As a Naval Legal Officer, there is probably no better way to experience a wide spectrum of the law in a relatively short time-span. This is because the Navy lives by the laws of the community and by the special laws which govern the Australian Defence Force.

If you are yet to qualify in a specific discipline of Law, the Navy offers you time to decide whilst experiencing and working through the various aspects of Law. Aside from your professional duties, you will also be gaining valuable experience in the welfare and training of personnel under your command.

The Defence Legal Service is responsible for the provision of legal advice and other legal services to the ADF, the Department of Defence and the Ministers on legal matters. The Defence Legal Service is comprised of both service and civilian lawyers. Although most of the civilian lawyers are located in Canberra, the service lawyers are posted around Australia and in some overseas locations.

Navy legal officers contribute to the provision of legal advice specialising in areas of military discipline, military administrative law and international law. Reserve legal officers may also be utilised for their specialist skills in other areas such as commercial law, contracting, industrial relations law, advocacy, family law and defamation. A legal officer's primary duty is to provide legal advice to Command, but in the absence of a conflict of interest, legal officers may also provide legal aid to ADF serving members on a wide range of matters, or legal advice and assistance on matters pertaining to the member's service.