Overview
As a member of the military, Legal Officers deliver legal services in the fields of operational law, international law, training, military personnel law, and military justice.
The primary responsibilities of a Legal Officer include:
- Providing advice on international and domestic law to the commander of a deployed force
- Providing general legal advice and services to the commanding officer of a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Base
- Providing advice on operational legal issues at National Defence Headquarters
- Representing clients at Court Martial and appearing before the Court Martial Appeal Court
- Representing the interests of the CAF and the Department of National Defence (DND) as:
- A member of a Canadian delegation negotiating international treaties
- A member of the military liaison staff at an allied headquarters
- Delivering training on military law and military justice
Work environment
Legal Officers are members of the Legal Branch of the CAF. This branch is commanded by the Judge Advocate General (JAG) that acts as legal adviser to the Governor General, the Minister of National Defence, the DND and the CAF in matters relating to military law and administers military justice in the CAF.
The Office of the JAG provides the military justice system with military judges, prosecution and defence counsel. A Legal Officer may also work at the Office of the DND/CAF Legal Adviser, working in such areas as legislative drafting, pensions, claims and administrative law. A Legal Officer could also be appointed to the military bench, to serve in the independent Office of the Chief Military Judge.
If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.