and, in the case of rule 43, as if the person had pleaded guilty to a charge of that offence.

Part 9—Record of proceedings and exhibits

47Record of proceedings before court martial or Defence Force magistrate

(1)The proceedings before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate shall, if practicable, be recorded verbatim.

(2)Where the proceedings before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate are not recorded verbatim, they shall be recorded in sufficient detail to enable the course of the proceedings to be followed, and the merits of the case to be judged, from the record, and in particular:

(a)subject to paragraph (b), the evidence shall be taken down in narrative form as nearly as possible in the words used; and

(b)if:

(i)the prosecution or the defence so requests and the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate so directs; or

(ii)in any other case, the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate so directs;

a particular question and the answer to it shall be taken down verbatim; and

(c)a record shall be made of the proceedings relating to each objection, submission or application; and

(d)subject to paragraph (e), any address by the prosecution or the defence, or the summing up by the judge advocate, if not in writing, shall be recorded to such extent as the judge advocate or the Defence Force magistrate thinks fit; and

(e)if the prosecution or the defence so requires, a record shall be made of any particular point in the address by the prosecution or the defence, or in the summing up by the judge advocate.

(3)Where the proceedings are recorded verbatim, the recorder shall prepare or cause to be prepared a transcript, in writing, which shall be authenticated by the person who made the transcript.

(4)If a conviction is recorded, the written record of the proceedings must be certified as true and correct, in writing, by the recorder and the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the trial.

48Inspection of record of proceedings etc during trial

During a trial by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate, the accused person or the prosecuting officer may, with the permission of the judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate:

(a)have a particular part of the record of proceedings read or played over to the accused person or the prosecuting officer, as the case may be; and

(b)if proper precautions are taken for its safety, inspect an exhibit.

49Loss of original record of proceedings

(1)If, at any time, the whole or any part of the original record of proceedings before a court martial or Defence Force magistrate is lost, a valid and sufficient record of the proceedings for all purposes may be made by the signature of a prescribed person being affixed to a copy of the record of proceedings.

(2)In this rule, prescribed person means:

(a)in relation to proceedings before a court martial or a judge advocate—the judge advocate; or

(b)in relation to proceedings before a Defence Force magistrate—the Defence Force magistrate.

50Exhibits

(1)Subject to subrule (2), any document or thing admitted in evidence at a trial by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate shall be made an exhibit.

(2)Where the court martial or Defence Force magistrate is satisfied that a copy of, or an extract or relevant parts from, a document or book admitted in evidence is correct, the court martial or Defence Force magistrate may make the copy or extract an exhibit in place of the document or book.

51Relief from Rules

A judge advocate or Defence Force magistrate may dispense with compliance with any of the requirements of these Rules, either before or after the occasion for compliance arises.

Schedule 1—Statement of offences

(subrule 9(4))

Part 1—Offences against Defence Force Discipline Act 1982

Item Provision Offence
1 Section 15 Abandoning or surrendering a [place] [post] [service ship] [service aircraft] [service armoured vehicle]
2 Section 15A Causing the capture or destruction of a [service ship] [service aircraft] [service armoured vehicle]
3 Section 15B Aiding the enemy while captured
4 Section 15C Providing the enemy with material assistance
5 Section 15D Harbouring enemies
6 Subparagraph 15E(1)(b)(i) Giving false communication
7 Subparagraph
15E(1)(b)(ii)
Altering or interfering with communication
8 Subparagraph
15E(1)(b)(iii)
Altering or interfering with apparatus for giving or receiving communication
9 Section 15F Failing to carry out orders
10 Section 15G Imperilling the success of operations
11 Section 16 Communicating with the enemy
12 Section 16A Failing to report information received from the enemy
13 Section 16B Committing the offence of [name of offence against sections 15 to 16A (other than section 15B or 15C)] with intent to assist the enemy
14 Paragraph 17(1)(a) Leaving [post] [position] [place] in connection with operations
15 Paragraph 17(1)(b) Abandoning [weapons] [other equipment] in connection with operations
16 Paragraph 17(1)(c) Failing to properly perform duty in attacking, or defending against, the enemy
17 Subsection 18(1) Endangering morale
18 Subsection 18(2) Endangering morale in connection with operations
19 Subsection 19(1) Failing to rejoin force
20 Subsection 19(2) Preventing another rejoining [his] [her] force
21 Subsection 19(3) Securing favourable treatment to detriment of others
22 Subsection 19(4) Ill‑treating other persons over whom member has authority
23 Subsection 20(1) Mutiny
24 Subsection 20(2) Mutiny in connection with service against enemy
25 Subsection 21(1) Failing to suppress mutiny
26 Subsection 21(2) Failing to suppress mutiny in connection with service against enemy
27 Subsection 22(1) Absence from place of duty with intention to avoid active service
28 Subsection 22(2) Absence without leave with intention to avoid active service
29 Subsection 23(1) Absence from duty—failure to attend
30 Subsection 23(2) Absence from duty—ceasing to perform
31 Section 24 Absence without leave
32 Section 25 Assaulting a superior officer
33 Subsection 26(1) Engaging in [threatening] [insubordinate] [insulting] conduct
34 Subsection 26(2) Using [threatening] [insubordinate] [insulting] language
35 Section 27 Disobeying lawful command
36 Section 28 Failing to comply with direction of person in command of [service ship] [service aircraft] [service vehicle]
37 Section 29 Failing to comply with general order
38 Subsection 30(1) Assaulting a guard
39 Subsection 30(2) Assaulting a guard in connection with operations against the enemy
40 Subsection 31(1) Obstructing a police member
41 Subsection 31(2) Refusing to assist a police member
42 Paragraph 32(1)(a) Sleeping [at post] [on watch] while on [guard duty] [watch]
43 Paragraph 32(1)(b) Sleeping on duty while on [guard duty] [watch]
44 Paragraph 32(1)(c) Being intoxicated while on [guard duty] [watch]
45 Paragraph 32(1)(d) [Leaving post] [absence from place of duty] while on [guard duty] [watch]
46 Subsection 32(3) Committing the offence of [name of offence against paragraph 32(1)(a), (b), (c) or (d)] in connection with service against enemy
47 Paragraph 33(a) Assaulting another person [on service land] [in service ship] [in service aircraft] [in service vehicle] [in a public place]
48 Paragraph 33(b) Creating a disturbance [on service land] [in service ship] [in service aircraft] [in service vehicle] [in a public place]
49 paragraph 33(c) Engaging in obscene conduct [on service land] [in service ship] [in service aircraft] [in service vehicle] [in a public place]
50 Paragraph 33(d) Using [insulting] [provocative] words [on service land] [in service ship] [in service aircraft] [in service vehicle] [in a public place]
51 Section 34 Assaulting a subordinate
52 Section 35 Negligent performance of duty
53 Subsection 36(1) Dangerous conduct with knowledge of consequences
54 Subsection 36(2) Dangerous conduct with recklessness as to consequences
55 Subsection 36(3) Dangerous conduct with negligence as to consequences
56 Section 36A Unauthorised discharge of weapon
57 Section 36B Negligent discharge of weapon
58 Section 37 Being intoxicated [while on duty] [when reporting for duty] [when required to report for duty]
59 Paragraph 38(1)(a) Malingering—self injury
60 Paragraph 38(1)(b) Malingering—prolonging sickness or disability
61 Subsection 38(2) Malingering—falsely representing oneself as suffering from physical or mental condition
62 Subsection 39(1) Intentionally causing [loss of] [stranding of] [hazarding of] service ship
63 Subsection 39(2) Recklessly causing [loss of] [stranding of] [hazarding of] service ship
64 Subsection 39(3) Negligently causing [loss of] [stranding of] [hazarding of] service ship
65 Subsection 40(1) Driving a service vehicle while intoxicated
66 Subsection 40(2) Driving a vehicle on service land while intoxicated
67 Subsection 40A(1) Dangerous driving of a service vehicle
68 Subsection 40A(2) Dangerous driving of a vehicle on service land
69 Paragraph 40C(1)(a) Driving a service vehicle while not authorised
70 Paragraph 40C(1)(b) Using a service vehicle for an unauthorised purpose
71 Subsection 40D(1) Driving a service vehicle without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration
72 Subsection 40D(2) Driving a vehicle on service land without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration
73 Section 41 Flying a service aircraft below the minimum height
74 Section 42 Giving inaccurate certification to a matter affecting a [service ship] [service aircraft] [service vehicle] [service missile] [service weapon]
75 Subsection 43(1) Intentionally [destroying] [damaging] service property
76 Subsection 43(2) Recklessly [destroying] [damaging] service property
77 Subsection 43(3) Negligently [destroying] [damaging] service property
78 Section 44 Losing service property
79 Section 45 Unlawful possession of service property
80 Section 46 Possession of property suspected of having been unlawfully obtained
81 Section 47C Theft
82 Section 47P Receiving stolen property
83 Subsection 48(1) Looting
84 Subsection 48(2) Receiving looted property
85 Section 49 Refusing to submit to arrest
86 Section 49A Assault against arresting person
87 Subsection 50(1) Delaying or denying justice by failing to take action to have charge dealt with
88 Subsection 50(2) Delaying or denying justice by failing to take action to [release] [order release] of a person
89 Section 51 Escaping from custody
90 Section 52 Giving false evidence before a service tribunal
91 Subparagraph
53(1)(b)(i)
Failing to appear before a service tribunal as required by [summons] [order]
92 Subparagraph
53(1)(b)(ii)
Failing to appear and report when not excused by service tribunal
93 Paragraph 53(2)(a) Refusing to take an oath or make an affirmation before a service tribunal
94 Paragraph 53(2)(b) Refusing to answer a question before a service tribunal
95 Paragraph 53(2)(c) Refusal to produce a document required by [summons] [order] before a service tribunal
96 Paragraph 53(4)(a) Insulting a [member of a court martial] [judge advocate] [Defence Force magistrate] [summary authority]
97 Paragraph 53(4)(b) Interrupting proceedings of a service tribunal
98 Paragraph 53(4)(c) Creating a disturbance [in] [near] a service tribunal
99 Paragraph 53(4)(d) Engaging in conduct that would constitute contempt of a service tribunal
100 Subsection 54(1) Intentionally allowing a person in custody to escape
101 Subsection 54(2) Unlawfully releasing a person in custody
102 Subsection 54(3) Facilitating escape of a person in custody
103 Subsection 54(4) Conveying a thing into place of confinement with intent to facilitate escape of a person
104 Paragraph 54A(1)(a) Detainee making unnecessary noise
105 Paragraph 54A(1)(b) Detainee committing a nuisance
106 Paragraph 54A(1)(c) Detainee being [idle] [careless] [negligent] at work
107 Paragraph 54A(1)(d) Detainee unlawfully communicating with another person
108 Paragraph 54A(1)(e) Detainee unlawfully [giving] [receiving] any thing
109 paragraph 54A(1)(f) Detainee unlawfully being in possession of any thing
110 Paragraph 54A(1)(g) Detainee unlawfully [entering] [leaving] cell
111 Subsection 54A(2) Detainee failing to comply with a condition of grant of leave of absence
112 Subsection 54A(6) Aiding, abetting etc the commission of [name of offence against subsection 54A(1) or (2)]
113 Paragraph 55(1)(a) [Making] [signing] false service document
114 Paragraph 55(1)(b) Making false entry in service document
115 Paragraph 55(1)(c) Altering a service document
116 Paragraph 55(1)(d) [Suppressing] [defacing] [making away with] [destroying] a service document
117 Paragraph 55(1)(e) Failing to make an entry in a service document
118 Subsection 56(1) Knowingly making false or misleading statement in relation to application for benefit
119 Subsection 56(4) Recklessly making false or misleading statement in relation to application for benefit
120 Paragraph 57(1)(a) Person giving false answer to a question in a document relating to appointment or enlistment
121 Paragraph 57(1)(b) Person giving false information or document in relation to appointment or enlistment
122 Paragraph 57(1)(c) Person failing to disclose prior service
123 Paragraph 57(2)(a) Member giving false answer to question in a document relating to appointment or enlistment
124 Paragraph 57(2)(b) Member giving false information or document in relation to appointment or enlistment
125 Paragraph 57(2)(c) Member failing to disclose prior service
126 Section 58 Unauthorised disclosure of information
127 Subsection 59(1) [Selling] [dealing] [trafficking] in narcotic goods outside Australia
128 Subsection 59(3) Possession of narcotic goods outside Australia
129 Subsection 59(5) Administering prohibited drug outside Australia
130 Subsection 59(6) Administering prohibited drug in Australia
131 Subsection 59(7) Possession of non‑trafficable quantity of prohibited drug in Australia
132 Section 60 Prejudicial conduct
133 Subsection 61(1) Engaging in conduct in the Jervis Bay Territory that is a Territory offence [name of offence and provision of law contravened]
134 Subsection 61(2) Engaging in conduct in a public place outside the Jervis Bay Territory that is a Territory offence [name of offence and provision of law contravened]
135 Subsection 61(3) Engaging in conduct outside the Jervis Bay Territory that is a Territory offence [name of offence and provision of law contravened]
136 Section 62 Commanding or ordering commission of service offence
137 Subsection 101QA(1) Failing to submit to medical examination
138 Subsection 101QA(2) Failing to submit to the taking of a specimen

