The fonds consists primarily of textual records. Each appeal file usually contains the minutes of the proceedings of the disciplinary or general court martial. Typically, the minutes of proceedings include an index or table of contents of the proceedings governing the trial, the names of witnesses (including their rank if they are military) and the supporting exhibits submitted. Questions asked during the deliberations are numbered sequentially. There is also the indictment describing one or more of the charges against the person and any amendments, if any, to the order of summons before the disciplinary or general court martial and information about the assembly of the Court. Courts martial whose decisions were appealed to the Council were held at Canadian military installations in Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Italy and in the field in the Republic of Korea. A statement of appeal form, completed by the offender, is attached to the minutes of proceedings. Some records include a supplementary statement of appeal. The exhibits submitted as evidence at courts martial are varied. There are certificates, affidavits, declarations, reports and arrest warrants. Inventory reports, requisition and delivery notes, inventory control and maintenance records and work orders provide information on federally owned furniture and equipment. Financial records include invoices, sales contracts, delivery notes, claims for benefits and payroll, banking and accounting records. Personal information about the accused person and his or her military service record was usually submitted as evidence. These include personal and training assessments, employment and medical records, conduct reports, service records, classification and fitness reports, promotion recommendations and statements about the person's character and specific service record. Other evidence includes administrative, operational and standing orders, directives, attendance lists, duty rosters and permissions. There are also diaries, notebooks and logs. Other evidence of alleged offences includes photographs, hydrographic and other maps, architectural drawings and sketches. Items submitted as evidence, such as clothing, equipment and weapons, are described by descriptive text or photographs.
The records created by the Court Martial Appeal Board consist of grounds of appeal, notices of hearing, adjournments of hearing, motions and abandonments of appeal. They also contain applications for summary judgment, and the opinions of individual designated members. Correspondence and memoranda relate to individual files. The reasons for judgment contain the decision as to whether the appeal was granted or not by the Board and the decision regarding conviction and sentence. The fonds contains a list of appeal files, showing dates, names of appointed members of the Council, counsel and judgments rendered, for 1959. There is also a list of files forwarded by the Office of the Judge Advocate General to the Council for review for the period 1952 to 1955, including cases heard, appeals dismissed and appeals abandoned. Finally, there are lists of files dated September 1951 to January 1956 that were submitted for summary judgment because the appellants had formally or informally abandoned their appeals or had not been heard.
Claim forms, accounting vouchers and correspondence contain information on financial compensation awarded to members of the Council and the Registrar. Categories of payment include annual interim allowances and per diems. Expenses for attending Board meetings and hearings include travel costs, reimbursable travel expenses, and accommodation expenses. The fonds also includes oaths of office and allegiance taken by members.
The fonds also contains the Court Martial Appeal Board Rules of Procedure (1954) and amendments, as well as United Kingdom Acts and Regulations (1916-1920) relating to military service and exemption from service.
Finally, there is a docket book used by the Court Martial Appeal Board.
