203ADeputy Judge Advocate General

1. The Governor-General may from time to time by warrant appoint a barrister or solicitor of the High Court who has held a practising certificate for not less than 7 years, whether or not the person holds or has held any judicial office, to be Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces.

2. The Deputy Judge Advocate General may not be removed from office except in accordance with section 16 of the Court Martial Act 2007; and that section applies accordingly with any necessary modifications.

3. The Deputy Judge Advocate General must retire from office on attaining the age of 70 years.

4. The Deputy Judge Advocate General shall have and may exercise such of the powers, duties, and functions of the Judge Advocate General as the Judge Advocate General may from time to time delegate to the Deputy Judge Advocate General, but no such delegation shall prevent the exercise of any power, duty, or function by the Judge Advocate General.

5. On the occurrence from any cause of a vacancy in the office of Judge Advocate General, and in the case of the absence from duty of the Judge Advocate General (from whatever cause arising), and for so long as any such vacancy or absence continues, the Deputy Judge Advocate General shall have and may exercise all the powers, duties, and functions of the Judge Advocate General.

6. The fact that the Deputy Judge Advocate General exercises any power, duty, or function of the Judge Advocate General shall be conclusive evidence of the Deputy Judge Advocate General’s authority to do so.