THE Governor General has reappointed the Hon Justice Len Roberts Smith as the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Australian Defence Force for a further two years.
The Chief Justice, the Hon David K. Malcolm AC, said the initial and subsequent reappointment were a tribute to Justice Roberts Smith and to the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Justice Roberts Smith, who holds the rank of Major General, was acting Judge Advocate General from 3 October 2001 until he was appointed to the position on 6 June 2002 for a three year term.
The JAG's functions include making rules of procedure for service tribunals, recommending lawyers for appointment as Judge Advocates, appointing Defence Force Magistrates, nominating Army, Navy or Air Force officers for appointment to particular courts martial, providing the final legal review of proceedings of Service tribunals and making an annual report to the Minister for Defence on the operation of the Defence Force Discipline Act and related legislation, for presentation to Federal Parliament.
Justice Roberts Smith is the first West Australian to be appointed to this significant position. His time in office continues to be one of historical change to the Australian military discipline system.
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