Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

The legislature of Shireroth

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Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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LAWBOOK OF THE IMPERIAL REPUBLIC OF SHIREROTH

Table of contents
  • Chapter 1: On the Lawbook
    • Section A
    Chapter 2:

    Chapter 3: Imperial Judex
    • Section A: Jurisdiction
      Section B: Prosecution of Criminal Offences under Imperial Law
      Section C: Interpretation of the Charter
      Section D: Civil cases and other disputes
      Section E: Where No Provisions
      Section F: Contempt of Court
      Section G: Improper Proceedings
    Chapter 4:

    Chapter 5:

    Chapter 6:

    Chapter 7: People of Shireroth
    • Section A: Citizenship
      Section B: Nobility
      Section C: Noble Titles
      Section D: Noble dignity
      Section E: Denizenship
      Section F: Foreigners
      Section G: Loyal Subjects of the Kaiser
      Section H: Community servant
      Section I: Protected Person of the Kaiser
    Chapter 8: Adelsraad and Folksraad
    • Section A: Advisory Bodies
      Section B: Folksraad
      Section C: Adelsraad
    Chapter 9: Code of Elections
    • Section A: Electoral Rights of Citizens and Denizens
      Section B: Imperial Electoral Authority
      Section C: Code of Electoral Conduct.
      Section D: Appeals.
      Section E:
EDIT TRACKER:
- Edited to reflect changes to the Ministries under the Imperial Ministries Emergency Corrective Action Bill. (Janus Eadric, Praetor)
- Edited per request to change the name of Elwynn. (Janus Eadric, Praetor)
- Edited to reflect the secession of Kildare, secession of Aryasht, demotion of Yardistan, incorporation of Neridia. (Janus Eadric, Praetor)
- Chapter 4 Edited in accordance with Motion to remove Chapter 4 of the Lawbook. (Mira Raynora Major, Praetor)
- Edited to reflect the dissolution of Neridia. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the addition of Chapter 5 of the Lawbook. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the revision of Chapter 3 of the Lawbook. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the change of the official long-form name of Goldshire. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the revision of Chapter 2 of the Lawbook. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the revision of the Martial Code of Shireroth. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)

- Edited to reflect the addition of Chapter 6 of the Lawbook. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the addition of Section E to Chapter 4 of the Lawbook. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the amendment of Chapter 5 of the Lawbook. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the amendment of Chapter 2 of the Lawbook. (Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir, Prætor)
- Edited to add Chapter 7 and amend Chapter 2 (remove Section B) of the Lawbook (Suthergold, D. Prætor)
- Edited to add Chapter 8 of the Lawbook (6723; Suthergold, Prætor)
– Edited to add Section C in Ch 8 of Lawbook (6734; Suthergold, Prætor)
- Edited to add Section I in Ch 7 (1664; Machinaria, Prætor)
- Edited to remove Section B in Ch 1 (1664; Machinaria, Prætor)
- Edited to add Chaoter 9 of the Lawbook (1666; Machinaria, Prætor)
- Edited to reflect the Act of Dissolution of the Imperial States (1668; Machinaria, Prætor)

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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 1: On the Lawbook
[Amended 1664]

Section A:

1. This Book is the Lawbook. All acts adopted by the Landsraad shall be recorded in full in this Book.

2. All Treaties ratified by the Landsraad shall be affixed to this Book.

3. Decisions of the Landsraad to levy tax shall be affixed to this Book.

4. Decisions of the Landsraad to repeal a Kaiser's decree shall be affixed to this book.

5. Legislative agreements between the Landsraad and the Kaiser shall be affixed to this book.
Fjǫrleif Llængjarla of the Houses of Ayreon-Kalirion and of the Descendants of Freyja
High Priestess of the Mackerel Temple
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Princess of Anun
Countess of Northshire, of Arietta, and of the Lady Esther Isles

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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 2:

Repealed.
Amendment history:

1654: People of Shireroth Act, repealed Section B.
1661: Section A amended by Brookshire Statehood Act.
1662: Upon notice by the Prince of Modan of the name change of Malarboria
1668: Repealed by the Act to Dissolve the Imperial States
Fjǫrleif Llængjarla of the Houses of Ayreon-Kalirion and of the Descendants of Freyja
High Priestess of the Mackerel Temple
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Princess of Anun
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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 3: Imperial Judex

