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STARTING PAY
£47,680
+ BENEFITS
Law in the RAF addresses the rules and regulations of the organisation, society at large and the international community. As an RAF Legal Officer, you will have a wide variety of legal challenges linked to the force and will play a central role in ensuring that we function smoothly.
Already applied? See what the next steps are >
What will you do?
You’ll be addressing the rules and regulations of the organisation, society at large and the international community, playing a central role in ensuring the RAF functions smoothly within these frameworks. In your role you will:
- Advise military commanders and staff in national, coalition and allied environments on domestic and international humanitarian law
- Advise in military law, air law, employment law, European law, health and safety and environmental law
- Development and drafting of legislation in relation to the Armed Forces
- Acting as Legal Adviser to service inquiry panels in relation to their investigations
- Advocacy for the defence or prosecution at Courts Martial, Service Civilian Courts and Summary Appeal Courts
- Advising both military police and commanders in relation to criminal investigations, evidence gathering, interviewing, and pre- and post-change custody
- Advising personnel of all ranks on the Armed Forces Act 2006 and the procedures and regulations that apply to the RAF and wider defence
- Providing legal training across the full breath of ranks and branches of the RAF
Minimum Education Requirements
- 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.
- In addition, applicants will ideally have two years PQE in a relevant area of law.
- Applicants from legal executives will not be processed.
- You must also have GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5's at a minimum grade of C in English Language and Mathematics.
Requirements
- Be aged 24 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
- Be a citizen of the UK or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/ other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen (with ‘right to work’ immigration status) since birth
- Commit to a minimum 6 years service
- Pass the Defence Aptitude Test
- Pass a fitness test
- If you require more information please contact the Legal Team here
View all entry requirements >
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
13 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Read more
06
Transferrable skills
Ongoing training
Ongoing
As assigned
As a Legal Officer in the RAF, you will have all the developmental opportunities and career prospects of your civilian counterparts.
Read more
WHY JOIN
THE RAF?
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
Rent from £75p/m
Free gym
Subsidised food
Health care
World travel
Training
View all benefits
WHAT HAPPENS
AFTER APPLYING
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
Filter interview
Stage 1 of 7
Selection interviews help us get to know you a little better – and vice versa. You’ll get to show your skills and experience, and we’ll answer any questions you have about joining the RAF.
The first of these interviews happens online and covers the following topics:
- Family life
- Education
- Work experience
- Special interests or hobbies
- Interest in the RAF.
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 below for 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 (PJFT). This will take place at a local gym, and includes a 2.4km run, push up test and a sit-up test.
The performance level you’ll need to meet differs by age and gender. Please refer to the entry requirements below for more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet. 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 first 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 covers your 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.
5
Familiarisation visit
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
(M)IOT and officer staff training
The Modular Initial Officer Training Course (MIOTC) has been designed to set commissioning officers up for their career in the RAF with the right skills and knowledge. This training will provide a solid platform for your continued development.
Visit our Cranwell training page for more information about (M)IOT and the rest of officer training.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be aged 24–47* (Must attest before 48th birthday)
Have a full UK driving license
- Applications from older candidates, especially those with previous commissioned service and/or relevant experience, may be considered on their merits, see below.
Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Have these minimum grades:
GCSE pre–2017
GCSE 2017 Onwards
Scottish National 5
Mathematics
C
Grade 4
C
English Language
C
Grade 4
C
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 older candidates, especially those with previous commissioned service and/or relevant experience, may be considered on their merits as follows:
Older candidates with more than 4 years post qualification experience (PQE) will be referred to the Directorate of Legal Services (RAF) for consideration.
Older candidates with less than 4 years PQE, but who have more than 2 years PQE, have a strong academic record (e.g. A levels at grade A or B plus a 2:1 bachelor’s degree or better) will also be referred to DLS (RAF) for consideration.
A full UK driving license will be required.
Once you have successfully been commissioned into the Directorate of Legal Services (RAF) you will have to undertake and pass Developed Vetting periodically throughout your career, this will enable you to complete all duties of an RAF Legal Officer.
For more information please contact the Legal Team here: Air-DLS-RecruitingTeam@mod.gov.uk
You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.
NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
BACKGROUND CHECKS
DISQUALIFYING FACTORS
If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.
APPLY
NOW
Got what it takes? Start your application here.
