The Office of the Judge Advocate General can be traced back to the Articles of War of 1639 issued by King Charles I. He gave authority "...to the Council of War and the Advocate of the Army to enquire of the actors and circumstances of offences committed by the oaths of such of so many ..." as they thought convenient using "...all means for examination and trial of persons delated, suspected, or defamed ..." Orders issued in 1662 by Charles II gave authority to the "... Judge Advocate of the Forces ..." to take information and depositions as occasion should require in all matters triable before court-martial.

The Director of the branch is an Air Vice-Marshal. The legal branch comprises 40 uniformed officers all of whom are legally qualified. The headquarters of the branch is located at Air Command, RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. Officers serve in the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland and in operational areas.

Provides advice to RAF Commands, Groups, formations and commanding officers on any legal issue effecting the RAF.

Provides advice and assistance during the operational planning process and acts as legal adviser to the deployed commander on e.g. rules of engagement, status of force issues and targeting of military objectives.

As prosecutors appointed by the RAF Prosecuting Authority prefer charges and conduct prosecutions at courts-martial, the Summary Appeal Court and the Standing Civilian Court.

Provides advice to UK military personnel (and accompanying dependants) serving outside the United Kingdom when being interviewed by Service police in connection with Service offences and conducting their defence at courts-martial and the Standing Civilian Court.

Instruction on Air-Force law, the law of armed conflict, operational law, humanitarian law and other issues effecting the RAF.

Provides advice outside the United Kingdom to RAF personnel and dependants in connection with their personal legal problems under the terms of the Royal Air Force Legal Assistance Scheme.

Candidates must be qualified as solicitors or barristers with a right of audience in England and Wales or Northern Ireland or as advocates or solicitors in Scotland. Ideally, candidates should have at least two years relevant post qualification experience.

Can be obtained from the:

Directorate of Legal Services (RAF),
Air Command
RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4UE.

Telephone: 01494 497051
Fax: 01494 495601

The Manual of Air Force Law (Eighth Edition) Volume I was published in July 2004. Copies of Volume 1 may be obtained on a repayment basis from DSDC(L) Llangennech, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA14 8YP. The document is also available on this website and can be accessed by clicking on the button "Manual of Air Force Law Vol 1" on the toolbar at the top of the page or the text version below. Volume II is being drafted.