Working Papers: NSW Reserve Naval Legal Panel History

Abstract

This paper celebrates 40 years since the formation of the New South Wales Reserve Naval Legal Panel. Following the HMAS Voyager Royal Commission, the Naval Reserve Legal Branch was created to provide sound and experienced legal advice to the RAN. Since its inception, the Panel has increased in size, and has provided Judge (and Deputy Judge) Advocates-General; naval judges, prosecutors and defending officers; counsel presiding over, assisting or involved in boards of inquiry; and advisers on international, criminal, administrative and indeed most other branches of the law. It has advised all ranks from sailors to Chiefs of the Defence Force. Its role has expanded, but its importance has not diminished.

This brief, selective collection of memoirs brings together the recollections of Panel Leaders Street, Cole, Callaghan and Slattery, as well as Emeritus Professor Shearer. Their stories display how law in the RAN and the legal service itself has evolved over time.

Availability

This volume is available in hard copy free of charge; please contact the SPC-A for a copy.