Ministry of Defence Legislation

15 statutory instruments made by the Ministry of Defence, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.

The Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 23rd Dec 25 Came into force: Sun 28th Dec 25

The regulations revoked the majority of the Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, specifically Parts 2, 3, and 4, and several ancillary regulations (72, 73, 75 except for one definition, 76, 77(1), and 77(2)).


The Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 enact changes to the existing 2025 amendment regulations concerning disciplinary, performance, and appeals procedures for Ministry of Defence Police officers.

The primary action taken by these Regulations is the revocation of Parts 2, 3, and 4 of the 2025 Regulations, along with specific regulations dealing with tribunal processes and transitional arrangements, effectively removing most of the amendments previously introduced by the 2025 Regulations, except for one definition and a specific amendment related to Scottish tribunal legislation.

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The Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Fri 5th Dec 25 Came into force: Mon 29th Dec 25

The Regulations amended the 2020 MDP Conduct, Performance, and Appeals Tribunals Regulations, introducing electronic service of documents, mandatory disciplinary outcomes for misconduct findings, restructuring performance review stages, and updating rules applicable to former officers.


These 2025 Regulations amend the existing Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) Regulations 2020 to align the disciplinary and performance procedures for Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officers and former officers with recent changes made to the equivalent procedures for territorial police forces in England and Wales.

Key amendments include clarifying that convictions for indictable-only offences constitute gross misconduct, mandating disciplinary action for misconduct findings, updating rules for serving notices electronically, simplifying the performance review system by removing the third stage, and introducing new procedural requirements for former officers regarding accelerated misconduct hearings.

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The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Thu 13th Mar 25 Came into force: Mon 7th Apr 25

The 2025 Order amended the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme, increasing certain payments and adding a new injury descriptor.


This Order amends the 2011 Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme.

It increases the weekly armed forces independence payment to £187.45 and the Motability payment to £77.05.

Additionally, it adds a new descriptor to Schedule 3, covering overuse injuries of the larynx requiring operative treatment, making a temporary award permanent.

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The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Thu 13th Mar 25 Came into force: Mon 7th Apr 25

The 2025 Order amended the 1983 Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme by updating the rates of pensions and allowances for disablement and death.


The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025, effective April 7th, 2025, updates the rates of pensions and allowances payable under the 1983 Scheme to civilians injured or killed during World War II. The amendment replaces the tables in Schedules 3 and 4 outlining these rates, adjusting them to current values.

The order applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

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The Armed Forces (Discharge and Transfer to the Reserve Forces) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 3rd Mar 25 Came into force: Mon 24th Mar 25

The 2025 regulations amended the 2009 Armed Forces discharge and transfer regulations by removing information from discharge certificates and updating to gender-neutral language.


The Armed Forces (Discharge and Transfer to the Reserve Forces) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective March 24, 2025, amend the 2009 regulations.

Key changes include removing the requirement for place of enlistment and officer conduct assessment from discharge certificates and replacing gendered language with gender-neutral terms throughout the 2009 regulations.

The amendments aim to improve efficiency and ensure inclusivity.

These regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and British overseas territories (excluding Gibraltar).

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The Armed Forces Pensions (Remediable Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 25th Feb 25 Came into force: Wed 19th Mar 25

Amendments were made to several UK armed forces pension schemes to improve clarity, correct errors, and ensure consistency in the calculation of pension entitlements.


The Armed Forces Pensions (Remediable Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend various armed forces pension schemes, including the 1975, 2005, and Reserve Forces schemes.

Key changes include removing outdated definitions, correcting cross-references, and updating provisions related to continuity of service. These amendments aim to increase clarity and consistency across different schemes, streamlining administrative processes and ensuring a fairer calculation of pension entitlements for service members.

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The Armed Forces (Court Martial) (Amendment) Rules 2025

Published: Wed 19th Feb 25 Came into force: Thu 20th Feb 25

The Armed Forces (Court Martial) (Amendment) Rules 2025 amended the 2009 rules to specify minimum ranks for court martial presidents based on the defendant's rank.


These rules amend the Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009, specifying the required rank of the president of a court martial board relative to the defendant's rank.

If the defendant is an officer of rank OF-6 or above, the president must also be OF-6 or above.

For defendants of rank OF-5 or below, the president must hold a superior rank.

The rules define OF-5 and OF-6 ranks, clarifying the president's required rank according to the defendant's, and further ensuring fairness and maintaining chain of command within the court martial system.

The changes came into effect on February 20, 2025, and apply to England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and British overseas territories (excluding Gibraltar).

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