Convening and composition of court martial

(1) A court martial shall be convened by the Governor- General in accordance with the advice of the Security Services (2) A court martial shall consist of the president and not less than of court two other officers, 50 provided that a court martial shall consist of not less than five members if– (a) an officer is to be tried; or (b) the only punishment or the maximum punishment which can be awarded in respect of a charge before the court is death. (3) Save as hereinafter provided, an officer shall not be appointed a member of a court martial unless he belongs to, is attached to or is seconded to serve with the Force and has held a commission for a period of not less than two years or for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than two years. (4) Not less than two of the members of a court martial shall be of a rank not below that of captain. (5) The president of a court martial shall be appointed by order of the convening officer and shall not be under the rank of field officer unless in the opinion of the convening officer a field officer having suitable qualifications is not, with due regard to the public service, available; and in any event the president of a court martial shall not be below the rank of captain. (6) The members of a court martial, other than the president, shall be appointed by order of the convening officer or in such other manner as may be prescribed. (7) An officer under the rank of captain shall not be a member of a court martial for the trial of an officer above that rank.