The Military Court Service
The Military Court Service provides a criminal court for the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force in the Court Martial, Summary Appeal and Service Civilian Court.
Introduction
The The Military Court Service (MCS) works closely with, but is independent of, the Office of the Judge Advocate General, the Service Prosecuting Authority which is equivalent to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Service chains of command, Service and MOD personnel branches, the National Probation Service, the victim and witness services and military court advocates.
Service Court proceedings are publicised over a two-week assize period. Military Court listings. All hearings are open to the public in exactly the same way as civilian courts, unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge.
Service Court results are now published on a monthly basis. Court Martial Results.
Further information on the Court Martial, Summary Appeal Court and the Service Civilian Court can be found in the Manual of Service Law JSP 830.
Latest COVID messaging from the Military Court Service
People with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and a high temperature or those who do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities should stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result is advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days, which is when they are most infectious.
If you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to attend a hearing, contact the court immediately. The court will consider alternative arrangements and individual requests on a case by case basis.
If you’re at higher risk from COVID-19 and need to attend a hearing, contact the court to let them know so we can keep you safe.
Bulford Military Court Centre - mcs-bul-groupmailbox@mod.gov.uk
Catterick Military Court Centre - cmc-groupmailbox@mod.gov.uk
Organisation
The MCS is independent of the Service chains of command and is staffed by civil servants employed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) working from both court centres.
To ensure independence, the Director MCS is appointed by the Defence Council as the Court Administration Officer (CAO). The CAO has a legislated function to give notice of court proceedings and to specify lay members of the court (equivalent to jury selection).
The Court Martial Appeal Court recently clarified the respective roles of the Judge Advocate and the CAO in relation to the constitution of the Court Martial, concluding that the Judge Advocate’s role is to give direction on the composition category, while the CAO is responsible for specifying individual members. These duties are conducted in accordance with the Armed Forces Act 2006 and related Statutory Instruments.
The CAO is a permanent member of both the Service Justice Board (SJB) and the Service Justice Executive Group (SJEG).
The Director MCS operates from the Bulford Court Centre supported by a Senior Management Team and a Court Administration Unit. Each Court Centre has a dedicated Court Officer who is directly responsible for the management of court proceedings, liaison with the Judiciary and court listings.
The current Director of the Military Court Service is Mr Cleaven Faulkner JP:
Military Court Centres
There are two permanent court centres in the UK. Bulford, Wiltshire and Catterick, North Yorkshire.
Bulford Military Court Centre
Catterick Military Court Centre
Military Court Centre information and images of our court rooms.
Due to the draw down of British Forces Germany, the permanent court centre at Sennelager has been converted for other use but has been retained as a Court Martial location should one be required. MCS have a permanent Court Martial capability at Episkopi, Cyprus.
The court system is entirely portable, with the ability for MCS to convene trials outside of the MCCs anywhere in the UK or elsewhere. The most recent examples have included Nightingale Courts at Tidworth and Catterick and overseas in Cyprus, Germany and Gibraltar.
MCS have invested in the latest Digital Audio Recording (DAR) technology to meet legal compliance for the recording of proceedings. The capability covers both the four fixed courts and two portable recording equipment sets. The Service Courts have the latest Digital Evidential Presentation System and now have the capability to support the pre-recording of evidence from victims of serious sexual assault (Section 28).
The Service Courts have a state-of-the-art case management system called Case Center. This product is the latest version of the Crown Court system, Caselines and has been operational since September 2023. MCS are moving towards completing the last element of its digital transformation program with Board members using laptops to view evidence, via the Case Center Jury Portal, during proceedings.
Procedure
The Deputy Director MCS oversees the delivery of the MCS assize programme. Cases are listed within ‘assize sessions’, held at the Military Court Centres run by MCS staff. However, a particularly lengthy or complex Court Martial or Service Civilian Court case may be listed as a ‘stand-alone’ outside the assize sessions. Where possible the volume of cases is equally split between both Court Centres.
At the listing phase of case management, the Court officer will work with the resident Judge Advocate to appoint a Judge Advocate to each case.
