Civil offence

'''Civil offence''' was a term of art in military law in the United Kingdom.

In the Army Act 1955 (3 & 4 Eliz. 2. c. 18) and the Air Force Act 1955 (3 & 4 Eliz. 2. c. 19), the expression "civil offence" meant any act or omission punishable by the law of England or which, if committed in England, would be punishable by that law.<ref>The Army Act 1955, [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/3-4/18/section/70 section 70(2)]</ref><ref>The Air Force Act 1955, [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/3-4/19/section/70 section 70(2)]</ref>

As to this definition, see ''Cox v Army Council'' [1963] AC 48, HL.

Section 42(1) of the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (5 & 6 Eliz. 2. c. 53) defined a civil offence as "any act or omission which is punishable by the law of England or would be so punishable if committed in England."<ref>The Naval Discipline Act 1957, [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/5-6/53/section/42 Section 42(1)]</ref>

See now the offence of "criminal conduct" under section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006.

It is a misnomer to describe a civil wrong as a "civil offence".<ref>Williams, G.L., (1982). "Learning the Law", 11th Ed., London : Stevens, {{ISBN|0-420-46290-2}}, p. 4</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:United Kingdom military law Category:Crimes