ARMY LEGAL SERVICES Career Guide

ARMY LEGAL SERVICES Career Guide

2 Army Legal Services als role & function The Army Legal Services Branch (ALS) of the Adjutant General s Corps is a specialist branch of the Army, with just over 115 Officers. As the legal repercussions of the Army s actions continue to increase in importance, it s a vital area of the Army s work. Its responsibilities are extensive, from prosecuting in the Court Martial and giving legal advice on international, civil and military law, to advising on operational law, the law of armed conflict and rules of engagement. ALS OFFICERS The ALS is an Officer-only branch of the Army. Legal Officers advise on a diverse range of legal matters. Their legal knowledge has to be as broad as it is deep, and legal Officers take responsibility at a very early stage in their career. They are expected to work hard, but in return they are given the opportunity to deal with a range of legal issues unrivalled in civilian practice. In ALS there are many opportunities for travel - wherever there are members of the Armed Forces legal Officers may be required to give advice and be at the forefront of shaping the legal framework for operations. Legal Officers also enjoy all the usual benefits of being in the Army, including a competitive salary and pension, 6 weeks annual leave and a lifestyle in which sporting facilities, travel and excitement are an integral part. QUALIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY Only fully qualified barristers, solicitors or Scottish advocates may join the ALS. Barristers must have completed pupillage and solicitors must have completed a training contract. Relevant post-qualification experience, such as practice in the criminal or civil courts of the United Kingdom, or a postgraduate qualification or experience in international humanitarian law is an advantage, but not a prerequisite. ALS is interested in recruiting high calibre lawyers with proven intellectual ability. Applicants must be physically fit and usually aged between 24 and 32 (although applicants over 32 are considered on a case by case basis). APPLICATION PROCESS ALS hold one recruiting round per year, which will be advertised on our website. Applicants will be invited to send in a CV and covering letter prior to the formal application deadline. Certain applicants will be invited to an interview round, and a smaller number chosen to attend the Army Officer Selection Board at Westbury, Wiltshire. Subject to Army Medical and Security clearances, successful candidates would join ALS and attend a Professionally Qualified Officers Course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. After initial training, Officers are posted to an ALS branch for their first legal appointment. COMMITMENT The Short Service Commission is a commitment to serve for an initial period of 4 years. Included in this is an initial 18 month probationary period during which ALS considers a new Officer s suitability for the role, before confirming their Commission. If deemed wholly unsuitable, an Officer may be discharged, although this is extremely rare. Applicants should be clear however, that the probationary period is not an option to leave early; the commitment is to serve for the full Short Service Commission of 4 years.

Army Legal Services 3 EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE LIFESTYLE WITH UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITIES THE WIDER WORLD The Army is operational in many countries including Afghanistan, the Falklands and Cyprus and has permanent bases in Germany, Gibraltar, Canada, Belize, Kenya and Brunei. Young legal Officers can expect to work overseas on operations or exercise within their first few years of service. As for time off, Army Officers are entitled to 30 days paid leave a year plus bank holidays which compares favourably with the usual civilian quota of 20 or 25 days. Additionally, the Army grants Officers leave if they have recently been on operations. When deployed on a six-month operational tour for instance, Officers are flown home at the Army s expense for two weeks in the middle of the tour and then given four weeks leave on their return, in addition to annual leave. SPORT AND ADVENTUROUS TRAINING There are more chances to see the world for sport and adventurous training. It s on expeditions that Officers experience the true camaraderie of the Army, with plenty of opportunities to increase the all-important bond with soldiers and fellow Officers. Legal Officers are encouraged to seize the opportunities for sport and adventurous training, as they are seen as an important part of an Officer s development as a person and a leader. Irrespective of standard, the Army has a sport-for-all ethos and Officers are encouraged to organise and take part in sport at every level. Officers are also free to organise expeditions and adventurous trips at any time, so long as they don t clash with work duties, operations or exercises. Army legal Officers experience a unique lifestyle with unparalleled opportunities. In return, ALS expects Officers to maintain the highest personal and professional standards, both as an Officer holding the Queen s Commission and as a lawyer. BENEFITS Benefits include free medical and dental treatment, travel allowances, reduced school fees for your children should you choose to send them to boarding school and looking even further ahead, a generous non-contributory pension scheme. In relation to the pension, if you have served for 20 years and have reached the age of 40, you will be eligible for annual Early Departure Payments and a tax - free lump sum. At age 65 you will receive another tax-free lump sum and your preserved pension. The amount you receive is calculated as a percentage of what you are earning when you retire.

