Office of the Judge Advocate of the Fleet | |
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![]() Ensign of theRoyal Navy | |
Department of the Admiralty,Ministry of Defence | |
Member of | Board of Admiralty,Admiralty Board,Navy Board |
Reports to | First Sea Lord |
Nominator | First Lord of the Admiralty,Secretary of State for Defence |
Appointer | Prime Minister Subject to formal approval by theKing-in-Council |
Term length | Not fixed (typically 1–5 years) |
Inaugural holder | Judge Advocate, J. Fowler |
Formation | 1663-2003 |
TheJudge Advocate of the Fleet was an appointed civilianjudge who was responsible for the supervision and superintendence of thecourt martial system in theRoyal Navy from 1663 to 2008.
The position dates to the sixteenth century but was filled on an occasional basis until 1663 when it became a permanent role. Appointments were by Admiralty Order and included an annual stipend worth £146 between 1663 and 1666, and £182 thereafter. From 1824 the Judge Advocate jointly held the office ofCounsel to the Admiralty.[1] later styled as Counsel to the Navy Department, Ministry of Defence. A remunerated position of Deputy Judge Advocate existed from 1668 to 1679, and again from 1684 to 1831.[1]
Until 2004 the Judge Advocate shared responsibility for the naval court martial system with theChief Naval Judge Advocate previously known as the Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet, a legally trained serving navalofficer who was responsible for the appointment of judge advocates. However the Chief Naval Judge Advocate's post was abolished in 2004[2] following a ruling by theEuropean Court of Human Rights that held that, as a serving naval officer, his position was insufficientlyindependent.[3]
The role of Judge Advocate of the Fleet was taken over by theJudge Advocate General from 2004 onwards.[4] It was formally abolished on 31 December 2008 under theArmed Forces Act 2006.[5]