SI 2026/1066 - The Armed Forces (Service Complaints Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS 2026 No. 1066 DEFENCE The Armed Forces (Service Complaints Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 Made - - - - 6th October 2026 Coming into force - - 3rd November 2026 The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 340A(4), 340N(4) and 373(5) of the Armed Forces Act 2006(1).

In accordance with section 373(3) of the Armed Forces Act 2006, a draft of this instrument was laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Armed Forces (Service Complaints Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 3rd November 2026.

(3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the British Overseas Territories except Gibraltar.

Amendment of the Armed Forces (Service Complaints Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2015

2.—(1) The Armed Forces (Service Complaints Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2015(2) (“the 2015 Regulations”) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a) omit the definition of “appropriate officer”;

(b) insert in the appropriate place ““appropriate person” has the same meaning as in

section 340N(2);”.

(3) In regulation 3(2) (excluded complaints), after sub-paragraph (c) insert—

(1) 2006 c. 52. Section 340A and section 340N were inserted by section 2(1) of the Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Act 2015 (c. 19). Section 340N was amended by section 5 and paragraphs 11 and 22 of Schedule 2 to the Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025 (c. 23).

(2) S.I. 2015/2064, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.Document Generated: 2026-10-09

Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format. “(ca) a decision under regulations made for the purposes of section 340D(2)(ca) (decision relating to whether an appeal has been brought on valid grounds);”.

(4) In regulation 6 (notifications to the Commissioner)—

(a) for “officer”, in both places it occurs, substitute “person”;

(b) after “that a person” insert “(“P”)”;

(c) for paragraphs (a) to (c) substitute— “(a) that they have informed P that the allegation has been referred;

(b) that they have complied with section 340N(3)(b);

(c) whether P wishes to make a service complaint in respect of the alleged wrong;”.

Transitional provision 3 Where an allegation is referred to the appropriate officer under section 340N(1) of the Armed Forces Act 2006 before the day on which these Regulations come into force, it is to be treated, on and after that day, for the purposes of any requirement to notify the Commissioner which arises under regulation 6 of the 2015 Regulations in relation to the allegation—

(a) on or after that day, or

(b) before that day and which is not complied with before that day, as if it was referred to the appropriate person under that section.

Calvin Bailey Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State 6th October 2026 Ministry of Defence 2Document Generated: 2026-10-09

Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations amend the Armed Forces (Service Complaints Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/2064) (“the 2015 Regulations”).

Regulation 2 amends regulations 2 and 6 of the 2015 Regulations to replace references to the “appropriate officer” with references to the “appropriate person”, and amends regulation 3 of the 2015 Regulations to include an additional matter about which a person may not make a service complaint. Regulation 2 also makes minor amendments to regulation 6 to modernise the drafting.

Regulation 3 makes transitional provision for service complaints submitted before the commencement date. Where an allegation was referred before that date to the appropriate officer, it is to be treated on and after commencement as having been referred to the appropriate person for the purposes of notification requirements arising on or after that date, and for any such requirements which arose before that date but had not been complied with.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.

3