12Registrar to conduct case management conferences

12 Registrar to conduct case management conferences

(1) The Registrar may conduct a case management conference in order to facilitate the efficient functioning and administration of proceedings in respect of any charge referred for trial by the Australian Military Court, an application for an extension of time to appeal to the Australian Military Court, or an appeal to the Australian Military Court.

(1A) The Registrar must set a date for, and conduct, a case management conference in accordance with any practice notes made for this purpose.

(2) A case management conference mentioned in subrule (1) may be conducted:

(a) in person; or

(b) by audio or video link.

(3) The Registrar must attend a case management conference as chairperson, and may invite the following persons to participate:

(a) the Director of Military Prosecutions, or a representative;

(b) the Director of Defence Counsel Services, or a representative;

(c) the appointed defending officer of the accused person;

(d) any other person who, in the opinion of the Registrar, is appropriate to participate in the conference.

(4) An accused person is not required to participate in a case management conference, but may choose to do so through his or her appointed defending officer.

(5) If a matter that requires judicial determination arises at a case management conference, the Registrar must refer the matter to a Military Judge.

(6) The costs of a case management conference will be borne by the Commonwealth.