the laws of the territory are based on the territorial constitution set out in the british indian ocean territory (constitution) order 2004, which gives the commissioner full powers to make laws for the territory. if the commissioner has not made a law on a particular topic then, in most circumstances, the laws that apply in the biot are the same as those that apply in england under the terms of the courts ordinance 1983. however, since almost all residents of the biot are members of the united states military, in practice crimes are more commonly charged under united states military law.