4 Army Legal Services als overview Being a lawyer in the Army is no ordinary job. You could find yourself advising the chain of command on the finer points of international law in the middle of a war zone, while another posting could see you charged with the responsibility of deciding whether to prosecute by Court Martial. You ll work to the same professional standards as any lawyer but will be offered opportunities and challenges that no civilian practice could match - and you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference to the bigger picture. The Army Legal Services is vital to the Army s operations in peacetime and during times of conflict. Its roots can be traced as far back as the 17th century, but never have the skills and expertise of legal Officers been more in demand - and relied upon - than they are today, especially on operations where key decisions are made on the basis of advice given by ALS Officers. There are, generally speaking, three sides to the work of the ALS - prosecutions, general advisory and operational law and legal Officers can expect to work in all three areas within the first few years of joining the ALS. Unlike civilian practice, there will be no pressure on Officers to specialise early in their career - the emphasis is on acquiring a broad range of skills. To become an Army lawyer, candidates must have completed their pupillage or training contract and typically have some experience of working as a barrister, solicitor or Scottish advocate. Becoming an Army legal Officer means learning a new legal system, as well as studying international law, so potential candidates must be academically strong. Some of the reasons cited by legal Officers for leaving private practice are that work has become too routine, there is too much emphasis on timesheets and billing, or poor work-life balance leaves no room for things like sport and travel. While all of these are sound reasons for re-evaluating your career, they should not be the only motivating factors for joining the Army. Being a lawyer in the Army is a vocation, not just a job. To be successful, candidates must have a keen interest in the British Army and what it does. Successful candidates are trained as Army Officers at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and after being commissioned as captains, will undertake a three-month attachment with a combat or combat support arm unit, where they are expected to command soldiers just like any other Army Officer. For the right individual, the ALS is likely to be the best career move they have ever made. There are plenty of challenges as they learn and implement the Service Justice system in all of its complexities. Action and adventure come as part of the package, with lawyers given the same opportunities for sport, travel and adventurous training as any member of the British Army. Officers are also rewarded with a competitive pay and benefits package, which includes a full pension. Best of all though, an ALS career will never stand still, with longer-term career prospects that could include a NATO or UN role as well as the opportunity to rise through the ranks. www.army.mod.uk/agc/9935.aspx

Army Legal Services 5 ALS OFFICERS DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN THE THREE PILLARS OF THE ALS Prosecutions The Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) is similar in function to the Crown Prosecution Service, deciding which cases go to trial at the Court Martial. Army lawyers prosecute in court, regardless of whether they are solicitors or barristers. Advisory Army lawyers working within an Advisory Branch advise the chain of command on a range of issues such as Army policy, operational and criminal law. Duties range from providing guidance, to training commanders and soldiers in all aspects of Service discipline. Operational Law With the Army s operational commitments showing no sign of decreasing, the skills and knowledge of legal Officers are increasingly in demand. They can be called upon to advise commanders and other military personnel on all aspects of Service and international law.

6 Army Legal Services DEBRIEF Captain Alastair Wills WHat attracted you to ALS? I was attracted to ALS because it allowed me to practise law whilst, at the same time, enabling me to join the Army as a Commissioned Officer. The legal work is both challenging and varied. It can range from giving advice to a Commanding Officer on disciplinary matters in the UK, to advising the chain of command on the legality of operational plans in Afghanistan. Joining the Army has given me the opportunity to become involved in a wide variety of sports, as well as allowing me to travel extensively. I enjoy law, travel and sport so ALS seemed the obvious choice. How did you find Officer selection and training? Officer selection was a challenge both mentally and physically. I had to perform a number of tasks to show that I could work under pressure, both individually and as part of a team. In addition, there were various legal tests as well as fitness tests. Officer selection lasted three days with the obstacle course at the end being the highlight; it was certainly not a standard interview! How different was the legal training? The legal training was very different. This is because the law you deal with in the Army is very different to what you find in a standard legal firm. The Army has its own set of rules governing its members and these were very different to anything I had come across before. Of course, a similar skill set is required whether you re practising within the Army or outside it, and, as a result, I found the change reasonably straight forward. Where have you been posted? I have worked in a number of different locations around the UK, trained with the Infantry for six weeks in Canada and I am now working for Army Legal Assistance in Germany. The fact that I move around so much gives me the opportunity to experience different cultures and ways of life. It is one of the reasons I signed up. What do you enjoy most about your job? The best thing about the job is that I work for an organisation I truly believe in and respect. The fact that I am involved in what the Army is trying to achieve around the world gives me real job satisfaction. My role as an Army lawyer allows me to be directly involved in assisting the Army; be it on operations, advising Commanding Officers both in the UK and Germany, or assisting soldiers with various legal problems they may encounter.

