Judge Advocate General ( United Kingdom ) In the United Kingdom , the Judge Advocate General and Judge Martial of all the Forces is a judge responsible for the court martial process within the British Army and Royal Air Force . The equivalent post in the Royal Navy was the Judge Advocate of the Fleet though this role is now incorporated within the Judge Advocate General ' s office . Qualifications . The post is regulated by the Courts - Martial ( Appeals ) Act 1951 . The appointment is made by the British Sovereign on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor . Formerly , the Judge Advocate General had to be a barrister , advocate , or solicitor with higher rights of audience , of 10 years ' standing . As of 21 July 2008 the experience needed to qualify was reduced in line with a general move to broaden diversity in the judiciary . An appointee who has practiced in England and Wales now has to satisfy the judicial - appointment eligibility condition on a 7 - year basis , while a practitioner from Scotland or Northern Ireland will need 7 years ' standing as barrister , advocate or solicitor . The post is always held by a civilian rather than a commissioned officer , however an appointee may have previously been a member of the armed forces . A Judge Advocate General can also be appointed from the Vice Judge Advocate General or Assistant Judge Advocate Generals . Role . He is the legal adviser of the Sovereign and of the commander - in - chief in military cases , and by his authority all general courts - martial are held . In his office are deposited the originals of all such proceedings , and on his receipt of them they are examined , and either deposited as correct , or communicated upon , or submitted by the Judge Advocate General to Her Majesty for royal approval , or for pardon , or revision , as , in the opinion of this officer , the case may require . He is assisted by civilians who are his permanent staff . There is a total of ten , comprising one Vice Judge Advocate General ( must be a barrister or advocate of seven years standing , or a deputy judge advocate ) , 6 Assistant Judge Advocates General ( must be a barrister or advocate of seven years standing , or a deputy judge advocate ) , 2 Deputy Judge Advocates ( must be a barrister or advocate of five years standing ) . These provide advice to accused and prosecution , and sum up the evidence for the Court . Defendants are entitled to a defending officer , and to civilian counsel if they so wish . The British Army and the RAF have similar arrangements , and the same Judge Advocate General . In the 1990s significant changes to the courts martial system were instigated following European Court of Human Rights judgements . The Director of Army Legal Services , a major - general , advises the army on all legal matters . His staff are officers of the Army Legal Services Branch of the Adjutant - General ' s Corps . They number 110 , including 20 short service captains . There are ten in the Territorial Army . The head of the RAF Legal Branch , is an Air Vice Marshal , who advises the RAF on all legal matters . His staff are officers of the Legal Branch . They number around 40 including 10 Flight Lieutenants . The office was for many years a political one , the holder resigning on a change of ministry . The Judge Advocate General was made subordinate to the Lord Chancellor , and since 1951 has been appointed on his recommendation . List of Judge Advocates General . " Down to 1847 the dates are those of actual entrance upon office , not of the appointment , which is usually a few days earlier ; or of the patent , commonly some days later than those adopted in this list . After 1847 the dates are those of the " Gazette " notices of the appointment . " Includes material from : Haydn ' s " Book of Dignities " , 12th ed . ( 1894 ; reprinted 1969 ) See also . United States Canada