Section 131: Officers having power to convene court-martial

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, a court-martial may be convened by-
(a) the President; or
(b) the Chief of Defence Staff; or
(c) Service Chiefs; or
(d) a general officer commanding, a brigadier, colonel or lieutenant colonel or their corresponding ranks having command of a body of troops or establishments; or
(e) an officer for the time being acting in place of those officers.
(2) A general court-martial may be convened by-
(a) the President; or
(b) the Chief of Defence Staff; or
(c) the Service Chiefs; or
(d) a general officer commanding or corresponding command; or
(e) a brigade commander or corresponding command.
(3) A special court-martial may be convened by-
(a) a person who may convene a general court-martial; or
(b) the commanding officer of a battalion or of a corresponding unit in the Armed Forces.
(4) The senior officer of a detached unit, establishment or squadron may be authorised by the appropriate superior authority to order a court-martial in special circumstances.