CBS News and the Associated Press reported today that lawyers carrying heavy law books are traveling with the American and British troops in Iraq in case the U.S. decides to impose martial law in Iraq.

Via Jurist's Paper Chase, you can find a detailed "explication" of rules and regulations to be applied in territories under the military jurisdiction of the US Army, in Chapter 6 of US Army Field Manual 27-10, The Law of Land Warfare, Occupation. We're going to study it for a while as we haven't read it before. As a sample, here's what it says about treatment of detainees (section 446.)

Protected persons accused of offences shall be detained in the occupied country, and if convicted they shall serve their sentences therein. They shall, if possible, be separated from other detainees and shall enjoy conditions of food and hygiene which will be sufficient to keep them in good health, and which will be at least equal to those obtaining in prisons in the occupied country.

They shall receive the medical attention required by their state of health.

They shall also have the right to receive any spiritual assistance which they may require.

Women shall be confined in separate quarters and shall be under the direct supervision of women.

Proper regard shall be paid to the special treatment due to minors.

Protected persons who are detained shall have the right to be visited by delegates of the Protecting Power and of the International Committee of the Red Cross, in accordance with the provisions of Article 143.

Such persons shall have the right to receive at least one relief parcel monthly. (GC, art. 76.)