Icon Definitions:

Text match Text match
Confers power Confers power
Blanket amendment Blanket amendment

Welcome to the Revised Statutes of the UK on SLD

This item of legislation is displayed as if you had made a search for a version current at today’s date and applicable to the widest possible geographical extent (that is, anywhere in the UK). If you wish to specify any other search criteria, please use the Advanced search facility. The page you are currently viewing is usually referred to on SLD as the ‘Results within Legislation’ page
(Entries appearing indented and in square brackets indicates provisions for which no version matched the presumed search criteria)

Update Status Warning: There are effects on this legislation that have not yet been applied to the Statute Law Database for the following year(s): 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Please see the Tables of legislative effects for details. See also important information in Update status of legislation.

Help - Opening and Viewing Legislation
        Army Act 1955 (c. 18)
        Introductory Text
        Main body
        Part I Enlistment and Terms of Service
        Enlistment
        1. Recruiting officers.
        2. Enlistment.
        Appointment to corps and transfer from one corps to another
        3. Enlistment for general or corps service and appointment to and transfer between corps.
        4-7. . . .
        Extension of service
        8. . . .
        9. Postponement in certain cases of discharge or transfer to the reserve.
        10. {- If it appears to Her Majesty that national danger is imminent or that a great emergency has a...}
        Discharge and transfer to reserve
        11. Discharge.
        12. Transfer to the reserve.
        13. Postponement of discharge or transfer pending proceedings for offences.
        14. . . .
        15. Right of warrant officer to discharge on reduction to ranks.
        16. . . .
        Miscellaneous and supplementary provisions
        17. Forfeiture of service for desertion and restoration of forfeited service.
        18. Validity of attestation and enlistment.
        19. False answers in attestation paper.
        20. . . .
        21. Service of aliens in regular forces.
        22. Regulations as to enlistment.
        23. Interpretation of Part I.
        Part II Discipline and Trial and Punishment of Military Offences
        Misconduct in action and other offences arising out of military service
        24. Misconduct in action.
        25. Assisting the enemy.
        26. Obstructing operations, giving false air signals, etc.
        27. Prize offences by commanding officers.
        28. Other prize offences.
        29. Offences by or in relation to sentries, persons on watch, etc.
        29A. Failure to attend for duty, neglect of duty, etc.
        30. Looting.
        Mutiny and insubordination
        31. Mutiny.
        32. Failure to suppress mutiny.
        33. Insubordinate behaviour.
        34. Disobedience to lawful commands.
        34A. Failure to provide a sample for drug testing.
        [34B Failure to provide sample after serious incident]
        35. Obstruction of provost officers.
        36. Disobedience to standing orders.
        Desertion, absence without leave, etc.
        37. Desertion.
        38. Absence without leave.
        39. Failure to report or apprehend deserters or absentees.
        40, 41. . . .
        Malingering and drunkenness
        42. Malingering.
        43. Drunkenness.
        Disorderly conduct
        43A. Fighting, threatening words, etc.
        Offences relating to property
        44. Damage to, and loss of, public or service property, etc.
        44A. Damage to, and loss of, Her Majesty's aircraft or aircraft material.
        44B. Interference etc. with equipment, messages or signals.
        45. Misapplication and waste of public or service property.
        46. Offences relating to issues and decorations.
        Offences relating to billeting and requisitioning of vehicles
        47. Billeting Offences.
        48. Offences in relation to requisitioning of vehicles.
        Flying etc. offences
        48A. Loss or hazarding of ship.
        49. Dangerous flying, etc.
        50. Inaccurate certification.
        51. Low flying.
        52. Annoyance by flying.
        Offences relating to, and by, persons in custody
        53. . . .
        54. Permitting escape, and unlawful release of prisoners.
        55. Resistance to arrest.
        56. Escape from confinement.
        Offences in relation to courts-martial and civil authorities
        57. Offences in relation to courts-martial.
        58. . . .
        59. . . .
        Miscellaneous offences
        60. Unauthorised disclosure of information.
        61. Making of false statements on enlistment.
        62. Making of false documents.
        63. Offences against civilian population.
        63A. Offences against morale.
        64. Scandalous conduct by officers.
        65. Ill-treatment of officers or men of inferior rank.
        66. Disgraceful conduct.
        67. . . .
        68. Attempts to commit military offences.
        68A. Aiding and abetting etc., and inciting.
