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ADJUTANT GENERAL’S CORPS
25th ANNIVERSARY
Services has adapted and developed
to provide advice in a range of areas
within the operational sphere as well as
assisting in the development of doctrine
and policy.

In the early 2000s, it was apparent
that the Army Legal Services needed
a bespoke Operational Law capability
– and thus in 2003 the Operational
Law Branch was created. Headed by a
Brigadier, the Branch was to provide
advice and training to the Army, both
Major General G Risius CB
prior to deployment and on operations Major General S K Ridge
itself. Since its inception in 2003,
and since 2003, a separate Operational lawyers have been deployed to Northern This service will now draw down by the
Law Branch (which incorporated Legal Ireland, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, end of 2018, when finally the Army
Assistance). Georgia, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq, Legal Aid office in Bielefeld closes its
and Kuwait. doors for the final time. This office
Service Prosecuting Following operations in Afghanistan has provided invaluable assistance to
Authority and Iraq, British forces came under service personnel, with the assistance of

unprecedented legal scrutiny (a term German legal advisors, many of whom
The main purpose of the Armed Forces some would describe as ‘lawfare’), have given years of valuable service.
Act 2006, was to establish the Service further increasing the technical
Prosecuting Authority, which would demands of Army Legal Services Advisory
ultimately combine the existing single lawyers and the requirement from the
service systems. The Service Prosecuting Chain of Command for legal support Despite the growth of Operational
Authority was formed on the 1st prior to and during operations. Law, the largest designation of posts
January 2009 (with the incorporation falls under the Advisory pillar. Under
of the Navy Prosecution Authority, Legal Assistance Head Advisory, Army Legal Services
Army Prosecuting Authority and Royal Officers advise on all aspects of military
Air Force Prosecuting Authority). The The provision of Army Legal Assistance and administrative law, including
first civilian Director of the Prosecution has always been an important aspect Employment Law, Service Complaints,
Service was Mr Bruce Houlder QC, of Army Legal Services capability, Service Inquiries, discipline and
who was succeeded by the Director, providing legal advice and assistance administrative action.
Mr Andrew Cayley CMG QC, (a to serving soldiers where they cannot
former ALS officer and distinguished obtain the same because they are Advisory officers assist the chain of
war crimes prosecutor). Although the deployed (including Northern Ireland). command with all legal aspects of their
Service Prosecuting Authority started work. They also conduct training in
life at Royal Air Force Uxbridge, its military law and prepare military law
headquarters is now at Royal Air Force publications to support and assist the
Northolt. chain of command.

Operational Law Army Legal Services Today

Since 1993, the largest growth area in Having reached its numerical peak
Army Legal Services ‘business’ has been of around 135 officers, the present
in the operational law arena. It is fair to day numbers around one hundred,
say that since 1993, the role and level which includes the Director (Major
of inclusion of lawyers on operational General Susan Ridge), two Brigadiers,
tasks has changed beyond recognition. ten Colonels, twenty five Lieutenant
The legal aspect of operations has Colonels, thirty five Majors and twenty
grown in importance and Army Legal Major General M D Conway CB five Captains; ably augmented by
twelve reserve officers.

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