Swords in courts-martial

1897 pattern British infantry officer's sword, regulation sword for officers of the line infantry of the British Army since 1897.

The usage of swords in courts-martial was an established tradition within the British armed forces. The accused was marched into their court-martial by an escort armed with a sword. Commissioned officers would be obliged to put their swords on the court table as a symbol of their rank and reputation being put on hold.[1] At the conclusion of the hearing, the tip of the sword was turned towards them if they had been found guilty. The practice was abolished in 2004 following a claim that it was demeaning under the Human Rights Act 1998.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference tele was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Barton, Mark (2013). British Naval Swords and Swordsmanship. Seaforth Publishers. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-1848321359.