        69. Conduct to prejudice of military discipline.
        Civil offences
        70. Civil offences.
        [70A Reduction in minimum sentences for guilty pleas]
        [70B Reasons to be given for not passing life or minimum sentence]
        Punishments available to courts-martial
        71. Scale of punishments, and supplementary provisions.
        71A. Juveniles.
        71AA. Young service offenders: custodial orders.
        71AB. Reasons to be given where custodial sentence awarded to young offender.
        71B. Power to impose imprisonment for default in payment of fines.
        Arrest
        74. Power to arrest offenders.
        Custody
        75. Limitations on custody without charge.
        75A. Authorisation of custody without charge.
        75B. Review of custody by commanding officer.
        75C. Extension of custody without charge.
        75D. Custody without charge: other cases.
        75E. Custody without charge: supplementary.
        75F. Custody after charge.
        75G. Review of custody after charge.
        75H. Custody during court-martial proceedings.
        75J. Release from custody after charge or during proceedings.
        75K. Arrest during proceedings.
        75L. Judicial officers.
        [75LL Custody in case of trial by Standing Civilian Court]
        75M. Custody rules.
        Investigation of, and summary dealing with, charges
        76. Investigation of charges by commanding officer
        76A. Powers of higher authority.
        76AA. Right to elect for court-martial trial.
        76B. Summary dealings.
        76C. Punishments available on summary dealings.
        77. Charges to be dealt with summarily or by court-martial.
        77A. Power to stay further proceedings.
        78. Further proceedings on charges against N.C.O.s and soldiers.
        79. Further proceedings on charges against officers and warrant officers.
        80. Directions by higher authority for dismissal of charges or stay of proceedings.
        81. Confession of desertion by warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or soldier.
        82. Officers who are to act as commanding officers and appropriate superior authorities.
        83. Regulations as to summary dealings etc.
        The summary appeal court
        83ZA. The summary appeal court.
        83ZB. Judge advocates.
        83ZC. Officers qualified for membership of summary appeal court.
        83ZD. Constitution of summary appeal court for appeals.
        83ZE. Right of appeal.
        83ZF. Hearing of appeals.
        83ZG. Powers of summary appeal court.
        83ZH. Making of, and appeals from, decisions of court.
        83ZJ. Rules of summary appeal court.
        83ZK. Administration of oaths to members of summary appeal court.
        83ZL. Privileges of witnesses and others.
        The prosecuting authority
        83A. The prosecuting authority.
        83B. Functions of the prosecuting authority.
        83BB. Cases where charge may be referred back to commanding officer.
        83BC Power of prosecuting authority to advise police forces
        83C. Prosecuting officers.
        Courts-martial: general provisions
        84. Trial to be by general court-martial, district court-martial or in certain cases field generalcourt-martial.
        84A. Court administration officers.
        84B. Judge advocates.
        84C. Convening of general and district courts-martial.
        84D Constitution of general and district courts-martial
        85. Powers of different descriptions of court-martial.
        85A. Powers of court-martial where accused elected court-martial trial.
        86. Officers having power to convene courts-martial.
        87. Constitution of general courts-martial.
        88. Constitution of district courts-martial.
        89. Constitution of field general courts-martial.
        90. Supplementary provisions as to constitution of courts-martial.
        91. Place for sitting of courts-martial and adjournment to other places.
        Courts-martial: provisions relating to trial
        92. Challenges by accused.
        93. Administration of oaths.
        94. Courts-martial to sit in open court.
        95. Dissolution of courts-martial.
        96. Decisions of courts-martial.
        97. Finding and sentence.
        98. Power to convict of offence other than that charged.
        99. Rules of evidence.
        99A. Proof at courts-martial by written statement.
        100. Privilege of witnesses and others at courts-martial.
        101. Offences by civilians in relation to courts-martial.
        [101A Powers to compel attendance of witnesses]
        102. Affirmations.
        Offences: procedure
        103. Rules.
        Field General Courts-Martial
        103A. Field general courts-martial.
        103B. Constitution of field general courts-martial.
        103C. Field General Court-Martial Rules.
        104. Rules as to exercise of functions of judge advocate.
        105. Taking of offences into consideration.
        106. Rules of Procedure to be subject to annulment.
        Confirmation, revision and review of proceedings of courts-martial
        107. Confirmation of proceedings of courts-martial.
        108. Petitions against finding or sentence.
        109. Revision of findings of courts-martial.
        110. Powers of confirming officers.
        111. Confirming officers.
        Review of proceedings of courts-martial
        112. Approval as well as confirmation required for certain death sentences.
        113. Review of findings and sentences of courts-martial.
        113AA. Powers of the reviewing authority.
