FORCES?

Service and criminal offences before the Service Courts, These include the Court Martial, the Court Martial Appeal Court, the Service Civilian Court and the Summary Appeal Court. The Service Courts prosecute persons subject to Service law and civilians subject to Service discipline only, and any issues involving concurrent jurisdiction between the Army and UK civilian authorities will normally be determined by consultation. The Armed Force Act 2006 confers jurisdiction for civilian criminal offences and offences only applicable in a military context.

ii. ALS Officers posted to the SPA manage cases and run prosecutions from start to finish and advocate in the Service Courts regardless of their professional background. We do not distinguish between solicitors, barristers or Scottish advocates.

b. Advisory i. ALS Officers working within an Advisory law branch advise their chain of command on the range of issues facing the organisation from disciplinary matters to health and safety (e.g. COVID measures). ii. These officers are typically based at higher level Army formations such as Divisional or Brigade Headquarters and would be seen as generalist lawyers advising their specific chain of command. There are however some specialist roles within this pillar, such as litigation and claims, and employment law. c. Operational i. Wherever in the world the Army operates, an ALS Officer will either deploy as part of the force or be required to provide time and security sensitive operational advice via reachback. ii. For example, ALS could be advising Commanders on operational law before targeting decisions are made, training troops on the ground on the Law Of Armed Conflict or overseeing the treatment of captured persons in accordance with the UK’s human rights obligations. a. Every person recruited will commission as an ALS Officer at the rank of Captain on a Short Service Commission (currently 12 years with a 3-year probation period.) Prospective officers will be supported by the recruiting team from the date they make their application. Internal training and development will commence from day 1 - the date they commission. b. Each ALS Officer will spend 9 months training before going into their first legal role. This includes the Professionally Qualified Officers’ course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where they will learn basic military skills including weapons handling and fieldcraft, study infantry tactics and take on a range of tasks designed to develop their ability to lead and command. They will then undertake 6 weeks’ legal training at the Directorate of Army Legal Services, including 1 week’s training in the law of armed conflict and a week’s Adventurous Training (usually skiing, hiking or rock climbing). c. On completion of their legal training, recruits spend 3 months on attachment, usually with a combat arm unit such as an infantry battalion. This is designed to give them first-hand experience of life as an Army Officer and provide them with an understanding of the military ethos and function of an Army unit. Previous attachments have taken place in Brunei, Cyprus, Germany, Estonia, Kenya, Canada and the Falklands. d. In addition to their initial training, ALS Officers receive on the job training at their respective postings and are required to attend progressive courses. For example, there are operational law courses conducted at UK universities and in Italy, Germany and the US. There is also opportunity to undertake part-time funded Master of Laws programmes and obtain Higher Rights of Advocacy (Criminal) with various providers.

3. What training and support is given to new ALS Officers?

4. What about physical training? Does an ALS recruit have to do this and is this similar to any other specialist within the army?

Yes. ALS Officers are expected to maintain a level of fitness and this is assessed bi-annually. Fitness requirements vary depending on role, with combat troops naturally required to meet a higher bar than other functions. Recruits must meet fitness requirements as part of the selection process.

The Army encourages its people to conduct regular physical training and the majority of ALS postings are based at locations with easy access to free gym facilities and training instructors. Maintaining physical ‘readiness’ to deploy where and when required is part of our job and therefore our chains of command should ensure personnel have time to exercise during the working day.

5. Would you ever be expected to go to the front line / an active war zone?

Yes, as part of our operational duty ALS Officers may find themselves deploying to conflict zones in support of the UK’s efforts whether in a peacekeeping, security or belligerent role. While not primarily in a combat function, ALS Officers will deploy armed.

6. Within the ALS, what is the structure as regards career progression? In addition, are there opportunities to do secondments in different areas