Current Documents

Today’s Military Commissions operate in accordance with the following documents.
The Manual for Military Commissions (2012) was promulgated by the U.S. Secretary of Defense under the MCA. It contains rules of procedure and evidence applicable to trials by military commission. The 2012 Manual replaced the 2010 Manual.
The Military Commissions Trial Judiciary Rules of Court dated April 24, 2013, contains instructions for lawyers and accused practicing before military commissions.
The Military Commissions Act of 2009, Public Law 111-84, (the MCA) is the law passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama on October 28, 2009, that authorizes the President of the United States to establish military commissions.  It defines who may be tried by military commission and for what crimes. It lays out the basic rights an accused is entitled to and outlines procedures for conducting commissions. The 2009 MCA replaced the Military Commissions Act of 2006.
The Regulation for Trial by Military Commission (2011) is promulgated by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. It identifies policies and procedures for operating military commissions, including the operations of the United States Court of Military Commission Review.
The United States Court of Military Commission Review (USCMCR) Revised Rules of Practice contains instructions for lawyers practicing before the USCMCR.

The Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) implements the Uniform Code of Military Justice, governing trial by court-martial