Rule 17. En banc proceedings
(a)
(1)
A party may suggest the appropriateness of consideration or reconsideration by the Court as a whole. Such consideration or reconsideration ordinarily will not be ordered except:
(i)
When consideration by the full Court is necessary to secure or maintain uniformity of decision, or
(ii)
When the proceedings involve a question of exceptional importance, or
(iii)
When a sentence being reviewed pursuant to Article 66 extends to death.
(2)
In cases being reviewed pursuant to Article 66, a party’s suggestion that a matter be considered initially by the Court as a whole must be filed with the Court within 7 days after the government files its answer to the assignment of errors, or the appellant files a reply under Rule
15
(b). In other proceedings, the suggestion must be filed with the party’s initial petition or other initial pleading, or within 7 days after the response thereto is filed. A suggestion for reconsideration by the Court as a whole must be made within the time prescribed by Rule
19 for filing a motion for reconsideration. No response to a suggestion for consideration or reconsideration by the Court as a whole may be filed unless the Court shall so order.
(b)
The suggestion of a party for consideration or reconsideration by the Court as a whole shall be transmitted to each judge of the Court who is present for duty, but a vote need not be taken to determine whether the cause shall be considered or reconsidered by the Court as a whole on such a suggestion made by a party unless a judge requests a vote.
(c)
A majority of the judges present for duty may order that any appeal or other proceeding be considered or reconsidered by the Court sitting as a whole. However, en banc reconsideration of an en banc decision will not be held unless at least one member of the original majority concurs in a vote for reconsideration.
(d)
This rule does not affect the power of the Court sua sponte to consider or reconsider any case sitting as a whole.