The Association of Military Court Advocates (AMCA) - a body for practitioners who prosecute or defend in military courts and tribunals - was launched this week.

The AMCA was formed in response to concerns raised by the Military Court Service that there was no representative body of practitioners with whom it could communicate. The association aims to promote dialogue with the various services agencies, including the service, to exchange ideas and improve standards.


Justin Hugheston-Roberts, partner at Wolverhampton firm Rose, Williams & Partners, and secretary of the newly formed group, said he had been concerned for some time there was a risk that standards in the military courts system were slipping.


'The soldiers, sailors and airmen were not always getting the best, something that they should not only expect but demand,' he explained.


Mr Hugheston-Roberts said he hoped the AMCA would champion excellence in the military courts and provide the benchmark for work.