Strategic Joint Staff Legal Advisor :::  

The Strategic Joint Staff Legal Advisor is responsible for the provision of legal advice to the Strategic Joint Staff.

The SJS is responsible for providing military analysis and decision support to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in his role as the principal military advisor to the Government of Canada, and enables the CDS to effect strategic command of the Canadian Forces.

In support of the SJS’ role, the SJS Legal Advisor participates as an integral part of the Strategic Staff Advisory Team (SSAT).

The legal support provided through their participation in the SSAT allows the SJS to enable the CDS’ planning, initiation, direction, synchronization and control of CF operations at the strategic level.

The SJS Legal Advisor supports the Strategic Joint Staff by advising on all matters of military law which impact on the strategic planning and authorization and direction of both domestic and international operations.

These operations as diverse as maritime security operations, security support to law enforcement agencies for special events such as the Olympics or international summits, the defence of North America, the conduct of global stability and security operations, non-combatant evacuation and humanitarian assistance operations.

Specifically, the SJS Legal Advisor is involved in the strategic legal review of domestic and international legal authorities that support the planning, approval and conduct of CF operations in Canada and abroad.

Working collaboratively with legal advisors from Canada Command, Canadian Special Operations Command, Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command and the Canadian Operational Support Command, the SJS Legal Advisor provides advice to the Strategic Joint Staff on the Strategic Operations Planning Process and is routinely called upon to review CDS instructions, operational orders, rules of engagement and directives which support CF domestic and international operations.

The SJS Legal Advisor also provides advice to the SJS on non-operational matters including military justice and administrative law when issues arise.

The legal support provided by the SJS Legal Advisor ensures that the Strategic Joint Staff is well equipped to address the legal issues that affect current and future domestic and international CF operations.

The high level of familiarity with the legal considerations that underpin operational planning ensures that the SJS Legal Advisor is well positioned to provide legal advice to strategic decision makers in the CF.