Section A: Jurisdiction

1. The Imperial Judex shall have original jurisdiction in any legal dispute that arises in the Imperial Republic concerning any contract as well as any act, omission, or conduct which is within the purview of Imperial Law, or has taken place in any imperial dominion or in any property abroad that is owned by the Imperial Republic, or on any vessel, in the high seas, air- or spacecraft in territory or space under no sovereign power, that is under the flag of the Imperial Republic or that is owned by a legal or natural person resident in or citizen of the Imperial Republic.

2. Repealed, 1668.

3. Repealed, 1668.

4. In all cases before it, the Imperial Judex shall decide upon its own Rules of Procedure, having regarded what the case and the situation merit. In all court cases, Friends of the Court may submit to the Imperial Judex submit their observations and interpretations of law and fact.

Section B: Prosecution of Criminal Offences under Imperial Law

1. All criminal offences prosecuted before the Imperial Judex shall be prosecuted at the suit of the Imperial Inquisitor.

2. To institute a prosecution under this Section the Imperial Inquisitor shall submit a Petition for Indictment to the Imperial Judex naming the person(s) - hereafter "the defendant(s)" - zie wishes to prosecute, specifying the criminal offences the defendant(s) are being accused of, and submitting evidence the back up the accusations.

3. After the submission of a Petition for Indictment, the defendant(s) may, but need not, make submissions to the Imperial Judex. Zie may also appoint an advocate who may be any person zie wishes.

4. In the event that the Imperial Judex is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a prosecution it shall issue an Indictment naming the defendant(s) and listing the criminal offences they are being accused of.

5. After notifying the the defendant(s), the Imperial Judex shall proceed to trial. Such trial shall be open and objective and shall seek the truth.

6. At the end of the trial, the Imperial Judex shall issue a judgment. The judgment shall explain the findings of the Imperial Judex and explicitly state whether or not the defendant is guilty.

7. In the event that the Imperial Judex finds the defendant guilty, it shall make a ruling on what kind of punishment shall be imposed upon the defendant. The punishment shall be proportional to the nature of the criminal offence.

8. The Core Criminal Offences within the Imperial Dominions and concerning the Imperial Government shall be defined by the Criminal Code of Shireroth.

Section C: Interpretation of the Charter

1. Any person or personality of standing under the Charter may bring a question of interpretation of the Charter to the Imperial Judex.

2. A person or personality of standing under the Charter shall encompass any office or officer named in the Charter and any institution of legislative, executive or judicial power in an Imperial Dominion. It/zie is the petitioner. [Amended 1668]

3. A question of interpretation must have relevancy to the petitioner.

4. In any question of interpretation involving a law of any body, conduct by any body or order by any body, the relevant respondent shall be named and shall answer before the Imperial Judex. If there is no relevant respondent, the Imperial Judex shall nonetheless proceed with the case if it finds the petitioner's question to have relevancy.

5. The Imperial Judex shall make an agenda for the hearing and publish it.

6. The petitioner and respondent shall make their submissions and counter-submissions, and more, if requested by the Imperial Judex.

7. Briefs of amicus curiae shall be open for submission. Petitioner and respondent shall not be excluded the right to respond to the submissions.

8. The Imperial Judex shall close the hearing and within reasonable time issue a judgment on the matter.

Section D: Civil cases and other disputes

1. Any legal or natural person or persons, or group of persons with legitimate personal standing (hereafter "the petitioner(s)"), may submit to the Imperial Judex to sue any other legal or natural person or persons, or group of persons (hereafter, "the respondent(s)"). Petitioner(s) and respondent(s) include any advocate zie may appoint.

2. Such petition must state the nature and claims of the petitioner(s), and any remedy sought from the respondent(s).

3. In the event that the Imperial Judex finds that there is sufficient evidence to allow a trial, it shall inform the respondent(s) of the petition, who then may elect to make a counter-petition at this point.

