When are accused service members entitled to a defense advocate?

In the context of military law, the entitlement to a defense advocate depends on the nature of the proceedings and the specific jurisdiction.

• Summary or Disciplinary Procedures: Service members are generally not entitled to a defense advocate when being dealt with summarily or through disciplinary procedures that are not classified as judicial actions, though some nations, such as the Netherlands, have introduced this right.1
• Courts-Martial: In trials before military courts, all countries permit the accused to be assisted by an advocate, and in some jurisdictions, this representation is compulsory.1
• Timing of Representation: The stage at which a defender may intervene varies by country. In some systems, an advocate may assist immediately following the first interrogation once the accused is informed of their rights, and they must be present during subsequent investigative steps like the interrogation of the accused. In other jurisdictions, such as Greece, the defender does not participate in the investigative phase and appears only at the trial.1

All countries permit the employment of qualified civilian lawyers, and in some instances, such as in Greece, the defense may be conducted by family or friends.1