“(3) During any trial by Coast Guard Court, it is the duty of the Law Officer to decide all questions of law, including questions as to the relevancy of facts and admissibility of oral and documentary evidence.
(4) Whenever during trial, it appears to the Law Officer that any argument as to the admissibility of the evidence or on application for separate trials or on any other question of law, should not be heard in the presence of the court, he may advise the Presiding Officer of the court accordingly and the Presiding Officer shall thereupon, make an order for the court to retire and thereafter, the Law Officer shall hear the arguments and give his opinion.
(5) Where any opinion has been given by the Law Officer to the court on any matter before it, it may be recorded in the proceedings.
(6) In the discharge of his duties, the Law Officer shall maintain a strict impartial position”.
29. In rule 119 of the principal rules, for the words “confirming authority” the words “convening authority” shall be substituted.
30. Rule 120 of the principal rules shall be numbered as sub-rule(I) thereof and –
(a) in sub-rule(I) as so re-numbered, for the words “The proceedings of every Court”, the words “The proceedings of every Coast Guard Court”, shall be substituted;
(b) after sub-rule (I) as so re-numbered, the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:- “(2) The proceedings of every summary trial shall, after promulgation, be forwarded to the Officer-in-Charge, Bureau of Naviks, who shall preserve these proceedings for a period not less than seven years”’;