Army Legal Services 7 DEBRIEF Captain Rafe Harris What attracted you to ALS? The opportunity of career progression and the wide variety of roles that we undertake. I did not want to be restricted to one job or area of law for the rest of my career and the opportunity of new postings on a regular basis was a real incentive. It also allows me to test and increase my legal knowledge in a variety of specialist areas. How did you find Officer selection and training? The selection process started in the grandeur of Horse Guards and took me through the physical test of the obstacle course and the mental challenges of the leadership and written exercises of the Army Officer Selection Board. My time at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, was a very challenging yet rewarding experience but one I found thoroughly enjoyable. How different was the legal training? As a result of my previous employment I had a solid base in criminal law but the complexities of international and operational law were new to me. The training allowed me to apply my existing legal knowledge within the Army environment, whilst gaining specific training on all aspects of Service law. Where have you been posted? After my initial training I spent my Combat Arm attachment with the 9th/12th Royal Lancers in Germany, which included deploying with them to Iraq. This gave me an invaluable insight into the practical role of the British Army and the effect it can have on the lives of the soldiers. On my return I was posted to the Advisory Branch of 2nd Division in Edinburgh. I am now working with the Service Prosecuting Authority What do you enjoy most about your job? I enjoy the variety of the work. No two days are ever the same and there is a constant challenge. I also have the benefit of working with a wide range of individuals with whom I can share my experiences but from whom I am also able to learn a lot from.

8 Army Legal Services als training & lifestyle Overview The expertise of the ALS is vitally important to today s Army. Its Officers are expected to carry out demanding work and to build continually on their knowledge and experience. Legal Officers join the Army as qualified solicitors and barristers and undertake a 20-week training programme and three-month Combat, or Combat Support Arm, attachment. During this time, legal Officers find out what Army life is all about and get a taste of the action-packed lifestyle. Initial Officer Training After a period of familiarisation spent on Part 1 of the Initial Officers Course based at Andover, Hampshire, legal Officers attend the ten-week Professionally Qualified Officers course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. This course provides an insight into the roles and responsibilities of an Army Officer. Studies include military tactics and basic military skills such as shooting, drill, navigation and field craft. Officers also undertake a range of command and leadership tasks and explore issues confronting the modern Army. During the course, ALS Officers work alongside professionals from other cap badges, including doctors, dentists, vets and chaplains. Specialist Legal Training After Sandhurst, legal Officers spend time at Andover learning about Service law at the ALS HQ. The intensive course covers international and operational law and policy, which includes the Geneva Conventions, Law of Armed Conflict and Rules of Engagement. Students also study service and criminal law and procedure, such as drafting charges and preparing cases for trial by the Court Martial. The aim of this course is for Officers to gain a solid understanding of what is expected of a legal Officer in the modern Army. Combat or Combat Support Arm Attachment On completion of ALS training, legal Officers spend three months on attachment with a regular unit, such as an Infantry Battalion, Engineer Regiment, Royal Artillery Regiment or Signals Regiment. This first-hand experience provides an understanding of the military ethos and functions of an Army unit. With many ALS Officers deploying on operations early in their careers, it is increasingly important that legal Officers understand soldiers. Career Development The Army is committed to lifelong learning and ALS Officers receive ongoing training during their career, which could include residential courses at overseas educational establishments such as the Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy. All Officers are released from duty to attend compulsory Law Society or Bar Council courses. A range of internal career courses are also available, for example, all Officers study advocacy to prepare them for posting to the Service Prosecuting Authority.

