What constitutes a military tribunal varies according to nation and sometimes even military branch and regional jurisdiction. In most cases, however, a military tribunal is defined by three traits: It operates outside the scope of conventional criminal and civil matters, several military officials serve as judges, and judges also fulfill the roles of jurors (this last factor is naturally only relevant in regions where judges do not already serve this function). Tribunals tend to be executed with some degree of secrecy in excess of that afforded to regular inquiries and trials.

See Also

• Military commission
• Military rule