National Defence Act

Marginal note:Accused not to cross-examine witnesses under 18

• 183.3 (1) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial shall, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is under the age of 18 years, or on application of such a witness, order that the accused person not personally cross-examine the witness, unless the military judge is of the opinion that the proper administration of military justice requires the accused person to personally conduct the cross-examination. If such an order is made, the military judge shall direct the Director of Defence Counsel Services to provide counsel to conduct the cross-examination.

• Marginal note:Accused not to cross-examine victim — certain offences

  (2) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under the Criminal Code and that is also an offence of a sexual nature or committed for a sexual purpose, an offence related to criminal harassment or trafficking in persons or an offence committed against their intimate partner, the military judge shall, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is a victim, or on application of such a witness, order that the accused person not personally cross-examine the witness, unless the military judge is of the opinion that the proper administration of military justice requires the accused person to personally conduct the cross-examination. If such an order is made, the military judge shall direct the Director of Defence Counsel Services to provide counsel to conduct the cross-examination.

• Marginal note:Inquiry by court

  (2.1) If an application for an order under subsection (1) or (2) is not made, the military judge shall inquire of the prosecutor whether reasonable steps have been taken to inform the witness that such an application may be made.

• Marginal note:Other witnesses

  (3) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is not entitled to make an application under subsection (1) or (2), or on application of such a witness, order that the accused person not personally cross-examine the witness, if the military judge is of the opinion that the order would facilitate the giving of a full and candid account by the witness of the acts complained of or would otherwise be in the interest of the proper administration of military justice. If such an order is made, the military judge shall direct the Director of Defence Counsel Services to provide counsel to conduct the cross-examination.

• Marginal note:Factors to be considered

  (4) In determining whether to make an order under subsection (3), the military judge shall consider

  • (a) the witness’s age;

  • (b) the witness’s mental or physical disabilities, if any;

  • (c) the nature of the offence;

  • (d) the nature of any relationship between the witness and the accused person;

  • (e) whether the witness needs the order for their security or to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

  • (f) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of service offences and the participation of victims and witnesses in the military justice process; and

  • (g) any other factor that the military judge considers relevant.

• Marginal note:No adverse inference

  (5) No adverse inference may be drawn from the fact that counsel is, or is not, provided under this section.