Historical rulebook. Rules of Practice and Procedure
Rule 1. Governing authority
The Judge Advocate General administers the Corps within authority granted by governing law. These rules do not enlarge that authority or displace court independence, governing law, or a controlling decision.
Permanent referenceRule 2. Leadership and delegation
The Deputy Judge Advocate General supports Corps administration and acts within a recorded delegation. Each Assistant Judge Advocate General leads the respective staffed service office and handles service matters within assigned authority. Delegations must identify their scope; an office title alone does not create unrestricted access to every case.
Permanent referenceRule 3. Service coverage
The Corps serves the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, including joint matters where jurisdiction exists. Army and Navy offices are presently staffed. Matters from other services must be referred for an express assignment rather than treated as automatically belonging to a staffed office.
Permanent referenceRule 4. Military-lawyer certification
An applicant must contact Corps leadership for the current application route, training materials, assessment, and certifying authority. Certification requires a recorded approval under standards adopted by leadership. A portal account, case assignment, or informal promise does not establish certification. Any proposed requirements remain proposals until approved and published.
Permanent referenceRule 5. Professional duties
Personnel must act honestly, protect entrusted records, meet reasonable deadlines, and treat parties and witnesses with respect. Counsel must distinguish a client’s lawful interests from personal or command preferences. No person may fabricate evidence, conceal a material conflict, or knowingly misstate the record.
Permanent referenceRule 6. Conflicts and independence
A participant must promptly disclose a personal interest or prior involvement that could materially impair fair performance. A conflicted judge or reviewer must step aside. Leadership must assign a qualified alternate; if the Judge Advocate General is conflicted, review must pass to an unconflicted authority permitted by governing law. Administrative supervision does not authorize private direction of a judicial result.
Permanent referenceRule 7. Assignments and permissions
The clerk or authorized case administrator records appointments and assigns the minimum access needed for the work. Filing and management permissions are separate. Restricted documents require explicit access. Access must be removed when an assignment ends or an account is no longer authorized.
Permanent referenceRule 8. Records and publication
The clerk maintains the docket, hearings, filed documents, exhibits, and material rulings. Private case content must not be copied into a public register without authorized review and necessary redaction. An upload receipt confirms receipt only. Records must not be silently rewritten to alter a case’s history.
Permanent referenceRule 9. Complaints and corrective action
A concern about conduct, a conflict, or an administrative error should be raised with the appropriate unconflicted supervisor. The person concerned must receive notice and an opportunity to answer before an adverse professional determination, except for temporary protective restrictions supported by a documented urgent need. Judicial errors should ordinarily be addressed through review rather than personnel pressure.
Permanent referenceRule 10. Temporary status and amendments
These rules are a temporary website edition pending formal adoption or replacement. Leadership should record approved amendments, their effective date, and transitional treatment of pending matters. A change should not retroactively deprive a party of a fair opportunity to act.
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