Section 20 of The Navy Act, 1957
The arms, clothes, equipments, accoutrements or necessaries of any person in the naval service, while subject to naval law, shall not be seized, nor shall the pay and allowances or any part thereof of such person be attached under any process or direction issued by, or by the authority of, any court or public servant in respect of any claim, decree or order enforceable against him.
Summary
- The essential military gear of a naval service member cannot be seized by any court or official.
- Protected items specifically include arms, clothes, equipments, accoutrements, and necessaries.
- The pay and allowances of naval personnel are entirely immune from being attached for any debt or claim.
- This protection blocks any legal process or direction issued by a court or public servant.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can a bank force the navy to dock my pay under Section 20 of The Navy Act 1957?
No, your pay and allowances cannot be attached under any process issued by a court or public servant for any claim.
2. Can debt collectors take my uniform under Section 20 of the naval law?
No, your clothes, arms, and equipments are completely protected from being seized.
3. Does Section 20 of this Act protect all my property like my personal car?
The law only specifically lists arms, clothes, equipments, accoutrements, necessaries, and pay and allowances as protected from seizure.
Test yourself
Q1.Which of the following items is explicitly protected from seizure by a court under this rule?
Q2.What action is a civil court completely barred from taking against a sailor's salary?
Q3.Whose orders are powerless to seize a sailor's military clothes or pay?
Q4.If a sailor is facing a severe financial decree from a public servant, what happens to their naval allowances?