Counsel to the Navy Department, Ministry of Defence
The Counsel to the Navy Department, Ministry of Defence originally called Counsel to the Navy Board was an appointed legal adviser to the Royal Navy from 1673 to 1995. History. The office was originally established in 1673 when the post holder was assigned to the Navy Board only. In 1696 the office holders duties were expanded and he was authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Admiralty as well. The office was abolished in 1679, as a result of cost saving measures being undertaken in regard to cutting excessive naval  expenditures. In 1696 the office was reestablished and in 1824 it was merged with the office of the Judge Advocate of the Fleet. In 1832 the Navy Board was abolished and its previous functions were absorbed into the Admiralty the office holders title then changed to Counsel to the Admiralty until 1964 when the Department of Admiralty was absorbed into the Ministry of Defence where it became the Navy Department until 2008. From 1824 the individual appointed held both offices and titles of Judge Advocate of the Fleet and Counsel concurrently until 1995 when it was abolished. The office holder  superintended the Office of the Solicitor to the Admiralty. Counsel to the Navy Board. Included: Counsel for the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy. Included: Counsel to the Admiralty. Note: The office holder in some editions of the official British navy list is styled as Counsel to the Naval Department.