27A.—(1) Where—

(a) a person appeals to the summary court-martial under section 178E (inserted by the Defence (Amendment) Act 2007) of the Act of 1954 and the military judge before whom the appeal is heard refers a question of law arising in the proceedings to the Court pursuant to section 22A of this Act, and

(b) a certificate for free legal aid (in this Part of this Act referred to as "a legal aid (case stated) certificate") is granted in respect of the person by the prescribed authority or under subsection (3) of this section,

the person shall be entitled to free legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his case in relation to the case stated and to have a solicitor and counsel assigned to him for that purpose in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations under section 33 of this Act.

(2) A legal aid (case stated) certificate shall be granted in respect of the person concerned if (but only if)—

(a) application is made therefor,

(b) it appears to the prescribed authority that the means of the person are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid, and

(c) it appears to the prescribed authority that, by reason of the serious nature of the offence with which the person is charged or of exceptional circumstances, it is essential in the interests of justice that a legal aid (case stated) certificate should be granted in respect of the person.

(3) Where, in relation to a case stated, a person is refused a legal aid (case stated) certificate by the prescribed authority, he may apply for the certificate to the Court either—

(a) by letter addressed to the registrar of the Court setting out the facts of the case and the grounds of the application, or

(b) to the Court itself,

and the Court shall grant the certificate if (but only if)—

(i) it appears to the Court that the means of the person are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid, and

(ii) it appears to the Court that, by reason of the serious nature of the offence with which the person is charged or of exceptional circumstances, it is essential in the interests of justice that a legal aid (case stated) certificate should be granted in respect of the person.]