Bill sets out to overhaul military prosecutions

Legislation overhauling courts martial for military personnel has been introduced to Parliament.

The Armed Forces Law Reform Bill says it intends to overhaul all existing legislation relating to military prosecutions to follow international developments and make sure it complies with the Bill of Rights Act.

Many of the pieces of legislation governing military prosecutions predate the 1990 Act.

Among its provisions the legislation would set up a Court Martial of New Zealand to try serious cases across the armed forces.

The court would have a chief judge and six other judges.

The bill also allows for the appointment of a director of military prosecutions who would decide on whether someone should be committed for trial and on what charges.

The bill would also line up the "summary disposal" regime among the different arms of the military.

Summary disposals are hearings for less serious offences.

- NZPA