irst hearings listed within 42 days, legal aid and representation checks conducted in advance, ‘exemplar’ portable court arrangements, and effective communication with lawyers, probation and judges. These are some of the features of the largely invisible Military Court Service revealed in an inspection report today.
Anthony Rogers, chief inspector for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the Military Court Service’s work often goes unseen but ‘is fundamental to deliver fair and effective justice for those who serve’.
The CPS inspectorate was invited to inspect the service, which provides a criminal court for the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force in the Court Martial, Summary Appeal and Service Civilian Court.
Today’s report reveals that in 2025-26, 96% of plea and trial preparation hearings were listed within 42 days of receipt and 95% of those hearings were effective. The inspection found that routine legal aid and representation checks are conducted 21 days before the hearing to identify any issues that might affect the case’s progress. Court staff monitor compliance with directions, send reminders, chase outstanding actions and refer matters back to the judge for further case management if necessary. Only one trial is listed at a time.
Inspectors hailed the service’s courtroom and portable court technology as ‘an exemplar that the civilian justice system should aspire to’.