The MCS policy is to list a case for an initial hearing within 42 days after receipt of directional papers from the Service Prosecuting Authority.
Changes to the Court Martial
Legislation has delivered changes to the constitution of a Court Martial board. The changes required the CAO to specify Court Martial boards with at least one man and one woman (so far as is reasonably practicable) and to specify an increase from five lay members to six, for proceedings of a prescribed description. Specification of the OR7 rank from the nominated pool of lay members may now also be permitted under the act.
‘OR7 rank’ means any of the following— chief petty officer, staff corporal, staff sergeant, colour sergeant, Royal Marines, flight sergeant, chief technician.
The Armed Forces (Service Court Rules) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2022
Section 155, Armed Forces Act 2006
The Military Court Service case management system, Case Center (formerly Caselines)
The Military Court Service partners with Thomson Reuters using Case Center. The application streamlines the way the courts prepare, manage, and present digital cases within a centralised cloud-based solution.
The court will manage proceedings by sending and sharing case materials from any device, keeping all parties in sync as they prepare for a hearing. In a hearing, purpose-built presentation tools streamlines proceedings so parties can direct others to the right document in a timely manner.
Appearing as a legal representative in a Military Court
If you are appearing as a legal representative in a Military Court you will need to create a Case Center account using the link below. Please read and understand the application terms and conditions for use and the acceptable use policy before registering.
After you enter your details and the role you will be performing within the Service Justice System you will be registered and ready to be invited to your allocated cases.
Register - Thomson Reuters Case Center
Once you have been verified by the Military Court Service either directly with the court, or with the Armed Forces Criminal legal Aid Authority, you will be invited to the case. This process mirrors that applied by the Ministry of Justice in the use for the Digital Case System (DCS).
Court Martial and Summary Appeal Court Guidance
Guides are issued under the authority of the Judge Advocate General and the Director of the Military Court Service jointly as an aid to those who practise in the Service Justice System, and it is to be used in all hearings. Volume 1 provides information about procedure generally and it deals with all types of proceedings in the Court Martial as well as in the Summary Appeal Court. Volume 2 provides information specifically for members of boards.
Guidance on practice, procedure and sentencing is issued by the Judge Advocate General.
Apply for a transcript of a Service Court hearing
Service Court hearings are always recorded. You can apply for a transcript of a Service Court hearing. The court can refuse to provide part or all of a transcript (for example, if details of the hearing are confidential).
If you wish to apply for a transcript you may download and fill in a .
Once completed, email your application to mcs-group@mod.gov.uk.
Transcripts may attract a financial cost unless you are a party to proceedings.
Other Judicial Forms
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Remote observation of Service Court proceedings
Open justice has been a fundamental principle for centuries. The principle is a broad one, but at its core has always been a right of access to a public hearing. Historically, this has meant access for reporters and other members of the public to the court or other room in which the hearing takes place.
The primary legislation is contained in section 85A of the Courts Act 2003 as inserted by section 198 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The regime is implemented by the Remote Observation and Recording (Courts and Tribunals) Regulations 2022. The power is to “direct that images or sounds of the proceedings be transmitted electronically”. It is to be exercised “for the purpose of enabling persons not taking part in the proceedings to watch or listen to” them. It is not designed for those taking part in the proceedings.
Any person wishing to make an application to the Military Court Service to request permission for the remote observation of a hearing can do so:
Applicants must ensure the court are given at least 3 clear working days to process applications.
Military Court Service Remote Observation Application
Practice guidance:
Military Court Service Strategic Plan
The MCS’s primary role is to deliver a criminal court service for the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and in so doing, works to protect and advance the principles of justice with people’s needs and expectations at its heart.
The Service Justice System is an essential public service, relied upon by hundreds of victims and families (subject to either Service law or Service discipline), across our country and elsewhere to deliver justice outcomes that matter to them.
The decision to have a tri-Service court service with the associated ongoing support mechanisms further underlines the need to ensure the MCS has an established, integrated, and coherent strategy that will both deliver the required outputs and collaborative working arrangements.
