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Section 304B Undertakings as to use of evidenceF1F2

(1)

If the Director of Service Prosecutions (“the Director”) thinks that, for the purposes of the investigation or prosecution of a relevant service offence, it is appropriate to offer a person an undertaking that information will not be used against the person in service proceedings, the Director may give the person a written notice under this subsection (a “restricted use undertaking”).

(2)

If a person is given a restricted use undertaking, the information described in the undertaking must not be used against that person in service proceedings except in the circumstances specified in the undertaking.

(3)

In subsections (1) and (2), the references to the use of information in service proceedings are to its use—

(a)

at a summary hearing in respect of a service offence, or

(b)

in proceedings in respect of a service offence before—

(i)

the Court Martial;

(ii)

the Service Civilian Court;

(iii)

the Summary Appeal Court;

(iv)

the Court Martial Appeal Court; or

(v)

the Supreme Court on an appeal brought from the Court Martial Appeal Court.

(4)

A restricted use undertaking ceases to have effect in relation to the person to whom it is given if the person fails to comply with any conditions specified in the undertaking.

(5)

In this section “relevant service offence” has the same meaning as in section 304A.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Pt. 12A heading and s. 304A inserted (16.10.2024) by Armed Forces Act 2016 (c. 21), ss. 7, 19(1); S.I. 2024/1032, reg. 2(1)

F2

S. 304B inserted (16.10.2024) by Armed Forces Act 2016 (c. 21), ss. 8, 19(1); S.I. 2024/1032, reg. 2(1)

Notes on the whole Act

Textual amendments

F1

Act expires on 15.12.2022 by virtue of s. 382 (as substituted (15.12.2021) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 1(1), 24(2)(a)) (subject to power to continue in s. 382(2)(3) as so substituted)

Notes on Part 12A

Modifications

C1

Pt. 12A applied (with modifications) by The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), art. 106A (as inserted (16.10.2024) by S.I. 2024/619, regs. 1(2), 44(2))