reg 3A The overriding objective
(1) The overriding objective of these Rules is that cases be dealt with justly. (2) Dealing with a case justly includes— (a) acquitting the innocent and convicting the guilty; (b) treating all participants with politeness and respect; (c) dealing with the prosecution and defence fairly; (d) recognising the rights of a defendant, particularly those under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights; (e) respecting the interests of witnesses, victims and lay members (if any) and keeping them informed of the progress of the case; (f) dealing with the case efficiently and expeditiously; (g) ensuring that appropriate information is available to a judge advocate or the court when either custody before or after charge or sentence are considered; and (h) dealing with the case in ways that take into account— (i) the gravity of the offence alleged; (ii) the complexity of what is in issue; (iii) the severity of the consequences for the defendant and others affected; (iv) the needs of other cases; and (v) the need to maintain the operational effectiveness of Her Majesty’s forces. (3) In this rule “ custody before or after charge ” means the keeping of the accused in service custody under Part 4 of the 2006 Act.