Legal Officer

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PAY DURING TRAINING

The RAF's mission and outputs give rise to a variety of legal matters. RAF Legal Officers draw upon a uniquely diverse range of legal sources and skills to deliver effective and operationally focused legal services to the RAF and Defence.

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Already applied? See what the next steps in the application process are below.

As an Officer within the RAF, your contribution might include:

• Advising military commanders and staff on domestic and international law, including on the law of armed conflict
• Advising on military law, air law, space law, employment law, and health and safety law
• Developing and assisting with the drafting of legislation relating to the Armed Forces
• Undertaking defence and/or prosecution advocacy at the Court Martial, the Service Civilian Court and the Summary Appeal Court
• Advising Commanding Officers in relation to criminal and discipline proceedings, including investigations, custody, and pre-charge and post-charge actions
• Advising the RAF and wider Defence in relation to matters governed by the Armed Forces Act 2006 and other legal sources specific to the Armed Forces, including the Service Complaint process and Terms of Service
• Acting as a Legal Adviser to service inquiry panels

Requirements at a glance

• Be aged 24 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
• You will need to meet specific Nationality and Residency criteria. Please see full details in the Entry Requirements section below
• You must be either a member of the Bar of England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and have completed pupillage, or be a solicitor admitted to the Roll of England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Applications from legal executives will not be processed.
• Commit to a minimum 6 years service
• Pass a fitness test
• If you require more information please contact the Legal Team here

Applicants must have completed their professional/educational qualifications.The maximum age to apply is 47 as candidates must attest by their 48th birthday.

Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.

CAREER, TRAINING & EDUCATION

At any level or position your personal success is vital to make us succeed too. We are dedicated to your future, as it is essential to ours. You will receive basic and specialist training in your field and we even provide the option to pay for your education. The experience you gain with the RAF will equip you to work at the top of your field, both in the UK and overseas.

01

Phase one training

Initial Training

12 weeks

RAF Cranwell

01

Phase one training

Initial Training 12 weeks RAF Cranwell Like all our Specialist Branch officers, you will begin your RAF career on the Specialist Officers Initial Training Course (SOITC) at the RAF College Cranwell.

02

Phase two training

Specialist training

Ongoing

As assigned

02

Phase two training

Specialist training Ongoing As assigned As a fully qualified solicitor or barrister, you already have the core legal skills you need.

03

First tour

Specialist training

Ongoing

As assigned

03

First tour

Specialist training Ongoing As assigned For your first tour, you could be posted to a Regional Legal Office on a major operational flying station in the UK.

04

Your career prospects

Ongoing

As assigned

04

Your career prospects

Ongoing development Ongoing As assigned You will join the RAF as a Flight Lieutenant on an Initial Commission of 6 years.

05

Ongoing training

Ongoing

As assigned

05

Ongoing development

Ongoing training Ongoing As assigned In accordance with Bar Council or Law Society policy guidance, you will be able to maintain your Continuing Professional Development currency.

06

Ongoing

As assigned

06

Transferable skills

Ongoing development Ongoing As assigned As a Legal Officer in the RAF, you will have all the developmental opportunities and career prospects of your civilian counterparts.

WHY JOIN AS AN OFFICER?

When you become an RAF Officer, your responsibilities start from day one. You’ll be tasked with leading a team, building a sense of camaraderie, and making quick decisions. Become tomorrow’s leader. Start today.

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Joining the RAF takes several steps. Below is an overview of the process. The purpose of this process is for us to gauge whether you’re the right person for the RAF and for you to show us all of your skills and experiences that have made you who you are.

1

Specialist Interview

Stage 1 of 7

Candidates for this role will undertake a Specialist Interview. This will be an in-person interview with the Legal Profession Adviser Team where you will have the opportunity to share your legal knowledge, skills and experience and your professional suitability will be assessed.

The interview will last about an hour and will also provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the RAF or role of Legal Officer.

2

Health Assessment

Stage 2 of 7

You’re legally required to meet certain medical standards, and must pass an occupational health assessment to show you’re fit for military duty. As part of this assessment we will check your overall health, focusing on areas like hearing, eyesight and body mass index.

We’ll also investigate any past illnesses and screen for health issues that may prevent you from carrying out your role. View details belowfor more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet.

3

Fitness Test

Stage 3 of 7

A good level of fitness is critical to joining the RAF, it’s also something that must be maintained throughout your career. You’ll need to complete a Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFC). This will take place at a local gym near to you, and is a 2.4km run.

The performance level you’ll need to meet differs by age and gender. You can also find help, and a training plan, to assist you in your preparation here .

4

OASC

Stage 4 of 7

This will be your second visit to the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre. OASC lasts one day, but you will arrive the day before.During this time the officers will be assessing your leadership, teamwork, communication, motivation, and problem solving.

The day will end with an interview.The first half of the interview coversyour achievements at school and college, in sports, your community, at work, and as a cadet, scout or guide.

The second half explores your motivation for joining the RAF – what you know about current affairs and the RAF’s role in the national and international arena, current operations the RAF is involved in and your knowledge about the RAF and the role you've applied for.

You can watch a video here that explains the OASC selection process in more detail.

5

Stage 5 of 7

This takes place over 2 days and is designed to give you an insight into officer training. You’ll be issued with your initial kit, including your boots, attend lectures, and also repeat the fitness test taken at OASC.

6

Acceptance

Stage 6 of 7

Once you’ve successfully completed each phase of the application process you’ll be invited to a provisional offer of service interview at your nearest AFCO.

This is to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of service in the RAF, are fully committed to joining, and prepared to commence training.

7

Training

Stage 7 of 7

Like all our Specialist Officers, you will begin your RAF career on the Specialist Officers Initial Training Course (SOITC) at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You will follow a course specially designed for professionally qualified entrants. The course includes fitness development, military training and academic study as well as practical outdoor leadership challenges.