The purpose of a separate system of military tribunals is to allow the Armed Forces to deal with matters that pertain directly to the discipline, efficiency and morale of the military.

Although the Canadian Armed Forces in a few situations provides legal counsel to Members in need of assistance, often legal services are not covered, and at other times Members may prefer to retain outside counsel. 

Our law firm fights for the rights of CF Members anywhere in Canada and around the world, be they part of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Airforce, or in other elements of the CF or Department of National Defence. 

The firm’s military lawyer has knowledge of the special challenges CF Members, Veterans and their families face, and can equally assist with administrative, civil, family or criminal law matters. 

 By way of general information only, things military are governed by the federal government in Canada, and regulated by the National Defence Act. The men and women who serve this sometimes great country are governed by the King’s Regulations and Orders, Volumes I -IV. There are also dozens of other Defence Directives and Orders (DAOD), rules and many policy documents. Policies are not the law and may be challenged. Where a soldier has a disciplinary or criminal charge, most matters are dealt with within the Canadian Forces, with either a summary trial, or, for certain offences a court martial. A court martial has a military Judge alone, or, for some offences a Judge with a military member panel. 

As a former Judge Advocate General lawyer, with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, I have been in front of several courts martials and I am ready to help you in French or English. Things that are not criminal or disciplinary, such as pay, injuries, leave, and grievances have INTERNAL processes and bureaucracies within the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. 

Ultimately, if these issues are not resolved internally , you can take them to the Federal Court of Canada, and failing that, to the federal Court of Appeal. I have worked in front of both federal Courts and am ready to assist you. In any legal matter – military included – it’s important that you discuss timings, and a budget with your lawyer. Have an idea, long-term and purse-wise, as to what you are getting yourself into. The government’s pockets are often deeper than yours.When you get your quote from you lawyer, ask yourself: Will these legal fees outweigh the benefits that I stand to gain?If the answer is “Yes,” then I suggest you may ask yourself the same question again tomorrow; see if you come up with the same answer. 

Statutory decision-makers in the Canadian Armed Forces exercise a broad range of duties, powers, and functions that affect every aspect of a CF member’s service and career. Our team of experienced lawyers can offer invaluable assistance in navigating these significant and complex statutory regimes, including

• Judicial Review of decisions by statutory decision-makers in the Canadian Forces or whose decisions affect veterans or members of the Canadian Forces (including final determinations by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board under the Pension Act and Veterans Well-being Act)
• the Code of Service Discipline at summary trial or court martial
• Grievances, Military Police complaints and other complaints processes

• Charter rights and human rights relating to members of the Canadian Forces
• Compensation and benefits under the National Defence Act
• Benefits under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act
• Application of the Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces (QR&O), Defence Administrative Orders and Directives (DAOD), and related Canadian Forces Orders and Directives

• Charter rights and human rights relating to members of the Canadian Forces
• Compensation and benefits under the National Defence Act
• Benefits under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act
• Application of the Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces (QR&O), Defence Administrative Orders and Directives (DAOD), and related Canadian Forces Orders and Directives

• Boards of Inquiry, Summary Investigations and other administrative investigations
• The application of other federal, and provincial, laws to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces