In conflicts throughout the world, military justice fulfils two vital functions. First and foremost, it acts as one of the principal mechanisms to maintain discipline within the armed forces by harshly punishing soldierly misconduct. Secondly, it serves as an instrument of military power in occupied territories by adjudicating the crimes of enemy belligerents and local inhabitants. In the former role, agents of the courts martial system can significantly impact the incidence, routinisation and escalation of violence by soldiers in wartime situations. In the latter, the imposition of martial law and the punishment of occupied peoples and enemy nationals by military courts can constitute a form of violence in itself. Accordingly, an historical examination of the principles, structure and application of military justice can offer important insights into war crimes and atrocities that are still valid in the conflict zones of our world today.

This conference brings together scholars specialising in military justice from a wide range of historical and geographical contexts to discuss conceptual, legal, institutional and practical aspects of the exercise of legal and judicial authority by armed forces. While the primary aim is to deepen our knowledge of the agents, institutions and practices involved in dispensing military justice in the modern era (i.e. mid-nineteenth century through 1945), a secondary objective will be to consider the role of military justice as a driver of violence.

Conference Programme

This is a hybrid event.

To attend in person (spaces limited), please register via the following link: https://forms.gle/oVqUtyV24wXaCHCP7

To attend via Cisco Webex, please register via the following link: https://forms.gle/aPENTR9tg9Umi2eD8

Access details will be provided upon registration.

Registration for this event will close on 21 July 2022.