        113A. Power of reviewing authority to authorise retrial.
        [113B Scope of section 113C]
        [113C Review of sentences by Courts-Martial Appeal Court]
        114. . . .
        Review of summary findings and awards
        115. Review of summary findings and awards
        [Findings of unfitness to stand trial and insanity]
        [115A. Fitness to stand trial.]
        [115B. Finding that the accused did the act or made the omission charged against him.]
        Findings of insanity
        116. Findings of insanity.
        [116A. Powers to deal with persons unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity.]
        [116B. Admission orders.]
        [116C. Guardianship orders.]
        [116D. Supervision and treatment orders.]
        [116E. Provisions supplementary to sections 115A to 116D.]
        Saving for functions of Judge Advocate General
        117. Saving for functions of Judge Advocate General.
        Commencement, suspension and duration of sentences
        118. Commencement of sentences.
        118ZA. Commencement of sentence of detention awarded by commanding officer.
        118A. Consecutive terms of imprisonment and detention.
        119. Duration of sentences of imprisonment and detention.
        119A. Limitation of total period of sentences of detention.
        120. Suspension of sentences.
        120A. Postponement of sentences.
        Execution of sentences of death, imprisonment and detention
        121. Execution of sentences of death.
        122. Imprisonment and Detention Rules.
        123. Supplementary provisions relating to regulations and rules under ss. 121 & 122.
        124. Restrictions on serving of sentences of detention in prisons.
        125. Special provisions as to civil prisons in the United Kingdom.
        126. Special provisions as to carrying out or serving of sentences outside the United Kingdom otherwise thanin military establishments.
        127. Country in which sentence of imprisonment or detention to be served.
        128. Application of enactments relating to coroners.
        129. Duties of governors of prisons and others to receive prisoners.
        130. Application to air-force establishments and custody.
        Trial of persons ceasing to be subject to military law and time limits for trials
        131. Trial and punishment of offences under military law notwithstanding offender ceasing to be subject tomilitary law.
        132. Limitation of time for trial of offences under military law.
        133. Jurisdiction of civil courts
        133A Financial penalty enforcement orders.
        134. Persons not to be tried under this Act for offences already disposed of.
        Inquiries
        135. Boards of inquiry.
        136. Inquiries into absence.
        137. Regimental inquiries.
        Miscellaneous provisions
        138. Restitution or compensation for theft, etc.
        139. Appointment of judge advocates.
        140. Promulgation.
        141. Custody of proceedings of courts-martial and right of accused to a copy thereof.
        141A. Right of penalised parent or guardian to copy of record of court-martial proceedings.
        142. Indemnity for prison officers, etc.
        Interpretation
        143. Interpretation of Part II.
        Part III Forfeitures and Deductions and Enforcement of Maintenance Liabilities
        144. Forfeitures and deductions: general provisions.
        145. Forfeiture of pay for absence from duty.
        146. {Where a person sentenced or ordered by a civil court (whether within or without Her Majesty's d...}
        147. Compensation for loss occasioned by wrongful act or negligence.
        148. Deductions for barrack damage.
        149. Remission of forfeitures and deductions.
        150. Enforcement of maintenance and affiliation orders by deduction from pay.
        150A. Enforcement of maintenance assessment by deductions from pay.
        150AA. Enforcement of maintenance assessment by deductions from pay.
        151. Deductions from pay for maintenance of wife or child.
        151A. Deductions from pay in respect of judgment debts etc.