Army Legal Services 9 Lifestyle Opportunities for sport, travel and adventurous training come as part and parcel of Army life and this is no different for ALS Officers. These opportunities are seen as essential components of an Officer s well-rounded development and build a sense of camaraderie. Alongside this, Army life offers the opportunity for a busy social life, which can include formal Mess dinners and more informal events. Sporting and social activities are organised at many levels. Despite its size, the ALS is represented across a number of sports at Army level and beyond. Adventurous training is another key part of Army life and this might include ice-climbing in the Rockies, freefall parachuting in Kenya or white-water rafting in Wales. The Army has sporting facilities around the world, including water-sports centres in the Caribbean, Germany and the Mediterranean. Locations An Officer s location depends on the nature of the work. General advisory Officers work within an ALS branch integrated into an Army garrison, typically in the UK. On operations, Officers may be deployed anywhere in the world. Prosecuting Officers will be based either at the Service Prosecuting Authority near London. Working hours When not on operations or exercises, ALS Officers will usually keep normal office hours. When required, ALS Officers are expected to work beyond those times. Accommodation Accommodation is provided throughout an ALS Officer s career if they need it. Single Officers can live in the Officers Mess, whereas married Officers qualify for Service Families Accomodation at a reasonable rent. DEBRIEF Brigadier Stuart Lythgoe, What made you leave civilian law? I spent nine years in private practice and could see the rest of my working life in front of me. I was looking to work in a different area of the law - I d been in the TA and liked the prospect of travelling so decided to join the Army when I was 33. Is it a big challenge implementing operational law in an operational environment? I have found that it involves lot of liaising with agencies to develop cohesion between the different lawyers. A lot of it is common sense but you have to be open to the different legal systems and accept that the thought processes can be slightly different. Has the job lived up to your expectations? It s given me some great opportunities and I ve travelled a lot. I spent two years working at the NATO HQ in Greece and lived there with my family, which was a great experience for them as well as me. I also spent time in Kosovo where I was working with several different nationalities. I was involved in border negotiations. I subsequently served as Commander Legal in Iraq What advice would you give to aspiring ALS lawyers? You have to remember that you are not just a lawyer but also an Army Officer and must be proud to serve in the Army. If you don t have that pride, you won t fit in. www.army.mod.uk/agc/9935.aspx

10 Army Legal Services YOU ARE NOT JUST A LAWYER BUT AN OFFICER, AND MUST BE PROUD TO SERVE IN THE ARMY ALS OFFICER CAREER TIMELINE In the first six years, Army legal Officers can expect to work in three distinct areas - Prosecutions, Advisory and Operational Law At three years: subject to report recommendations, an ALS Officer could apply to convert to an Intermediate Regular Commission (IRC ), which would allow service up to the 20-year point. After six years: Officers who have converted to an IRC, with the appropriate recommendations, can apply to convert to a Regular Commission, which would allow up to 34 years service, or service until age 60, whichever is the earlier. YEARS SERVICE 2 3 4 5 6 By six years: ALS Officers can normally be expected to be promoted to Major. After Seven years: with a lot of experience ALS Officers can supervise and mentor junior Officers and can deputise for a commander legal. After a further six years service, subject to recommendations, ALS Officers may be eligible for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. 7 8

Army Legal Services 11 DEBRIEF Lieutenant Colonel Bilal Siddique, Commander Legal How did you find the Professionally Has being an Army lawyer lived up to Qualified Officers Course at Sandhurst your expectations? after working as a civilian barrister? I have had some great opportunities and have been I d been a Signaller in the Territorial Army so that stood able to focus on prosecution and advocacy, which is me in good stead for the soldiering and field skills and what I wanted to do. I ve also been able to pursue I also felt very comfortable with the leadership and my sport, Tae Kwon Do and have represented both command tasks. the Combined Services and the Army. Was the Combat Arm attachment useful? Yes, invaluable. I spent three months in Omagh, Northern Ireland with 1st Battalion the Queen s Lancashire Regiment. Without the attachment I wouldn t have had an opportunity to experience how an Infantry Battalion works. How well does the ALS training package prepare you? Very well, but you can only ever prepare for your first posting to a certain extent because there is so much to learn on the job. I felt enthusiastic and excited when I did the handover for my first posting to HQ 1 (UK) Armoured Division in Germany. als sport and adventure training ALS next step Captain Mark Lee playing for the Army Rugby Team ALS Officers enjoying Skiing ALS hold one recruiting round per year, with a view to selected applicants, following an interview round, being invited to the Army Officer Selection Board. Successful candidates would join ALS and attend a Professionally Qualified Officers Course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. We will advertise any recruiting rounds on our website. If you want to want to find out more about ALS, including the possibility of taking part in a short insight visit, please contact us. www.army.mod.uk/agc/9935.aspx

Crown Copyright The sponsor of this publication is: DALS Army Headquarters, Ramillies, Marlborough Lines Monxton Road, Andover Hampshire SP11 8HJ T 01264 38 1871 M 94393 7871 DII ArmyLegal-DALS-Trg-Rec-SO2@mod.uk ADR004667