text: Chapter 4
  complexity of the issues involved, need for documentation, and desirability of providing a hearing for persons
  whose conduct is being investigated when deciding which type of investigation to conduct. They also advise
  on the release of information pertaining to safety or mishap investigations in accordance with AR 385-10.
  4-6. Administrative law attorneys are sometimes appointed in writing to perform duties as ethics advisors
  to assist in implementing and administering the command’s or organization’s ethics program. This includes
  filing financial disclosure forms, even in a deployed environment. They also provide ethics advice in
  accordance with DODD 5500.07.
  4-7. Paralegal NCOs, Soldiers, and civilian paraprofessionals support judge advocates and civilian
  attorneys in reviewing documents, to include AR 735-5 financial liability assessments, AR 15-6
  investigations, and other administrative law matters. Additionally, they prepare necessary documentation
  related to these and other matters. Paralegal NCOs and Soldiers ensure that all actions are tracked, processed,
  and filed to ensure the prompt and efficient delivery of services to the commander and staff.
  CIVIL LAW
  4-8. The practice of civil law includes specialized areas of the law that are concerned with statutes and
  regulations that apply across all agencies of the Federal government and are not simply internal to the Army
  or DOD. The practice of civil law also includes matters that are subject to civil litigation in various forums.
  Some specific areas of the law that fall into this category include environmental law, the law of federal
  employment, federal litigation, and intellectual property law. Civil law attorneys provide legal advice on
  non-uniformed personnel supporting military operations, labor law, civilian personnel law, real property use
  and disputes, and environmental law. Paralegal NCOs and Soldiers support judge advocates and civilian
  attorneys in the review of documents, including Freedom of Information Act requests, subpoenas, other
  documents related to civil litigation, and documents processed for release to ensure compliance with the
  Privacy Act. Additionally, they track, process, and file all actions to ensure the prompt and efficient delivery
  of services to the commander and staff.
  ARMY INSTITUTIONAL CLAIMS
  4-9. Although the legal function of Soldier and Family legal services includes personnel claims or claims
  by Soldiers and Department of the Army (DA) Civilians, claims by third parties against the Army or
  affirmative claims, now called Army institutional claims, belong to the core competency of legal support to
  the Army. The division of claims between two legal functions is necessary under the core competency
  construct, but the actual work of processing and adjudicating Army institutional claims is executed by the
  same division of the OSJA in garrison. During large-scale combat operations, the administrative law legal
  function includesperformance of foreign claims to support operations.(See Chapter 5 for more information
  on legal support to Soldiers and Families.)
  4-10. The Army claims program investigates, processes, adjudicates, and settles certain claims worldwide
  on behalf of and against the United States. This program works under the authority conferred by statutes,
  regulations, international, and interagency agreements, and DOD directives. The Army claims program
  supports commanders by facilitating successful operations and promoting good will with local populations.
  In short, this program provides compensation for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage caused
  by Army or DOD personnel.
  4-11. Army institutional claims fall into three categories: torts alleged against Army or DOD personnel,
  claims for personal injury or property damage caused by noncombat military operations,and claims by the
  United States for injury of Army personnel or their dependents or for the damage or destruction of Army
  property.
  4-12. TJAG supervises the Army claims program and settles claims in accordance with delegated authority
  from the Secretary of the Army. The United States Army Claims Service (USARCS) administers the Army
  claims program and designates area claims offices, claims processing offices, claims attorneys, and foreign
  claims commissions. SJAs and other supervisory judge advocates operate each command’s claims program,
  and they supervise the area claims office or claims processing office designated by USARCS for the
  command. Area claims offices and claims processing offices are the claims offices at Army installations that
  normally investigate, process, adjudicate, and settle claims against the United States. These offices also