4. Having reviewed and decided upon the counter-petition, the Imperial Judex may either dismiss the suit or proceed to trial, which shall conclude with a judgment. The judgment shall explain the findings of the Imperial Judex and what remedy shall be given by either party to the other party.

Section E: Where No Provisions

1. The Imperial Judex has the right to make any ruling, order or by-laws for any conduct or trial, including for any appeals that it has received, where no provision in this Chapter, or any other relevant law, shall be sufficient.

2. Whenever the Rules of Procedure or this Chapter or any other relevant law contain no provision for exercising a right or procedure the Imperial Judex may adopt any procedure that is not contrary to or inconsistent with the aforesaid Rules of Procedure or legislation. A party in a proceeding may, on motion to the Imperial Judex, request directions as to the procedure aforesaid.

Section F: Contempt of Court

1. Anyone shall be guilty of Contempt of Court who:
  1. assaults, threatens, intimidates, or wilfully insults the (Assistant) Arbiter, the Imperial Inquisitor or other officer of the Imperial Judex, or a witness, during zir sitting or attendance in Court, or in going to or returning from the Imperial Judex; or
  2. wilfully interrupts or obstructs the proceedings of the Imperial Judex, or misbehaves in the aforesaid Court; or
  3. wilfully and without lawful excuse disobeys an order or direction of the Court in the course of the hearing of a proceeding.
2. The Imperial Judex may sentence a person who has committed an offence against the preceding Subsection to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 ASC years, or to pay a fine not exceeding 5,000 Erb or both, for every offence.

Section G: Improper Proceedings

1. The Imperial Judex may, at any time, on request or on its own motion after having heard the parties on the point, declare a court case or other judicial proceeding bofore it improper, dismiss the aforsaid case or other judicial proceeding, and hold the party concerned in Contempt of Court.

2. The procedural impropriety may consist in a claim or pleading that is clearly unfounded, frivolous or dilatory or in conduct that is vexatious or quarrelsome. It may also consist in bad faith, in a use of procedure that is excessive or unreasonable or causes prejudice to another person, or in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice, in particular if it restricts freedom of expression in public debate.
Fjǫrleif Llængjarla of the Houses of Ayreon-Kalirion and of the Descendants of Freyja
High Priestess of the Mackerel Temple
Princess of Elwynn
Princess of Anun
Countess of Northshire, of Arietta, and of the Lady Esther Isles

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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 4:

Repealed 1668.

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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 5:

Repealed 1668.
Fjǫrleif Llængjarla of the Houses of Ayreon-Kalirion and of the Descendants of Freyja
High Priestess of the Mackerel Temple
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Princess of Anun
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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 6:

Repealed 1668.
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High Priestess of the Mackerel Temple
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Princess of Anun
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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 7: People of Shireroth

Section A: Citizenship

All free persons (belonging to recognized sentient species) who in the Imperial Republic hold a noble title or are of noble dignity are citizens of the Imperial Republic. The exception is persons holding the title Imperial Baron/Baroness. They are recognized to be nobles of Shireroth without holding citizenship.


Section B: Nobility

The nobility consists of the Kaiser at its apex followed by persons with noble titles and persons with noble dignity.


Section C: Noble Titles

1. The Kaiser creates noble titles the Imperial Republic.

2. The Kaiser, when creating a noble title, decides if the title may be succeeded to, and if so, the Kaiser makes rules for the succession to that title.

3. Noble titles created by the Kaiser, may be prefixed with the adjective Imperial, and come in the form of (highest rank to lowest) Prince/Princess (2), Duke/Duchess (3), Marquess/Marchioness (4), Count/Countess (5), Viscount/Viscountess (6), Baron/Baroness (7), Lord/Lady in Shirekeep (8), Lord/Lady of Service (X). Their rank is indicated by the number in parenthesis after the title. Lawful spouses are ranked the same as their title-holding spouse.

4. The Kaiser is ranked (1). The Kaiser’s lawful spouse and children are ranked (2) for the duration of the kaisership.

5. Lord or Lady in Service (X) is a noble title held for the duration of a certain office. It may not be inherited or transferred. Its rank is the hierarchy is decided for an individual for the duration of the office by the Kaiser.

