It has been argued that soldiers accused of cowardice were often not given fair trials; they were often not properly defended, and some were minors. Other sources contend that military law, being based on Roman rather than Common law, appears unfamiliar to civilian eyes but is no less fair.
There are arguments suggesting that soldiers charged with cowardice rarely received fair hearings; they frequently lacked proper legal representation, and many were underage. Additionally, other sources maintain that military law, based on Roman rather than Common law, may appear strange to civilians but remains equally fair.