Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) The Chief of the Defence Force shall if, and to the extent that, the exigencies of service permit, cause an accused person awaiting trial by a court martial or by a Defence Force magistrate to be afforded the opportunity to be represented at the trial, and to be advised before the trial, by a legal officer.
(2) An accused person who is advised or represented in accordance with subsection (1) shall be so advised or represented without expense to the accused person.
(3) Nothing in this section prevents the operation of any scheme of legal aid, advice or assistance under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
(4) The Chief of the Defence Force may delegate his or her powers under subsection (1) to a member of the Defence Force who holds a rank that is not lower than the naval rank of captain, or the rank of colonel or group captain.