LEX MILITARIS

-+-

FROM THE ROYAL WAR OFFICE
ISSUED AND CONFIRMED BY HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, FREDERICK I, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1876

INTRODUCTION

The War Office hereby announces the creation of a military legislation reform. This military legislation is to stand as a tool of ensuring order and discipline within the militaries of the Kingdom of Oren. Any and all soldiers who bear arms in defense of the Kingdom and under the King’s Colours, both enlisted and commissioned alike,  are to be held accountable to the military legislation and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly in harmony with said legislation. 

AUTHORITY 

The military law, henceforth referred to as the Lex Militaris, is to be exercised and applied upon the militaries of the Kingdom of Oren under the direct supervision of the individual militaries of the armed forces. Although the judicial power to punish and discipline lies within the authority of the individual military in which the Lex Militaris was breached, there exist certain scenarios of breaches where the War Office is summoned to overview the military judicial process. These scenarios are;

I.

A military tribunal against an Officer bearing the commissioned rank of Captain or higher

II.

A military tribunal against a Soldier with the potential punishment of Execution

III.

A scenario in which laws of not only military but also civil nature are broken

Furthermore, after a verdict was decided through a military tribunal the accused Soldier may appeal to the War Office if it is their opinion that the verdict given is unfair and unjust. Following this appeal against the verdict, the War Office may investigate and overview the military tribunal and either dismiss or reaffirm the given punishment.

MILITARY TRIBUNALS & PROCEDURE

After a soldier of His Royal Majesty’s Armed Forces is accused of a breach of the Lex Militaris, it is the duty of the Commanding Officers of said soldier to organize a military tribunal to determine the soldier’s guilt regarding the offenses brought against them.

This aforementioned military and judicial duty falls to the soldiers of the rank of Sergeant and above. In addition to this, it is the duty of the Officer who organized the military tribunal to also hold said trial as well as to determine the guilt and punishment of the soldier accused. 

Following the military tribunals organization, it is to be held in a military area and during the organization the accused may select a fellow soldier to act as their attorney. Simultaneously, the organizing Officer is to be considered as the de-facto judge of the tribunal, as well as the de-facto prosecution. After these roles have been explained to the accused, the tribunal is declared in session, unless one of the three aforementioned scenarios is in effect. Following this, the evidence from both parties may be brought forth as well as potential witnesses. After said evidence and witnesses have been examined and questioned, the guilt is to be determined by the organizing Officer.

After having the guilt determined or the innocence proven, the verdict is decided and given in accordance to the severity of the breach committed. This verdict is then to be directly carried out, unless the accused soldier wishes to appeal said verdict to the War Office for further investigation. This verdict is to be in accordance with the breach committed and may range from a simple flogging all the way to an execution.

MILITARY LEGISLATION

The military Legislation, also known as the Lex Militaris, is to be applied to all soldiers of the Kingdom of Oren equally and does not care for rank, title or name. Furthermore, the Lex Militaris is to be divided into 3 different legal Books and then subdivided amongst articles.

BOOK I, Common breaches

§1, Insubordination; When a soldier does not follow an order given by a superior soldier. 

§2, Malingering; When a soldier acts as if ill in any way or form in order to not fulfill their assigned duties.

§3, Disrespect; When a soldier shows undue behavior before a superior. 

§4, Negligence; When a soldier does not fulfill their assigned duty given by a superior.

§5, Minor Incompetence; When a soldier fulfills their assigned duty given by a superior in a non satisfactory or diligent way. 

§6, Looting; When a soldier, without order from a superior, loots from enemy military or civilian installations. 

§7, Undue Behavior; When a soldier does not act, both on and off-duty, in such a manner as to reflect most favorably on the Legion.

§8, Attempted Assault; When a soldier attempts to attack and injure a civilian or fellow soldier while on duty without being given an order to do so by a superior.

BOOK II, Major breaches

§1, Assault; When a soldier attacks and subsequently injures a civilian or fellow soldier while on duty without being given an order to do so by a superior.

§2, Bribery; When a soldier intentionally accepts any form of gift, payment or further objects of persuasion in order to alter their duty to the Kingdom of Oren in any way, shape or form.

§3, Impersonation; When a soldier intentionally impersonates themselves as a soldier of different rank, both higher and lower. 

§4, Fraternization; When a soldier acts in a friendly and brotherly fashion with an enemy.

§5, Murder; When a soldier takes the life of a civilian or fellow soldier while on duty without being given an order to do so by a superior.

§6, Misconduct; When a soldier does not act accordingly while being held as a Prisoner of War.

§7, Attempted Mutiny; When a soldier attempts to participate or incite a mutiny against the military.

§8, Major Incompetence; When a soldier fulfills their assigned duty given by a superior in a way that other soldiers or civilians have been caused harm to in any way or form.

BOOK III, Severe Breaches

§1, Desertion; When a soldier intentionally leaves their post, duty or assigned task.

§2, Mutiny; When a soldier intentionally participates in a mutiny against the military.

§3, Attempted Treason; When a soldier is found attempting to betray the Kingdom of Oren.

§4, Treason; When a soldier is found betraying the Kingdom of Oren.

§5, Attempted Espionage; When a soldier attempts to conduct any form of active or passive gathering of information against the Kingdom of Oren.

§6, Espionage; When a soldier conducts any form of active or passive gathering of information against the Kingdom of Oren.

        IN NOMINE DEI,

        HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, Frederick I, King of Oren, forever August, King of Renatus, Curon, Kaedrin, Salvus, and Seventis, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Vienne, Helena, Novellen, Sunholdt, Furnestock, Petra, Oltremont, South Arentania, and Lorraine, Count of Mardon, Stassion Castle,  Baron of Renzfeld, Protector of the Heartlanders and Farfolk, etcetera

    THE HONORABLE, Thomas Galbraith, Aide-de-camp of the War Office