Armed Forces Bill
The King's Speech 2026 defence bill to renew and reform the service justice framework and place the Armed Forces Covenant on a statutory footing.
2026
HL Bill 36 Explanatory Notes
Human Rights Memorandum by the Ministry of Defence (updated)
Delegated Powers Memorandum: Memorandum from the Ministry of Defence (updated)
Explanatory Notes: Bill 003 EN 2026-27 - pdf
King's Speech 2026: Justice
Why linked: Duplicate/alternative version of King's Speech 2026 Justice briefing; essential parliamentary research document on the bill's legislative context
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2026-0019) This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about justice.
King's Speech 2026: Justice
Why linked: King's Speech 2026 Justice briefing (Lords Library Note) will directly address announcements on the Armed Forces Bill, service justice reform, and related legislative proposals from the 13 May 2026 King's Speech
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2026-0019) This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about justice.
King's Speech 2026: Defence
Why linked: Lords Library Note on King's Speech 2026 Defence briefing, directly anticipating the Armed Forces Bill announcement
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2026-0010) This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 on defence.
King's Speech 2026: Defence
Why linked: Lords Library Note on King's Speech 2026 Defence briefing, directly anticipating the Armed Forces Bill announcement (duplicate entry)
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2026-0010) This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 on defence.
Armed Forces Bill 2024-26
Why linked: Commons Library briefing CBP-10471 on the present Bill — primary independent scrutiny baseline.
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-10471) The Select Committee of the Armed Forces Bill 2024-26 reported on 29 April 2026.
Formal Minutes of the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill 2026
Why linked: Formal Minutes of the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill 2026—parliamentary scrutiny document essential to understanding legislative intent and committee position.
Formal Minutes of the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill 2026—parliamentary scrutiny document essential to understanding legislative intent and committee position.
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill: Special Report on the Armed Forces Bill 2026
Why linked: Filled the "Armed Forces Covenant implementation and veteran support provisions" gap via web research
The ad hoc Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill 2026 special report scrutinising the Bill's provisions, with a primary focus on the extension of the Armed Forces Covenant legal duty (Clause 2) to new policy areas and to Whitehall …
Armed Forces Bill 2026: impact assessments
Why linked: MoD impact assessments accompanying the Bill (2 March 2026).
Impact assessments of the Armed Forces Bill 2026.
Memorandum from the Ministry of Defence on the Armed Forces Bill
Why linked: MoD Memorandum on the Armed Forces Bill to the Defence Committee.
Direction: unknown
Human rights memorandum: Memorandum by the Ministry of Defence
Delegated Powers Memorandum: Memorandum from the Ministry of Defence
Explanatory Notes: Bill 367 EN 2024-26
2025
The Armed Forces Covenant and its status in law
Why linked: Commons Library briefing CBP-9072 on the Covenant's legal status — directly anchors Clause 2 analysis.
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-9072) The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the government and the armed forces.
4th Special Report – Government response to The Armed Forces Covenant report
Why linked: Filled the "Armed Forces Covenant implementation and veteran support provisions" gap via web research
26th Report - Draft Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025; Armed Forces Commissioner Bill: Government Response
Why linked: DPRRC 26th Report 2024-26 covering the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill Government Response — directly interlocks with this Bill's service complaints architecture.
DPRRC 26th Report 2024-26 covering the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill Government Response — directly interlocks with this Bill's service complaints architecture.
4th Report – The Armed Forces Covenant
Why linked: Defence Committee 4th Report on the Covenant (HC 572) — substantive evidence base for Clause 2.
Defence Committee 4th Report on the Covenant (HC 572) — substantive evidence base for Clause 2.
17th Report - Armed Forces Commissioner Bill; House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL]; Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill
Why linked: Defence Committee report on Armed Forces Commissioner Bill (2025) – related armed forces governance reform; however, note this is a separate Commissioner Bill, not the Armed Forces Bill itself. Include as adjacent armed forces justice/governance scrutiny
Defence Committee report on Armed Forces Commissioner Bill (2025) – related armed forces governance reform; however, note this is a separate Commissioner Bill, not the Armed Forces Bill itself. Include as adjacent armed forces justice/governance scrutiny
2021
Armed Forces Bill 2021-2022: Lords amendments
Why linked: Commons Library briefing on the 2021 Armed Forces Bill Lords amendments — direct precedent for the Lords stages this Bill is heading into.
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-9392) The House of Commons rejected two amendments made to the Armed Forces Bill in the House of Lords. At their consideration of the Commons reasons for rejecting the changes, two amendments in lieu were proposed …
7th Report - Armed Forces Bill; Critical Benchmarks (References and Administrators’ Liability) Bill [HL]
Why linked: 7th Report referencing Armed Forces Bill - potential scrutiny record though title incomplete
7th Report referencing Armed Forces Bill - potential scrutiny record though title incomplete
Briefing for Lords stages
Why linked: Lords Library Note briefing for Lords stages of Armed Forces Bill, covering parliamentary consent extension and substantive provisions
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2021-0020) The bill would extend parliamentary consent for the armed forces for a further five years, along with other provisions. This briefing considers: the background to the bill; what it would do and what happened during …
Armed Forces Bill 2021-22: Progress of the Bill
Why linked: Commons Briefing Paper tracking Armed Forces Bill 2021-22 parliamentary progress through committee and remaining stages
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-9234) The Armed Forces Bill 2021-22 completed Committee of the Whole House on 23 June 2021. Remaining stages are yet to be scheduled.
