Clause 20

Subject to subsection (2), no person shall in pursuance of this Act be tried for any offence triable under this Act unless the trial is begun within 3 years after —

the date on which the offence was committed; or

the date on which information relating to the commission of that offence was reported to a disciplinary officer having jurisdiction over the accused or to a military policeman,whichever date is the later.(2) This section shall not apply to a trial for the offence of misconduct in action, assisting the enemy, mutiny, absence without leave or desertion.(3) For the purpose of this section, the trial of any person by a subordinate military court for any offence shall begin when he appears or is brought before a subordinate military court for the first time in connection with the offence, notwithstanding the fact that the subordinate military court before which he appears or is brought for the first time may for any reason, adjourn or postpone the trial, and another subordinate military court is convened to try him for the offence.(4) Where a serviceman has served continuously in an exemplary manner for not less the 3 years in the Singapore Armed Forces, he shall not be tried for the offence of desertion (other than desertion on active service), if that offence was committed more than 3 years before the trial is begun.(5) Nothing in this section shall affect the jurisdiction of a civil court in the case of any offence triable by such court.”.