Section 20 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 - Distribution of Business Among the Benches
Section 20 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 empowers the Chairperson of the Armed Forces Tribunal to make provisions for distributing the Tribunal's business among its Benches. The provision supports the internal allocation of work so that matters can be placed before the appropriate Bench in accordance with the Tribunal's administrative arrangements and other applicable provisions.
Text of Section 20 - Distribution of business among the Benches
What Section 20 means
The provision gives the Chairperson an express statutory power to arrange how the Tribunal's judicial business is distributed among its Benches. In practical terms, the section concerns the internal allocation of matters among Benches rather than creating the Tribunal's substantive jurisdiction by itself.
The Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 is Act No. 55 of 2007. The Act provides a specialised tribunal framework for specified service matters concerning persons subject to the Army Act, 1950, the Navy Act, 1957 and the Air Force Act, 1950, and for appeals arising from court martial proceedings. The Act came into force on 15 June 2008.
Key legal points under Section 20
- Power rests with the Chairperson: Section 20 expressly authorises the Chairperson to make provisions for distribution of the Tribunal's business.
- It concerns business among Benches: The section deals with allocation of Tribunal work among its Benches.
- It operates within the wider AFT framework: Bench composition, Tribunal jurisdiction, procedure and case transfers are governed by other provisions of the Act.
- It should be read with related provisions: Sections 5, 14, 15, 21, 23 and 27 are particularly relevant when considering the constitution, jurisdiction, procedure and transfer of cases between Benches.
Related provisions of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act
Section 5 - Composition of Tribunal and Benches
Section 5 deals with the composition of the Tribunal and its Benches. It provides the institutional structure within which the distribution power under Section 20 operates.
Sections 14 and 15 - Jurisdiction of the Tribunal
Section 14 deals with the Tribunal's jurisdiction, powers and authority in service matters. Section 15 deals with jurisdiction, powers and authority in appeals against court martial. These provisions determine substantive areas of jurisdiction, while Section 20 addresses distribution of the Tribunal's business among Benches.
Section 21 - Exhaustion of available remedies
Section 21 provides that an application is not ordinarily to be admitted unless the applicant has availed of the remedies available under the relevant service law and applicable rules and regulations, subject to the terms of that section.
Section 23 - Procedure and powers of the Tribunal
Section 23 deals with the procedure and powers of the Tribunal. It is relevant after a matter is placed before a Bench and concerns the manner in which proceedings are dealt with under the statutory framework.
Section 27 - Transfer of cases from one Bench to another
Section 27 separately deals with the Chairperson's power to transfer a case pending before one Bench for disposal to another Bench. This should be distinguished from the broader distribution-of-business power contained in Section 20.
Official legal resources
For the current text of the Act, subordinate legislation and official notifications, the Government of India's India Code portal should be treated as the primary statutory reference. Information about the Tribunal, its Benches, cause lists, case status and administrative material may be checked on the official Armed Forces Tribunal portal.
Frequently asked questions
What does Section 20 of the AFT Act provide?
It authorises the Chairperson to make provisions for distributing the business of the Armed Forces Tribunal among its Benches.
Does Section 20 itself define the Tribunal's service-matter jurisdiction?
No. Section 20 concerns distribution of business among Benches. The Tribunal's substantive jurisdiction in service matters and court martial appeals is principally addressed in Sections 14 and 15.
Is distribution of business the same as transfer of a pending case?
They are related but distinct concepts under the Act. Section 20 concerns distribution of Tribunal business among Benches, while Section 27 specifically addresses transfer of a case pending before one Bench to another Bench.
Where can the official text of Section 20 be checked?
The current official statutory text may be checked on the Government of India's India Code portal using the official resource link provided above.