The Assistant SJA, Civil Law controls Civil Law Branch of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Supported by one or more additional judge advocates, paralegals, and civilian support staff, Civil Law provides timely and accurate legal advice concerning all civil matters affecting Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The Civil Law Section assists the CO and his staff, and subordinate commanders, but does not provide legal advice to individuals concerning their personal affairs; that is the province of the legal assistance office or, as appropriate, military defense counsel.

In addition to a wide variety of civil matters, the Civil Law Section also provides advice concerning criminal prosecutions by civilian authorities. The officers and staff assigned to the Civil Law Branch respond to legal issues affecting the decisions of the CO.

Upon receipt of a request for a legal opinion, a legal brief or memorandum is prepared for review and signature of the SJA, unless Civil Law is authorized to respond directly to the requesting party.

The Civil Law Branch houses a library of reference materials and past legal memoranda. Questions answered in this section commonly involve matters concerning ethics of Federal employees and contractors, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Act (PA), installation law (e.g., jurisdiction, fundraising and solicitation, and private organizations), use of Federal resources by private organizations, claims and investigations, litigation for and against the United States, and constitutional law.

Legal advice often includes statutory and regulatory interpretation as well as case analysis. Civil Law reviews litigation report investigations and conducts and in-depth legal analysis of case law to determine government liability and to assist the U.S. Attorneys Office in defending the government in federal court.

The Civil Law Branch also supervises the Civil Process Section which effects liaison with civil authorities in order to provide efficient arrest and service of civil process upon military personnel located aboard the installation. The Civil Process Section responds to subpoenas for official government information and extradition of service members.