Court Martial Solicitors

If you’re accused of breaking service law while serving in the military, you may face a trial in the Court Martial. Our specialist Court Martial solicitors can support you through the investigation and interviews, as well as represent you in Court Martial hearings.

Court Martial legal help

If you’re serving in the military, you’re governed by military law. The Court Martial is a military court for hearing serious charges against any member of the armed forces. This includes all branches of the regular army, navy and air force, as well as territorial and reserve forces.

You may have to attend Court Martial if the offence is too serious for your commanding officer to deal with.

You will also attend this court if you are an officer yourself, or if you request it - which you have a right to do, no matter your rank.

This Court handles serious offences like:

Assisting the enemy
Misconduct on operations
Mutiny
Desertion
Rape
Murder.

The right person for the job

We’ve got military law experts with decades of experience on our team. We can allocate one for you, or you can request a lawyer of your choice.

Andrew Buckham

National Head of Military - Partner

Find out more

Find your solicitor

Andrew Buckham

National Head of Military - Partner

Find out more

Get help, faster

Fill out our form and you will get a callback within 24-48 hours.

Making an enquiry

We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.

Complete our online form
We need a few details to understand your situation and the kind of support you need.
We’ll contact you by phone
On the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointment
Your next step is an in-depth appointment with a specialist solicitor to discuss how we could advise you.

Get in touch

Frequently Asked Questions

What can happen in a Court Martial trial?

The Court Martial is run by a Judge Advocate and a ‘board’. This is a kind of jury, made up of commissioned officers or Warrant officers. They’ll vote on whether they think you are guilty or not.

If you are found guilty, the Judge and board will work together to decide on sentencing. Possible sentences can include:

Imprisonment in a civilian prison
Detention at the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester
Dismissal from the armed services
An unlimited fine.

This can be a scary and distressing situation. But no matter your offence, you have a right to representation - having a barrister by your side in hearings, and help with minimising your sentence if you are found guilty.

If you believe you have been falsely accused, we can investigate this and gather evidence to defend you.

Whatever your situation, we can prepare you for every stage of the investigation - and work tirelessly towards the best possible outcome.

How can I fund my case?

You can get legal aid and criminal legal aid through the Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority (AFCLAA).

Applying for legal aid doesn’t stop you choosing your own solicitor. But you might be asked to pay part of your legal fees to supplement the legal aid.

If legal aid isn’t available to you, or you can’t afford to pay legal aid contributions, talk to us about other options for funding your case privately.

Our commitment to you

Our experts always start by listening, so we understand what matters most from day one.

01
Clear legal guidance
You will always get straightforward, honest advice, with regular updates to keep you clear on the way forward.
02
Specialist knowledge
A wide-ranging team of trusted specialists who understand what it takes to protect your future, your family or your business.
03
Your needs first
Whether you’re navigating complex personal situations or business decisions, we take the time to understand your world and what’s at stake.