These steps will allow the organisation to modernise, where necessary mobilise, and transform itself to be fit for purpose for the future challenges in the administration of Service Justice.
The MCS must ensure collaborative alignment with all other areas of the Service Justice System. The delivery and management of the MCS strategy seeks to create a culture of continuous service improvement and modernise court processes. The plan calls for the MCS to embrace new ways of working with technology-based systems that focus on enhancing efficiency, reducing duplicity and bureaucracy, and having platforms that directly link with partners and stakeholders to deliver a fully integrated digital case management system.
This MCS Strategic Plan is designed to highlight the relevant objectives, goals, challenges, and associated programmes across the MCS that will contribute to the continuous improvement of the organisation, its structure, processes, and culture. The integrated elements of the MCS strategy will seek to deliver core business improvement aims, develop people, invest in infrastructure, and create a vision for how the MCS will operate in the years to come.
Vision
To provide high quality services to manage the journey of the victim, witness, and defendant through the court process of the Service Justice System.
MCS will deliver this by providing a truly Independent and Impartial service.
The MCS’s key objectives are:
- Promotion of modern, fair, effective, and efficient administration of the Service Justice System.
- Achievement of best value for money.
- Continuous improvement of performance and efficiency across all aspects of the military courts’ work.
- Collaboration with the full range of Service Justice System stakeholders to improve the service provided to all those required to participate in court proceedings.
- Creation of greater confidence in, and respect for, the Service Justice System.
- Achievement of excellence as an employer.
Principal tasks
The Military Court Service is to:
- Co-ordinate, administer and provide support to all court proceedings notified by the Court Administration Officer.
- Specify such members of courts as required by law.
- Maintain a detailed and secure statistical, budgetary, and documentary record of all relevant activities.
- Support as necessary the work of the Service Justice Board and Service Justice Executive Group, which were created to write and implement policy with the aim of directing service justice in the future.
- Seek to encourage awareness of, and confidence in, the Service Justice System within the services, Ministry of Defence and wider public.
- Contribute as appropriate to the internal and external training of Service and civilian personnel involved with the Service Justice System.
The MCS strategy can be expressed by mapping three areas of focus: people, systems and processes, and buildings against those things that we know people want and need when they come into contact with the service courts.
1. The right number of trained people in whom we invest properly, and whose outstanding commitment we value and build on.
- Strive to retain and deploy our expertise so that we can run a high quality service for our users and drive transformational change.
2. Modern systems and processes, underpinned with the latest technology
- Manage performance across both court centres and respond quickly to address any performance dips.
- Roll out and deliver improved technology based systems and new ways of working in both court centres.
- Increase the capacity and capability of the courts whilst delivering an improved service for users.
3. Maintain and develop our buildings and settings to suit our new ways of working and security requirements
- Make visible and tangible improvements to court buildings by improving the way we deliver day to day maintenance, deliver enhanced security, and support our IT applications through our facilities contracts.
Contact details
Court Administration Unit
Email: mcs-group@mod.gov.uk
Court Administration Unit
Military Court Service
Wing Road
Ward Barracks
BULFORD
Wiltshire
SP4 9NA
Telephone: 01980 672071
Bulford Military Court Centre
Email: mcs-bul-groupmailbox@mod.gov.uk
Bulford Military Court Centre
Vimy Crescent
BULFORD
Wiltshire
SP4 9FS
Telephone: 01980 673271 or 07971 895036
Navigate to the Bulford MCC public entrance
Bulford MCC public entrance
Catterick Military Court Centre
Email: cmc-groupmailbox@mod.gov.uk
Catterick Military Court Centre
Piave Lines
Leyburn Road
CATTERICK
North Yorkshire
DL9 3LE
Telephone: 01748 874547 or 07917 698415
Navigate to the Catterick MCC public entrance
Catterick MCC public entrance
Court Martial Report Service
Email: mcs-cmrs-group@mod.gov.uk
Court Martial Report Service
Military Court Centre
Wing Road
Ward Barracks
BULFORD
Wiltshire
SP4 9NA
Telephone: 01980 672822
Related information
Updates to this page
Last updated 16 October 2024 + show all updates
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Updated: Catterick Military Court Centre telephone number.