Part 2—Offences against Defence Force Discipline Regulations 1985

Item Provision Offence
1 Subregulation 25B(2) [Tampering with] [causing damage to] [interferes with] radar device

Part 3—Offences against Criminal Code

Item Provision Offence
1 Section 11.1 Attempt to commit [name of offence against the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 or the Defence Force Discipline Regulations 1985]
2 Section 11.2 Aiding, abetting etc the commission of [name of offence against the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 (other than subsection 54A(1) or (2)) or the Defence Force Discipline Regulations 1985]
3 Section 11.3 Procuring conduct of another person that would have constituted the offence of [name of offence against the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 or the Defence Force Discipline Regulations 1985] on the part of procurer
4 Section 11.4 Incitement to [name of offence against the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 or the Defence Force Discipline Regulations 1985]
5 Section 11.5 Conspiracy to commit [name of offence against the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 or the Defence Force Discipline Regulations 1985]

Schedule 2—Form of charge sheet

(subrule 8(4))

Charge sheet

[Insert Accused’s Service Details], a member of the [Royal Australian Navy] [Australian Army] [Royal Australian Air Force] and at the time of the offence/s specified in the following charge/s a defence member under the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, is charged as follows:

First charge

[Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, subsection 61(3) and Crimes Act 1900 (ACT), section 23]

[Engaging in conduct outside the Jervis Bay Territory that is a Territory offence, being the offence of inflicting actual bodily harm.]

Insert particulars of the offence.

Second charge

[Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, paragraph 33(a)]

[Assaulting another person on service land etc.]

Insert particulars of the offence.

……………………………………………

Signed

Director of Military Prosecutions

Dated …………………………

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide details of the history of this legislation and its provisions. The following endnotes are included in each compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments
Endnote 6—Modifications
Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments
Endnote 8—Miscellaneous

If there is no information under a particular endnote, the word “none” will appear in square brackets after the endnote heading.

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key in this endnote sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended the compiled law. The information includes commencement information for amending laws and details of application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision level. It also includes information about any provisions that have expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments—Endnote 5

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in endnote 5.

Modifications—Endnote 6

If the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details of the modification are included in endnote 6.

Misdescribed amendments—Endnote 7

An amendment is a misdescribed amendment if the effect of the amendment cannot be incorporated into the text of the compilation. Any misdescribed amendment is included in endnote 7.

Miscellaneous—Endnote 8
Endnote 8 includes any additional information that may be helpful for a reader of the compilation.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted pres = present
am = amended prev = previous
c = clause(s) (prev) = previously
Ch = Chapter(s) Pt = Part(s)
def = definition(s) r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
Dict = Dictionary Reg = Regulation/Regulations
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament reloc = relocated
Div = Division(s) renum = renumbered
exp = expired or ceased to have effect rep = repealed
hdg = heading(s) rs = repealed and substituted
LI = Legislative Instrument s = section(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 Sch = Schedule(s)
mod = modified/modification Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
No = Number(s) SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
o = order(s) SR = Statutory Rules
Ord = Ordinance Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)
orig = original SubPt = Subpart(s)
par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
/sub‑subparagraph(s)

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Number and year FRLI registration Commencement Application, saving and transitional provisions
296, 2009 28 Oct 2009 (see F2009L04030) 23 Oct 2009
235, 2013 24 Oct 2013 (see F2013L01832) 25 Oct 2013

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Provision affected How affected
Pt 1
r 6.......................................... am No 235, 2013

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]


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