6. Repealed, 1668.

7. Repealed, 1668.

8. Repealed, 1668.

9. Repealed, 1668.

Section D: Noble dignity

1. Any person who holds or has held a noble title (excepting Lord/Lady in Service) has noble dignity for life, subject to this Section.

2. Noble dignity extends to the lawful spouse of the person with noble dignity, and to their legitimate descendants with their lawful spouses.

3. A person’s noble dignity is extended to his or her illegitimate or adopted child if such child has been living with him/her for ten years.

4. Persons of noble dignity, who hold no noble title, have rank (9).

5. A person with noble dignity who has put the nobility into disrepute may have his or her noble dignity removed by the Kaiser, upon the advice of the Imperial Advisory Council. If his/her spouse or descendants derive their noble dignity from him/her alone, their noble dignity shall be extenguished also.

6. Persons who have renounced their Shirerithian citizenship lose their noble dignity. This extends to their descendants and spouse if they derive their noble dignity from the renouncer.


Section E: Denizenship

1. All free persons (belonging to recognized sentient species) who are legally resident in the Imperial Republic hold denizenship in the Imperial Republic. A denizen who temporarily resides in another country remains a denizen.

2. Denizens have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for the duration of their denizenship. None of these rights shall be taken from them without a trial. They have free movement throughout the Imperial Republic and have the right to enter and leave the territory of the Imperial Republic.

3. Foreigners who seeks denizeniship in the Imperial Republic shall make certain that they (1) are free (not a slave, not in indentured servitude, etc.), (2) belong to a recognized sentient species, and (3) do not hold citizenship, denizenship or allegiance to any entity of evil or annoyance (as proscribed by imperial law).

4. If the Steward, or in stead of the Steward, the appropriate minister or their deputy, is satisfied that the foreigner meets the criteria set forth in Subsection 3, he or she shall issue the foreigner with a certificate of denizenship.

5. Denizens hold the rank (10)


Section F: Foreigners.

1. Foreigners who have entered the Imperial Republic with the permission of the Imperial Government (by treaty, visa, or invitation) are protected by the Imperial Republic, and shall hold a temporary rank of 10 for the duration of their visit, unless they by the Ministry of the Exterior (or the Kaiser) are afforded a service rank of nobility for the duration of their visit.

2. Indentured servants and slaves brought by the foreigner into Shirekeep for the duration of the visit shall be taxed and be given the rank (11) and (12) respectively for the duration of their visit.

3. Foreigners are criminally and civilly liable for any offences caused by them during their stay in the Imperial Republic.

4. Whosoever injures a foreigner under the protection of the Imperial Republic commits a crime against the Imperial Republic and shall answer for that crime within the law of the Imperial Republic.

5. Foreigners who enter the Imperial Republic unlawfully become loyal subjects of the Kaiser.

6. Foreigners from countries that do not have visa agreements, arrangements, or régimes in place with the Imperial Republic, and which countries are not in bad standing with the Imperial Republic, shall apply for travel visas in advance of their trip, and are wholly responsible for complying with all laws and regulations pertaining thereto. [Amended 1655]


Section G: Loyal Subjects of the Kaiser

1. Denizens who by their free choice give unto a person of noble dignity of the Imperial Republic full rights to their body and labour and to the fruits of both body and labour enter into a feudal relationship with that noble to whom they have given the rights, and they shall be classed a Loyal Subject of the Kaiser. Such a relationship may by the Noble in question be terminated or transferred to another Noble, provided that for either option, 5 days notice is given to the loyal subject in question. A decision to become a loyal subject of the Kaiser is valid for twelve years, unless the careholding noble and the loyal subject agree to end the contractual relationship earlier. [Amended 1662]

2. Loyal subjects of the Kaiser have the right from their noble of responsibility to receive appropriate clothing, food, drink and, on average, 10 hours of rest every day (including sleep), and one free day every month. They shall not be physically injured unless they have disobeyed their noble of responsibility. Punishments inflicting injury shall be proportional to the disobedience. [Amended 1662]

3. There is established the Imperial Ombudsman for the Loyal Subjects of the Kaiser to oversee the treatment of loyal subjects and prosecute any maltreatment. The Ombudsman is appointed by the Steward.

