COMDTINST 5801.4H governs the management and direction of the Coast Guard Legal Assistance Program and its delivery of legal support.
View COMDTINST 5801.4H on armypubs.army.mil
It addresses eligibility, service priorities, services provided, limitations, professional responsibility, training, technology tools, and Law Manager case tracking. It requires legal assistance matters to be tracked in Law Manager and establishes conflict-checking and data-collection practices.
Applies to: The provisions in this Instruction apply to all personnel providing or receiving Coast Guard legal assistance.
Eligibility for such legal assistance will begin on the date of the release from active duty and continue for a period of time equal to twice the length of the period served on active duty under that call or order to active duty.
Services cannot be provided under Reference (a) to civilian employees, except as discussed in Paragraph 11.a.(9), or to members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary whether or not acting under official orders, except for civil notary services, which may be provided.
Coast Guard military personnel who need legal assistance due to the nature of their assigned duties have the highest priority for services.
Each legal assistance office must have a system to identify potential conflicts of interest among clients.
Command Directors of Legal Assistance and LAAs are required to use Law Manager to track all legal assistance matters. (paragraph 1)