The Armed Forces Bill – Report of the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill (HC 1281, 2021)
Why linked: Filled the "Service complaints procedures and redress mechanisms" gap via web research
The Special Report of the ad-hoc Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill 2021, which scrutinised the Bill across three areas including the Service Complaints System, welcoming efforts to speed up the complaints process while recommending safeguards for fair access …
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill Formal Minutes
Why linked: Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill Formal Minutes (2021-04-23)
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill Formal Minutes (2021-04-23)
Special Report of Session 2019–21: The Armed Forces Bill
Why linked: Special Report of Session 2019-21 on Armed Forces Bill - parliamentary scrutiny record
Special Report of Session 2019-21 on Armed Forces Bill - parliamentary scrutiny record
The Armed Forces Bill 2019 - 2021
Why linked: Commons Briefing Paper on Armed Forces Bill 2019-21 covering background, scope and key issues
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-9128) This briefing paper sets out the background to the Armed Forces Bill 2019-21. This Bill has its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 8 February 2021.
The review of the service justice system
Why linked: Library briefing on the Service Justice System review — directly relevant evidence base for Bill discipline measures.
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-9118) The next quinquennial Armed Forces Bill is due in 2021. In 2017 the Ministry of Defence commissioned a review of the service justice system in preparation for the Bill. This paper explains what the Service …
2018
Armed Forces Covenant
Why linked: Commons Debate Pack on Armed Forces Covenant 2018, directly addresses the Covenant which is central to the 2026 Bill's statutory footing objective
Type: Commons Debate Pack (CDP-2018-0256) A general debate on the ‘Armed Forces Covenant’ has been scheduled for Thursday 22 November 2018 in the Main Chamber.
2016
Armed Forces Bill 2015-16: Lords amendments
Why linked: Commons Briefing Paper on Armed Forces Bill 2015-16 Lords amendments - formal legislative analysis
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-7583) The Armed Forces Bill 2015-16 returns to the House of Commons on 11 May 2016 for consideration of Lords amendments. This briefing paper provides information on these amendments.
Armed Forces Bill 2015–16: Briefing for Lords Stages
Why linked: Lords Library Note briefing on Armed Forces Bill 2015-16 - parliamentary scrutiny documentation (duplicate of 211919)
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2016-0005) This briefing provides information in support of the House of Lords consideration of the Armed Forces Bill.
Armed Forces Bill 2015–16: Briefing for Lords Stages
Why linked: Lords Library Note briefing on Armed Forces Bill 2015-16 - parliamentary scrutiny documentation
Type: Lords Library Note (LLN-2016-0005) This briefing provides information in support of the House of Lords consideration of the Armed Forces Bill.
2015
Armed Forces Bill 2015‑16
Why linked: Commons Briefing Paper on Armed Forces Bill 2015-16 explaining the five-yearly bill mechanism and military law framework
Type: Commons Briefing Paper (CBP-7324) The five-yearly Armed Forces Bill provides the legal basis for the UK's armed forces and its system of military law.
2014
Defence Reform Bill: Lords Amendments
Why linked: Standard Note on Defence Reform Bill Lords Amendments 2014 - parliamentary scrutiny documentation
Type: Standard Note (SN06869) The Defence Reform Bill provides for the reform the way in which the Ministry of Defence procures equipment and support for the Armed Forces and, separately, extends the scope for the use of the Reserve Forces. …
2013
Report Stage and Third Reading of the Defence Reform Bill
Why linked: Standard Note on Defence Reform Bill Report and Third Reading - legislative analysis
Type: Standard Note (SN06768) Report Stage and Third Several amendments were tabled prior to Report stage, including one which sought to impose an obligation on the Government to report on the viability and cost-effectiveness of the plan to increase the …
Defence Reform Bill
Why linked: Research Briefing on Defence Reform Bill 2013 - initial policy context and background
Type: Research Briefing (RP13-45) The Defence Reform Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 3 July 2013. Second Reading has been tabled for 16 July 2013.
2011
Lords Amendments
Why linked: Standard Note on Armed Forces Bill Lords Amendments 2011 - legislative scrutiny record
Type: Standard Note (SN06083) Six amendments to the Armed Forces Bill were agreed at Lords Third Reading which took place on 10 October, including several tabled or supported by the Government. This note briefly examines those amendments.
2010
Armed Forces Bill [Bill 122 of 2010-11]
Why linked: Research briefing on Armed Forces Bill 2010-11, providing historical context on service justice framework and legal basis for Armed Forces – directly relevant to understanding the statutory basis being reformed
Type: Research Briefing (RP10-85) The purpose of the Armed Forces Bill is to provide the legal basis for the Armed Forces and the system of military law which exists in the UK. It also offers an opportunity to make necessary …
2005
Background to the forthcoming Armed Forces Bill.
Why linked: Research paper on background to forthcoming Armed Forces Bill 2005, provides historical legislative context on service justice framework evolution
Type: Research Paper (RP05-75)
2004
Defence White Paper
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Defence White Paper
Type: Research Paper (RP04-71) The Defence White Paper. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/71.
2001
Armed Forces Bill (Bill 4 2000/01)
Why linked: Research paper on Armed Forces Bill 2000/01, provides earlier legislative precedent for service justice framework reform
Type: Research Paper (RP01-03) The Armed Forces Bill (Bill 4 of 2000/01). House of Commons Library Research Paper 01/03.