4. To honour the sacrifice made by the free will of a loyal subject, the Priest of the Fire of Victory, Atash Behram Der Bareber Sathrati, shall perform a rite of celebrating that sacrificial soul, and inscribe their name in a Scroll of Loyal Subjecthood including who their Noble of responsibility is. Upon termination (whereupon the subject enters into denizenship), birth, death, release or transfer of a loyal subject, the Scroll of Loyal Subjecthood shall accordingly be amended. Upon the release of a person from loyal subjecthood, the previous loyal subject shall be free from paying income tax for as many years as his or her loyal subjecthood lasted. [Amended 1662]


5. A woman, who is a loyal subject of the Kaiser and who during her servitude gave birth to a child, shall present the child to her noble of responsibility. The child shall too become a loyal subject of the Kaiser. Children who are loyal subjects of the Kaiser shall receive an education at an Imperial Gymnasium, organised at the lieutenancy level by the Imperial Government, from the age of seven (7) until they attain the age of majority (15). In recognition of the care generously bestowed upon them by the Imperial Republic, the children of loyal subjects having received a certificate of release from the Imperial Gymnasium shall be enrolled into Imperial Service as Loyal Subjects for eight (8) years. The Imperial Household may conduct examinations to identify the top 1% in each graduating cohort per lieutenancy per Norton year for recruitment to the Imperial Court by further competitive examination. The Imperial Forces and the Imperial Marshals may recruit to meet their requirements from the remainder. Any Loyal Subjects passed over by the Imperial Household, the Imperial Forces, and the Imperial Marshals, may be put forward for auction to the corporations and noble lords of the Imperial Republic who may bid to receive the service of these Loyal Subjects for the duration of their tenure. Those Loyal Subjects passed over by the corporations and noble lords of the Imperial Republic will be enlisted in the Konkordskaya Bratva and assigned to the garrison of the Froyalan National Reserve for the duration of their service. [Amended 1662]

5.1. Unless they are raised to the nobility or consigned to community service before time, all children enrolled as Loyal Subjects at the attainment of their age of majority shall be bestowed with the dignity, rights, and obligations of denizenship at the conclusion of their tenure of service. [Added 1662]

5.2. No purported right to a family life shall be permitted to negate the obligation of service where it is owed. [Added 1662]

6. Loyal subjects of the Kaiser are ranked (11).

7. The noble of responsibility for the loyal subject is civilly responsible for the actions of the loyal subject. In the event of a loyal subject committing a crime requiring a custodial sentence, the punishment shall be converted to community servitude for twice as long as the custodial sentence requires. [Amended 1662]

8. The Imperial Republic shall to each noble older than the age of majority ensure that his or her household has at least ten loyal subjects. [Added 1662]

9. Repealed, 1668.


Section H: Community servant

1. A person who has committed a crime will upon sentencing have a choice between adhering to the court’s sentence or becoming the inalienable property of the Imperial Republic (“community servant”). The Court may also elect, instead of handing out the punishment prescribed by law, to make the offender become a community servant in the care of the Imperial Republic. Community servitude shall last twice as long for the punishment prescribed by law if a custodial sentence. If the prescribed sentence is death, or for life, the community service shall last until death. [Amended 1662]

2. A child born to a female community servant is a loyal subject and the requirements and obligations of Chapter 7, section G, subsection 5, shall apply to that child.  [Amended 1662]

3. Ownership of Community servants may be transferred another noble. It is the obligation of the Imperial Republic to transfer to any noble so desiring the ownership of five community servants (without charge), as such is the right of the nobility. [Amended 1662]

4. The owner of a community servant is civilly and criminally responsible for the actions of the community servant. Each community servant has a right to eight hours of rest every 24 hours, enough food for their physical needs, and a right to avoid torture. Aside from that, there exists no restriction to what the owner may do with the community servant or order the community servant to do. [Amended 1662]

