Defence Counsel Services

Contact for immediate legal advice

A CAF member (or a civilian subject to the CSD) arrested or under investigation may call duty counsel 24 hours a day.

For non-urgent matters, please call during regular business hours of 9am to 5pm Eastern (Ottawa) time.

Canada/USA

Outside Canada or the US

 

What DCS does

DCS provides legal advice and/or legal representation to CAF members (or civilians subject to the CSD) who are likely to be charged, have been charged, or will be tried for a service offence under the CSD. There is no cost for advice or representation from DCS.

DCS also provides free legal advice of a general nature to CAF members who are under investigation for or have been charged with a service infraction.

Services provided by DCS

DCS provides independent legal services, in a solicitor-client relationship, including:

Summary Hearings

If you are charged with a service infraction (for example: using public property without authorization, being tardy to a place of duty, or being impaired by a drug or alcohol), you may be tried by a summary hearing. Summary hearings are less formal than courts martial proceedings and issue sanctions, rather than sentences, designed to return an accused CAF member to service as soon as possible.

To promote procedural fairness at summary hearings, we provide legal advice of a general nature. Primarily, we provide information about how to:

DCS may not represent an accused at a summary hearing but can provide limited legal advice and information.

Courts Martial

If you are charged with an offence (for example: assault, disobeying a lawful command, or insubordination), you may be tried by court martial. There are two types of courts martial: General Courts Martial and Standing Courts Martial. Both types of courts martial are presided by a military judge, but General Courts Martial involve a panel of CAF members. General Courts Martial and Standing Courts martial generally impose more severe consequences than summary hearings. You could also receive a criminal record from a conviction at court martial.

To promote procedural fairness and access to justice at courts martial, we provide legal advice and counsel from the moment you request representation from DCS until we have achieved the best possible outcome for the specific circumstances of your case. In your defence, we would generally:

Appeals

Appeals of a court martial may be heard before the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and further, to the Supreme Court of Canada. Legal services and representation for appeals are available free of charge if approved by the Appeal Committee. When appropriate, DCS may make an application with recommendations to the Appeal Committee to appeal a conviction or a sentence. The Appeal Committee will approve an appeal if there is a reasonable chance of success and that it is important for the administration of military justice.

Contact DCS

Mailing:

Defence Counsel Services
National Defence Headquarters
101 Colonel By Dr
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K2

Courier Services Address:

Defence Counsel Services
Block 2600, Asticou Centre
241 Cité-des-Jeunes Blvd
Gatineau, QC
J8Y 6L2

Admin Assistant

Phone : 819-994-0258

Positional mailbox:

jag.ddcsadmin-admindsad@forces.gc.ca 

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