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Update to appearing as a legal representative in a Military Court section and upload of the case center terms and conditions of use and acceptable use of policy.
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Updated: information about court martial boards, the Military Court Service case management system and Court Martial and Summary Appeal Court Guides.
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Two forms added to section 'Other Judicial Forms' to cover new Section 28 capability for the Service Justice System.
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Updated Court Martial appeal documents under 'Organisation'.
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Updated webpage with latest information on the service justice system under 'Organisation', 'Procedures' and 'Changes to the Court Martial'. Added 'Tri-Service Court Martial Boards'.
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Updated: 'Court Martial and Summary Appeal Court Guide Vol 2'.
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Court Guides volumes 1 and 2 updated.
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Added: Military Court Service update to Service Justice Executive Group June 2023.
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Updated: Transcript request form.
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Added MCS Staged Direction application form.
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'MCS Final Witness Table' updated.
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Added contact information for Bulford and Catterick Military Court Centres.
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Case Center registration link added.
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Section added: Military Court Service adopt Case Center (formerly Caselines). Updated form: Written indication of a Guilty Plea.
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Updated: Director of the Military Court Service biography. Added: Military Court Service update to SJEG March 2023.
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Added: Biography of the Director Military Court Service.
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Updated information on the time required for the court to process Section 85A applications.
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Added: 'Military Court Service update to SJEG September 2022 (PDF)'.
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Added guidance on the Judge Advocate General and images of court centres.
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Notice covering information about recent changes to Court Martial legislation.
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Information on service court results updated
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Added court centre maps, court specific COVID guidance and updated court guides.
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Added: link to Military court centre webpage. COVID information updated.
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Removal of out of date protocol guides: 'Protocol for e-bundles in the service justice system (SJS)', 'Protocol for digital case files in the service justice system (SJS)' and 'Practise Guidance -REMOTE OBSERVATION OF HEARINGS'.
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Removal of COVID Guidance as content is no longer accurate MCS Policy and requires updating. Addition of updated Court Martial guides. Updates to Court Martial text relating to recent technology advances
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Added new section, 'Open justice: remote observation of hearings - new powers'.
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Updated contact number for Catterick Military Court Centre.
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Updated 'Transcript request form'.
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Updated Transcript request form.
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Improved the layout of the webpage.
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Addition of form to request a transcript.
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COVID-19 guidance section updated.
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Update of page summary, organisation, procedure and protocol.
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Addition of message from the Judge Advocate General and COVID-19 guidance.
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Addition of link to "Revised plan for Military Court Centres after lifting of lockdown restrictions on 19 July 2021".
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Addition of: Bulford and Catterick Court Procedures during COVID-19 announcement.
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Addition of: Message from the Judge Advocate General dated 11 January 2021.
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Added Message from the Judge Advocate General dated 5 November 2020.
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Added: Message from the Judge Advocate General dated 02 November 2020: New COVID-19 restrictions for England and updated content.
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Renamed 'Service courts at Bulford and Catterick sentencing by zoom protocol' to 'Protocol on COVID procedures in the service courts'.
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Updated the service courts at Bulford and Catterick sentencing by zoom protocol document.
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Added: protocols in the service justice system.
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Addition of: Service courts at Bulford and Catterick sentencing by zoom protocol.
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Updated the information under the 'Organisation' heading.
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Added the COVID-19 health and safety protocol for Catterick and Bulford Military Court Centre.
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Updated the Coronavirus announcement as at 1 May 2020 and added the Announcement from Office of the Judge Advocate General dated 1 May 20 with plan to re-open Service Courts document.
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Updated the Coronavirus update for the 2 April 2020.
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Updated the Coronavirus notice about future court proceedings.
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Added the Service Justice System: Operating during the Coronavirus Pandemic information.
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Updated added by hearings taking place during March and April 2020.
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Updated the contact details section.
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Updated the content as the MCS HQ has now moved.
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First published.