Temporary rule of a designated area by military authorities in time of emergency when the civil authorities are deemed unable to function.
Under martial law, civil rights are usually suspended, and the activities of civil courts are restricted or supplanted entirely by military tribunals. Such "acts done by necessity" are limited only by international law and the conventions of civilized warfare. Though temporary in theory, a state of martial law may in fact continue indefinitely. See also human rights ; war crime s.