5. The Kaiser may, upon the petition of the owner of the community servant, elevate the community servant to loyal subject of the Kaiser. The Kaiser may, upon the petition of the noble responsible, cause a loyal subject of the Kaiser to become a community servant of the noble responsible if the Kaiser is satisfied that the loyal subject has a history of behaviour that warrants community servitude. If so is the case, the community servitude shall last for twice as long as the years left of the loyal subject of such contractual relationship. [Amended 1662]

6. Community servants are ranked (12).

7. There is established the Imperial Ombudsman for the Community Servants to oversee the treatment of community servants and prosecute any maltreatment. The Ombudsman is appointed by the Steward. [Added 1662]

8. Repealed, 1668.

Section I: Protected Person of the Kaiser [Added 1664]

1. A person who does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the nobility or in denizenship, who has not tendered voluntary submission into loyal subjecthood, or else has not been sentenced to community servitude by lawful authority, and who is not subject to a foreign power or has not immigrated to the Imperial Republic against the law of the Imperial Republic is a protected person of the Kaiser.

2. It is the responsibility of the Imperial Government to provide protected persons of the Kaiser such food and housing as is necessary for their upkeep as well as meaningful work necessary for their physical and spiritual wellbeing.

3. Protected persons shall for their protection live outside the remits or dominion jurisdictions, but shall be governed in special colonies established under imperial law. Protected persons shall, for their protection, not have any significant contact with people outside of these special colonies. [Amended 1668]

4. Protected persons rank (13).
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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 8: Adelsraad and Folksraad

Section 1: Advisory bodies
  1. No law affecting the interests of the citizens shall be adopted by the Landsraad without the advice and consent of the Adelsraad.
  2. No law affecting the rights or obligations of the denizens shall be adopted by the Landsraad without the consent of the Folksraad.
  3. The Prætor shall furnish a guard to protect the members of the Adelsraad and Folksraad.
  4. Members of the Adelsraad and Folksraad shall by the Prætor be given compensation for their services in proportion to their rank and extent of service, in accordance with a budget set by the Kaiser.

[Amended 1656]


Section 2: Folksraad
  1. The Folksraad consists of representatives of the denizens. One thousand seats shall be allocated to the imperial dominions protectorates according to population distribution. [Amended 1656, 1661, 1668]
  2. Denizens elect their representatives by proportional representation on party lists for their constituency.
  3. Each imperial dominion and each protectorate constitutes a constituency. [Amended 1668]
  4. Seats are allocated to each constituency in proportion to its denizen population, as determined by the Ministry of the Interior.
  5. Elections are held every four years in a manner prescribed by the Steward.
  6. The Folksraad adopts, with the consent of the Prætor, its rules of procedures.
  7. The Folksraad shall meet in such place as decided by the Prætor

Section 3: Adelsraad
  1. The Adelsraad consists of the representatives of the nobility. One-hundred and fifty seats shall be allocated to the imperial dominions according to the proportion of their noble population. An imperial dominion is guaranteed at least one representative. [Amended 1661, 1664, 1668]
  2. [Amended 1661, 1664, repealed 1668]
  3. Citizens elect their representatives by proportional representation on party lists for their constituency.
  4. Elections are held every four years in a manner prescribed by the Steward.
  5. The Adelsraad adopts, with the consent of the Prætor, its rules of procedures.
  6. The Adelsraad shall meet in the Palace of Zirandorthel
[Inserted 1656]
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Re: Lawbook of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

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Chapter 9: Code of Elections

Section A: Electoral Rights of Citizens and Denizens.

1. Citizens and denizens shall have the right to participate in safe, free, fair, and open elections at reasonable intervals by secret ballot, under conditions which will ensure the free expression of the opinion of the citizens and denizens in the choice of their Representatives to the Folksraad and the Adelsraad.

2. No citizen or denizen is to be denied the enjoyment of any civil or political right because of race, recognized species, color, creed, sex, or national origin. The Landsraad may legislate further and enact on this right.

3. The Imperial Electoral Authority shall be in charge of ensuring the faithful enforcement and application of these rights, supported by the Imperial Constabulary and any such forces the Imperial Government may allocate for its purpose.


