Singapore legislation
Regulation 68
of Singapore Armed Forces (Subordinate Military Courts) Regulations 2004
Regulation 68
Procedure on death, sickness or absence
Subregulation 1
If, after the commencement of a trial, the president of a panel court martial or field general court martial dies or is otherwise unable to attend —
the court shall adjourn;
the senior member of the court shall report —
in the case of a panel court martial —
to the convening authority; or
where the convening authority has authorised the registrar for subordinate military courts or any other person to perform the duties imposed on the convening authority under section 89(1)(b) of the Act, to the registrar or person; or
in the case of a field general court martial, to the convening authority; and
the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with section 89(1) of the Act.
Subregulation 2
If, after the commencement of a trial, any member of a panel court martial or field general court martial, other than the president, dies or is otherwise unable to attend —
the court shall adjourn;
the president shall report —
in the case of a panel court martial —
to the convening authority; or
where the convening authority has authorised the registrar for subordinate military courts or any other person to perform the duties imposed on the convening authority under section 89(2) of the Act, to the registrar or person; or
in the case of a field general court martial, to the convening authority; and
the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with section 89(2) or (3) of the Act, as the case may be.
Subregulation 3
If a judge advocate who has been appointed to officiate in a trial dies or is otherwise unable to attend —
the court shall adjourn;
the president shall report —
to the convening authority; or
where the convening authority has authorised the registrar for subordinate military courts or any other person to perform the duties imposed on the convening authority under section 81(8) of the Act and regulation 9, to the registrar or person; and
the convening authority, registrar or person, as the case may be, shall arrange for the appointment of another judge advocate to officiate in the trial.
Subregulation 4
A trial shall not proceed before a panel court martial or field general court martial in the absence of the president or any other member of the court.
Subregulation 5
If during any trial the accused becomes ill and it appears to the court that the illness is such that it will be impossible to continue the trial, the court shall —
ascertain the facts of the illness;
if satisfied that it will be impossible to continue the trial, report this to the convening authority; and
be dissolved in accordance with section 89(4) of the Act.