§ 53B.—(1) In this Act "the judge advocate", in relation to a court-martial, means the judge advocate appointed by or on behalf of the Chief Naval Judge Advocate to be a member of the court-martial.
§ (2) No person shall be appointed as the judge advocate unless he is—
- (a) a person who has a five year general qualification within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990;
- (b) an advocate in Scotland of at least five years' standing or a solicitor who has had a right of audience in the Court of Session or the High Court of Justiciary for at least five years; or
- (c) a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland of at least five years' standing.)
§ (3) Rulings and directions on questions of law (including questions of procedure and practice) shall be given by the judge advocate.
§ (4) Any directions given by the judge advocate shall be binding on the court.