Section B: Imperial Electoral Authority

1. This section establishes the Imperial Electoral Authority.

2. The purpose of the Imperial Electoral Authority shall be to provide for the organization and duties of election commissions responsible for the fair management of elections and referenda, and supervision of the affairs related to political parties, in the Dominions, except for any protectorates covered under a separate Treaty or Agreement regulating the relationship. [Amended 1668]

3. The Imperial Electoral Authority shall attend to the following affairs as prescribed in the Lawbook and subordinate statutes:
  • a. Affairs concerning elections of each local government, except for any protectorates covered under a separate Treaty or Agreement regulating the relationship [Amended 1668];
    b. Affairs concerning referenda, except for any protectorates covered under a separate Treaty or Agreement regulating the relationship;
    c. Affairs concerning political parties, except for any protectorates covered under a separate Treaty or Agreement regulating the relationship;
    d. Affairs concerning entrusted elections under imperial law (hereinafter referred to as “entrusted elections”);
    e. Other affairs as prescribed in other Acts and subordinate statutes.
4. The Imperial Electoral Authority shall ensure fairness in managing an election or referendum and attending to the affairs concerning political parties by faithfully observing the Lawbook and subordinate statutes.

5. The Imperial Electoral Authority shall exercise overall control and supervision of the affairs as provided for in paragraph (3), and shall direct and oversee a lower election commission in attending to the same affairs in paragraph (3).

6. The Imperial Electoral Authority shall be composed of three (3) members appointed by the Kaiser, one (1) member appointed by the Prætor, one (1) member elected by the Folksraad, one (1) member elected by the Adelsraad, and one (1) member appointed by the Arbiter. In this case, the members shall be so appointed, elected, or nominated after the final consent of the Kaiser, or in case of a Regency, the final consent of the Regent. Members, other than those elected by the Folksraad and Adelsraad, are appointed for an indefinite term, but may be removed from their office by death, their resignation, or by their removal from office by a resolution of the Landsraad. Members elected by the Folksraad and Adelsraad have their terms fixed for the period until a new Folksraad or Adelsraad has elected a replacement. The elected members may also be removed from office by the chamber that elected them.

7. The Imperial Electoral Authority shall have the authority to make binding regulations on all matters under its purview. Such regulations may be amended and repealed by the Landsraad with the consent of the Adelsraad and Folksraad.

8. The Imperial Electoral Authority shall have a Chairperson, appointed by the Kaiser from among its duly appointed members.

9. The Chairperson shall represent the Imperial Electoral Authority and exercise overall control of its affairs.

10. If the Chairperson is verifiably incapacitated or absent due to any accident, an acting chairperson shall be appointed by the Kaiser from among the members to act on behalf of the chairperson.

11. A meeting of the Imperial Electoral Authority shall be commenced with the presence of a majority of the members of the meeting, and any resolution thereof shall require the concurring votes of a majority of the members present.

12. The Chairperson shall have a vote and, in the event of a tie, have a casting vote.

13. A meeting of the Imperial Electoral Authority shall be convened by the Chairperson provided that when requested by a third or more of its members, the chairperson shall convene a meeting, and if the chairperson refuses to do so, a third or more of the members who has made the request may convene a meeting on their own.

14. The office of members of the Imperial Electoral Authority, other than the standing members, shall be paid, with members also being reimbursed for travel expenses, and compensation for other actual expenses.

15. Matters necessary for daily allowances, travel expenses, and compensation for other actual expenses for the members and commissioned members of each election commission shall be prescribed by the law.

16. No member of the Imperial Electoral Authority shall be arrested or detained unless he/she is a flagrant offender, and he shall be granted a deferment of the call for military service during the period from the base date for preparing the electoral register or the pronouncement of a referendum to the completion of ballot-counting, unless he/she commits a crime related to internal rebellion, foreign invasion, diplomatic relations, explosives, arson, currency, securities, stamps, seals, murder, battery, arrest, detention, theft, robbery, or a gross violation of national security.

17. The Imperial Electoral Authority shall provide regular guidance to the electorate to enhance their sense of sovereignty.

18. When an election or referendum is held, the Imperial Electoral Authority shall provide the guidance regarding the voting method, the prevention of abstention from voting, and other relevant matters through documents, books, pictures, facilities, newspapers, broadcasting, etc., under its supervision.

