Defence Legal

Military Law Centre

Role

The Military Law Centre (MLC) was established by Defence Legal in January 2000 to take responsibility for the co-ordination, formulation and delivery of legal training for the professional development of legal officers in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The role of the MLC has since expanded to take into account the legal training needs of the broader ADF. The MLC also forms the ‘military node’ of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law. The MLC is located at Victoria Barracks, Paddington in Sydney, Australia.

The mission of the MLC is to contribute to the success of the ADF through the provision of high quality military legal training. The vision of the MLC is to be known and recognised at home, in the region and by other military forces as a quality provider of professional, innovative and contemporary training to military legal practitioners, ADF members and support staff.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the MLC include to:

• Develop and coordinate the delivery of various Legal Training Modules for the professional development of ADF legal officers
• Develop and coordinate the delivery of pre-command legal training to Commanding Officer designates in all three Services of the ADF
• Develop and coordinate delivery of certification for legal officers to provide sustained legal support on operations
• Manage ADF military justice training policy
• Provide assistance in the development and delivery of military law training across the ADF
• Organise conferences and workshops on current legal issues.

Legal Training Modules (LTMs)

All ADF legal officers, which includes both permanent and reserve legal officers, are required to complete LTMs for career progression.

LTM1 Courses in 2020

Course	Course Dates	Closing Date for Nominations	Panel Published
LTM1	30 Mar - 09 Apr 20	31 Jan 20	17 Feb 20

Completion of LTM1 Consolidation Tasks is also required prior to being able to commence LTM2. Information regarding the LTM1 Consolidation Tasks can be found on the LTM1 Consolidation Tasks Page

LTM2 Courses in 2020

Course	Course Dates	Closing Date for Nominations	Panel Published
LTM2 Military Operations Law	02 - 06 Mar 20	20 Jan 20	03 Feb 20
LTM2 Military Administrative Law	25 - 29 May 20	30 Mar 20	14 Apr 20
LTM2 Military Discipline Law	31 Aug - 04 Sep 20	06 Jul 20	20 Jul 20
LTM2 Military Legal Practice	30 Nov - 04 Dec 20	05 Oct 20	19 Oct 20

LTM3 Courses in 2020

Course	Course Dates	Closing Date for Nominations	Panel Published
LTM3 Advanced Military Administative Law	26 - 30 Oct 20	17 Aug 20	14 Sep 20
LTM3 Elective Courses	Various	Various	Minimum 10 weeks prior to commencement of course

Enrolment in LTM Courses. To be eligible to enrol in any LTM course, a legal officer must be a member of the Legal Officers’ Specialist Officer Career Structure (LOSOCS) and be at the appropriate Legal Level. More information on the LOSOCS Policy and becoming part of the LOSOCS can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/Legal/CareerManagement/

To nominate for an LTM1 course, please complete the MLC LTM1 Course Nomination Form and send electronically to the MLC as instructed on the form.

To nominate for LTM2 and LTM3, please complete the LTM 2 and LTM 3 Course Nomination Form and send electronically to the MLC as instructed on the form.

More information on the courses offered by the Australian National University and the University of Adelaide can be found on their websites: The Australian National University Law Faculty and University of Adelaide Law School.

MLC Training Handbook

All legal officers from Legal Levels 1 to 3, and their supervisors, should read the MLC Legal Officer Training Handbook. The Handbook outlines military legal training available for legal officers in the ADF, including policy and administrative matters concerning such training.

Regrade from LL4 to LL5

ADF Legal Officers intending to regrade from LL4 to LL5 are required to complete CPDC approved management training course/s.

For specific course requirements and the empanelment process please Email: MLC.admin@defence.gov.au.

Inquiry Officer Courses

Calls for nomination for the Military Law Centre’s Inquiry Officer course are released via DEFGRAM. For further information, please contact your service inquiry office, of the military Law Centre.

Inquiry Officer Courses in 2020

Calls for nomination for the Military Law Centre’s Inquiry Officer course are released via DEFGRAM. For further information, please contact the Military Law Centre.

Closing Date for Nominations	Panel Published
18 - 21 Feb 20	TBC
06 - 09 Oct 20	TBC

Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law (APCML)

The mission of the collaborative Defence and University of Melbourne Law School Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law (APCML) is to promote greater understanding of, and increased respect for, the rule of law in all aspects of military affairs within the Australian Defence context and with military forces throughout the Asia-Pacific Region.

The vision of the APCML is to lead the world in research, teaching and engagement on rule of law issues that affect Australian, regional and global military affairs.

More information on the APCML can be found on its website at http://www.apcml.org/.

Contact Details

Military Law Centre
Victoria Barracks, Building 113
Oxford Street
Paddington 2021
Phone: +61 2 8335 5627, +61 2 8335 5635,
Fax: +61 2 8335 5634

Email: MLC.admin@defence.gov.au