Air Vice-Marshal Alison Mardell
LLM MA RAF
The Director of Legal Services is the principal legal adviser to the Chief of the Air Staff and Air Force Board and is invited to attend the Air Force Board Standing Committee to provide a legal perspective.
Details
Air Vice-Marshal Alison Mardell was appointed Director of Legal Services in 2017.
She qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and was commissioned into the Directorate of Legal Services (RAF) in 1997.
She developed her operational law credentials as a Flight Lieutenant becoming the legal adviser to the HQ Joint Force Air Component, culminating with her deployment in 2003 as the first RAF lawyer into theatre during Operation TELIC 1 in Iraq, providing legal advice to the UK Joint Air Component Commander.
She then became the first legal adviser to the Air Warfare Centre, obtained an LLM degree in International Law from Bristol University and an MA in Defence Studies from King’s College London, the latter whilst on the Advanced Command and Staff Course at Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham.
Prior to her appointment as Director of Legal Services (RAF) in 2017, she was appointed as Deputy Director of Legal Services (RAF) in 2014. Her previous role was as Group Captain Command Legal Adviser, responsible for providing legal advice to HQ Air Command on a myriad of legal issues including negligence and risk analysis, administrative law, military aviation law and international and operational law. She has championed the development of a cadre of RAF lawyers capable of advising on legal issues surrounding the novel areas of the military use of space and cyber.
Her hobbies include spinning and gardening.
Career history
1994 – Qualified solicitor
1997 – Commissioned into the Directorate of Legal Services (RAF)
2003 – Bristol University
Graduated with LLM in International Law
2009 – King’s College London
Graduated with MA in Defence Studies
2010 – Promoted to Group Captain
2014 – Promoted to Air Commodore
And appointed as Deputy Director of Legal Services
2017 – Promoted to Air Vice-Marshal
And appointed Director of Legal Services
Honours
2012 – HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
2012 – Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
2003 – Iraq Medal without clasp
2002 – HM The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal