A new chapter in the administration of military justice was launched yesterday with the formal opening of the new Military Court Centre in Sennelager by the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Baroness Scotland QC.

In a glittering ceremony, Baroness Scotland declared the new Court Centre open when she unveiled a plaque watched by numerous British, German  and US guests and hosts, including Judge Jeff Blackett, the Judge Advocate General and Judge Michael Hunter, the Vice JAG, and senior members of the German building authorities. [below]

Commenting on the significance of the new facility, the Attorney General said: “I am delighted, as Her Majesty’s Attorney General, to be able to declare this new Court Centre open. This is both an honour and a privilege – it is a splendid building. I pay tribute to all those British and German staff who have worked so hard to bring this project to fruition, whether the planning, designing or construction of it. It is a reminder of the powerful union that exists between our two countries and the importance of the rule of law. The court process is all about people, as well as buildings, and all those who have played a part should be rightly proud”.  

Welcoming Baroness Scotland, Major General Nick Caplin, General Officer Commanding United Kingdom Support Command, praised the quality of the building and stressed the importance of the new Centre for military justice.

He said: “Those who enter its doors will know will know by its stature that it is an important building – one in which critical work is conducted. To that end, the quality of its construction and attention to detail will serve to impress this significance on our community.”

The General added: “The British Army often had to rely on converted barrack accommodation to house our courts.  Recently, the MOD, recognising the effect of legislative change stemming from international and European law, determined that a new approach was necessary; it was decided to fund the building of four court centres including this one in Germany. It is important that everyone in the British military community in Germany, and all who attend this court centre, are left in no doubt about how seriously the British military manages its discipline within the law, including that of the host nation. This court centre is a very obvious symbol of that commitment.”  

Major General Caplin also paid tribute to Project Manager, Major (Retired) Frank Burman, and Iain Wiggins of Defence Estates, as well as Senior Court Officer Germany, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Gordon Guest, for their contributions, and not least all the British and German craftsmen involved.
 
The new, purpose-built, UK-funded, state of the art building replaces British Forces Germany’s four existing court martial centres, which had poor layout and cramped facilities, with a purpose built centre that could support all trials and hearings conducted above unit level, improving operational efficiency and effective of the Military Court Service in Germany.

The new Court Centre, which has been delivered ahead of schedule and within budget, was built by the German construction agency, Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (BLB) and is a flagship project for the German OFD (Oberfinanzdirektion). It is an impressive 88 Metres long und 30 Metres wide.  Building work began in October 2007, being fully completed last month ahead of schedule, and under budget at some €4.9M.  

Commenting on the success of the building project, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Guest said: “This sets an important standard for the conduct of military discipline and demonstrates how seriously it is taken. If we don’t have that, then we don’t have functioning Armed Services – the gallant deeds of our people on operations are based on discipline.

This is the central court for the whole of British Forces Germany, dealing with every kind of crime from start to finish. We can look after those involved from start to finish, including feeding them.  We have a probation service, and are now leading on video conferencing technology – witnesses can give evidence from as far afield as Canada or even on operations. They no longer have to travel long distances or be taken off ops. It is a simply wonderful facility”.

Following the formal opening ceremony, a giant ‘Key of the Door’ was presented to Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Guest by Herr Willi Weiffen, BLB Project Manager, on behalf of the German agencies involved in the project. [below]

During her visit, Baroness Scotland was also given a short tour of Sennelager Camp and shown round the purpose-designed facilities at the new Court Centre. To round off the visit, she was hosted to a superb buffet lunch prepared by Royal Logistic Corps chefs, demonstrating the prowess they exhibited during the recent Army catering competition “Rhino Caterer”. 

Musical entertainment was provided by the Band of the Adjutant General’s Corps, led by Captain Ian Johnson. [below]