19. The Imperial Electoral Authority may entrust an organization deemed appropriate with regular guidance as provided for in paragraph (1).

20. Where a member or staff of the Imperial Electoral Authority discovers a violation of an election law in the course of performing his/her duties, he/she shall halt the violation, issue a warning or corrective order, and may request a competent investigation authority to launch an investigation or file a criminal charge if such violation is deemed significantly detrimental to the impartiality of an election or an order of suspension, warning, or correction is not complied with.

21. Any government body or administrative agency, which intends to enact, amend, or repeal any part of the Lawbook or subordinate statute relating to an election (including an entrusted one; hereinafter, the same shall apply in this Section), referendum and political party, shall send the a bill in question to the Imperial Electoral Authority in advance and ask for its opinion thereon.

22. The Imperial Electoral Authority may submit its opinion in writing, if it deems it IEAessary to enact or amend any of the following:
  • a. Acts relating to election, referendum, or political party;
    b. Acts relating to resident referendum and recall of elected officials. In such cases, its opinion shall be limited to the scope of management by the Imperial Electoral Authority.
23. In elections in any protectorates covered under a separate Treaty or Agreement regulating the relationship, thus not covered by this Chapter, the Imperial Electoral Authority shall to the best of its abilities establish relations with an electoral authority in that protectorate to cooperate on matters of mutual concern, especially on imperial elections.


Section C: Code of Electoral Conduct.

1. Every Shirerithian citizen and denizen and Imperial Dominion shall during election campaigns and elections promote conditions conducive to the conduct of safe, free, fair, and open elections and be bound by the Charter and the Lawbook. [Amended 1668]

2. The Imperial Electoral Authority and any member of the Imperial Constabulary shall enforce the Code of Electoral Conduct and shall promote conditions conducive to the observance of this Code.

3. In this Section, “party” includes:
  • a. any entity that subscribes to this Code of Conduct, including political parties, independent candidates, alliances or coalitions of parties, and political movements other than parties; and
    b. the leader, officials, candidates, members, agents, and representatives of any entity that subscribes to this Code of Conduct. However, the party isn’t fully liable for its members if it makes a good-faith effort to inform its members of the code and encourage them to abide by it.
4. The legitimacy of a government chosen through democratic multi-party elections rests on these principles:
  • a. that as a result of being informed through the electoral campaign of the policies and qualities of all political parties and candidates, voters are able to make an informed choice; and
    b. that voters are able to vote freely, without interference, fear, undue influence, or bribery.
5. All parties and candidates, having accepted this election campaign Code of Conduct, commit themselves to these principles and undertake voluntarily and in good faith to adhere to the Code so that these principles will be upheld, the elections will be recognized as expressing the free choice of the voters, and the result of that choice will be respected by all.

6. In any matter relating to the election process, a party will conduct itself in conformity with the prescriptions set out below:
  • a. Respect the right and freedom of all other parties to campaign, and to disseminate their political ideas and principles without fear;
    b. Conduct itself in a manner that respects the rights of other parties, and respects the rights of voters and other members of the community;
    c. Respect the freedom of the press;
    d. Use its good offices to seek to ensure reasonable freedom of access by all parties to all potential voters;
    e. Seek to ensure that potential voters wishing to participate in related political activities enjoy the freedom to do so;
    f. Clearly list and state its desired policies and values through a manifesto or platform, and
    g. Clearly list and state, if a political party or coalition, its leaders and party or coalition officials.
7. All parties and Imperial Dominions shall co-operate with election officials in order to ensure peaceful and orderly polling; and complete freedom for voters to exercise their right to vote without being subjected to any annoyance or obstructions; and to ensure the safety and security of electoral officials before, during, and after the polls; and maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting. [Amended 1668]

Section D: Appeals.

1. Decisions of the Imperial Electoral Authority, other than those that are in the form of regulations, may be appealed by an interested party to the Imperial Judex.


Section E:

[Repealed 1668]
Tinker Sprocket
Count of Norrström (Natopia)
Count of Machinaria, Viscount Sprocket of Machinaria (Shireroth)
Speaker of the Frenzy
Prætor of the Landsraad


Nathan and/or Ric

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