Who presides over a Court Martial?
Court-martial Armed Forces Act 2006 establishes the Court Martial as a permanent standing court. Previously courts-martial were convened on an "ad hoc" basis with several traditions, including usage of swords. The Court Martial may try any offence against service law. The Court is made up of a Judge Advocate, and between three and seven (depending on the seriousness of the offence) officers and warrant officers. Rulings on matters of law are made by the Judge Advocate alone, whilst decisions on the facts are made by a majority of the members of the court, not including the Judge Advocate, and decisions on
Court-martial Court-martial A court-martial or court martial (plural "courts-martial" or "courts martial", as "martial" is a postpositive adjective) is a military court or a trial conducted in such a court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment. In addition, courts-martial may be used to try prisoners of war for war crimes. The Geneva Convention requires that POWs who are on trial for war crimes be subject to the same procedures as would be the holding military's own forces. Finally,