Understanding and managing legal risk is critical to protect Defence. Legal risks arise when actions or decisions expose Defence to potential legal consequences, whether through non-compliance, disputes or regulatory breaches. Unchecked, these risks can lead to financial penalties, reputational damage and operational setbacks.
The Defence Legal Risk Guidance provides clear, practical steps to assist Defence personnel to identify, assess and report legal risks before they escalate.
The guidance will help the reader understand:
- what constitutes a legal risk
- the consequences of not considering legal risks before making a decision
- how to recognise warning signs
- the correct procedure for reporting concerns to Defence Legal.
Whether a Defence Official is dealing with contracts, compliance issues, personnel cases or workplace policies, this guidance enables the reader to respond to legal risks confidently and responsibly.
Taking a proactive approach to legal risk helps protect both Defence and Defence personnel with decision-making responsibilities.
Resources