        152. Limit of deductions under ss. 150 and 151 and effect on forfeiture.
        153. Service of process in maintenance proceedings.
        Part IV Billeting and Requisitioning of Vehicles
        Billeting
        154. Billeting requisitions.
        155. Premises in which billets may be provided.
        156. Provision of billets.
        157. Billeting schemes.
        158. Accommodation to be provided and payment therefor.
        159. Appeals against billeting.
        160. Compensation for damage.
        161. Refusal to receive persons billeted, etc.
        162. Application to civilians employed with the forces.
        163. Local authority.
        164. Suspension of laws against billeting.
        Requisitioning of vehicles
        165. Requisitioning orders.
        166. Provision of vehicles.
        167. Period for which vehicles to be furnished.
        168. Payment for vehicles furnished.
        169. Avoidance of hardship in requisitioning of vehicles.
        170. Record and inspection of mechanically-propelled vehicles.
        171. Enforcement of provisions as to requisitioning.
        172. Application to horses, food, forage and stores.
        173. Liability of Crown for damage by vehicles being delivered for requisitioning.
        General
        174. Bringing into operation of ss. 154 and 165.
        175. Regulations and orders.
        176. Interpretation of Part IV.
        Part V General Provisions
        Powers of command
        177. Powers of command.
        178. Powers of command of members of co-operating naval or air forces.
        Attachment to naval or air forces
        179. Attachment of members of military forces to naval or air forces.
        Redress of complaints
        180. Redress of complaints.
        181. Complaints by warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
        Exemptions for members of regular forces
        182. Officers on active list not to be sheriffs.
        183. . . .
        184. Exemptions from tolls, etc.
        185. Exemption from taking in execution of property used for military purposes.
        Provisions relating to deserters and absentees without leave
        186. Arrest of deserters and absentees without leave.
        187. Proceedings before a civil court where persons suspected of illegal absence.
        189. Certificates of arrest or surrender of deserters and absentees.
        190. Duties of governors of prisons and others to receive deserters and absentees.
        Further powers of arrest of civil authorities
        190A. Arrest under warrants of commanding officers.
        190B. Arrest of persons unlawfully at large.
        Offences relating to military matters punishable by civil courts
        191. Punishment for pretending to be a deserter.
        192. Punishment for procuring and assisting desertion.
        193. Punishment for obstructing members of regular forces in execution of duty.
        194. Punishment for aiding malingering.
        195. Unlawful purchase, etc. of military stores.
        196. Illegal dealings in documents relating to pay, pensions, mobilisation, etc.
        197. Unauthorised use of and dealing in decorations, etc.
        Provisions as to evidence
        198. General provisions as to evidence.
        198A, 198B. . . .
        198C. Provision as to age.
        199. Proof of outcome of civil trial.
        200A. False statements in computer record certificates.
        Miscellaneous Provisions
        201. Restrictions on reduction in rank of warrant officers and non-commissioned officers.
        202. Temporary reception in civil custody of persons under escort.
        203. Avoidance of assignment of or charge on military pay, pensions, etc.
        204. Power of certain officers to take affidavits and declarations.
        204A. Exclusion of enactments requiring fiat of Attorney General etc., in connection with proceedings.
        Part VI Application of Act and Supplemental Provisions
        Persons subject to military law
        205. Persons subject to military law: general provisions.
        206. Persons subject to military law: Commonwealth forces.
        207. Persons subject to military law: Colonial forces.
        208. Persons subject to military law: attached members of naval and air forces.
        208A. Application of Act to passengers in H.M. ships and aircraft.
        209. Application of Act to civilians.
        Application of Act to particular corps and forces
        210. Provisions as to Royal Marines.
        211. Application of Act to reserve and auxiliary forces.
        212. Provisions as to Home Guard.
        213. Modification of certain provisions in relation to women.
        Application to different countries
        214. Application to Scotland.
        215. Application to Northern Ireland.
        216. Application to Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
        217. Application to certain overseas territories.
        218. . . .
        219. . . .
        Supplemental provisions
        220. Jurisdiction of courts.
        221. . . .
        222. Provisions as to summary fines in Colonies.
        223. Execution of orders, instruments, etc.
        224. Provisions as to active service.
        225. General provisions as to interpretation.
        226. Short title, commencement and duration.
        Schedules
        FIRST SCHEDULE Procedure for Attestation
        [SCHEDULE 1A Custody in connection with trial by Standing Civilian Courts]
        SECOND SCHEDULE . . .
        THIRD SCHEDULE Alternative offences of which accused may be convicted by court-martial
        FOURTH SCHEDULE Supplementary Provisions as to Payment for Requisitioned Vehicles
        FIFTH SCHEDULE Civilians outside the United Kingdom subject to Part II when not on Active Service
        SCHEDULE 5A Powers of Court on Trial of Civilian
        SIXTH SCHEDULE Application of Military Law to attached Members of Naval and Air Forces
        SEVENTH SCHEDULE Provisions as to Royal Marines
        Part I Enlistment, Service and Discharge
        Part II Miscellaneous Adaptations
        Part III Transfers

  © Crown Copyright Back to top