The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) held Legal Workshop in Bahrain between 2 and 5 December 2012.  The aim of the workshop was to introduce lawyers from the Armed Forces of CMF nations around the world to the legal issues that effect CMF units on a daily basis.

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The first Legal Workshop took place within NSA Bahrain. Organised by the CMF Head Legal Adviser Cdr Kara Chadwick RN (centre front)


Lawyers from a number of nations including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Kuwait,  Saudi Arabia, the UK and the USA attended the workshop which consisted of briefings from lawyers and practitioners, as well as scenario discussions.   The lawyers also attended the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (SHADE) conference and other CMF briefs in order to emerse themselves in the operational as well as legal side of this multi-national maritime force.

Commander Kara Chadwick Royal Navy, CMF Legal Adviser, said:

“This pilot course offers great opportunities for lawyers of different nations to learn from
each other.  The hope is that this workshop will become a regular feature of the CMF calendar, bringing our navies and nations closer together by creating a better understanding of the legal challenges that we all face.”‘