Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many legally-qualified staff are employed by his Department as of 14 November 2023.

The Ministry of Defence has of 14 November 2023 86 civilians employed as lawyers or intellectual property-qualified professionals and 211 lawyers - inclusive of 26 Reservists - serving as members of the three Services' legal branches/capbadge who are qualified as lawyers.

There are other staff within the Ministry of Defence who hold academic/professional legal qualifications but are not employed in roles where holding such a qualification is a direct requirement of their appointment/duties and are not, therefore, considered members of its Legal function.