The Armed Forces (Service Courts Rules) (Amendment) Rules 2015

These Rules amend the Armed Forces (Summary Appeal Court) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/1211), the Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041) and the Armed Forces (Service Civilian Court) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/1209) so as to give effect to Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 57-73), articles 3, 7, 10, 23 and 24. They require the provision, where necessary, of interpretation and translation services for complainants when due to attend a hearing as a witness. They also give the court administration officer power to appoint an interpreter for other witnesses. These Rules also deal with special measures directions, applying provisions of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (c. 23) to the Summary Appeal Court. They also provide for the provision, by the Director of Service Prosecutions, of a statement of the impact of the effect of an offence on a victim, their family or others, before sentencing or punishment. These amendments come into force on 16th November 2015.