New Director of Service Prosecutions.

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HLWS1079

New Director of Service Prosecutions.

Statement made on 20 November 2025

Statement UIN HLWS1079

Statement made by

Lord Coaker

Minister of State, Ministry of Defence

Labour

Life peer

Lords

Statement

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Louise Sandher-Jones) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Under section 364 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 the Director of Service Prosecutions is appointed by His Majesty the King. The term of the current incumbent, Jonathan Rees KC, came to an end on 31 October 2025.
I can inform the House that His Majesty has appointed Mary Cowe to succeed Mr Rees as the next independent Director of Service Prosecutions. Ms Cowe has practised from Guildhall Chambers Bristol since 2006, prosecuting and defending serious criminal allegations of violence, sexual abuse and fraud.
I should also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr Rees who has served as Director for the last five years and worked hard with other Service Justice System stakeholders to improve the processes by which cases are built and brought to trial, whilst maintaining the necessary independence of prosecutorial decision-making. His efforts have ensured that the Authority has retained its position as an independent and respected prosecuting body which has underpinned the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
As he hands over his responsibilities to Ms Cowe, I would like to express my personal gratitude for the important contribution he has made.

Statement from

Ministry of Defence