Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923

Local Courts-Martial.

92.—(1) Every Local Court-Martial shall be convened by the Adjutant-General or by such Officer as he shall authorise to convene the same.

(2) A Local Court-Martial shall have jurisdiction to try non-commissioned officers and private soldiers for any offence mentioned in this Act, except murder, but shall have no jurisdiction to try an officer.

(3) A Local Court-Martial shall have jurisdiction only to award imprisonment (with or without hard labour) or a less sentence.

(4) A Local Court-Martial shall be constituted as follows:—

(a) A President who shall not be of a rank lower than Commandant, and shall be appointed by the Convening Officer, provided, however, if it appears to the Convening Officer that an officer of a rank not lower than Commandant is not available to act as such President (having due regard to the military exigencies and the public service) the Convening Officer may, upon endorsing a certificate to that effect on the order convening such Local Court-Martial, appoint as President thereof an officer of a rank not lower than Captain.

(b) Not less than two nor more than four other officers appointed by the Convening Officer.

(5) There shall be in attendance at every Local Court-Martial a Judge-Advocate, qualified to act and appointed as may be prescribed