Application to void Imperial Decree 651

[Raz]

Your Excellency,

on behalf of the Tourism Bureau Holy Empire of Jingdao at Sea I come here to ask the voiding of Imperial Decree 651, which forbids Shirerithian citizens to set foot in the Holy Empire of Jingdao at Sea. We do not think this is legal under the present charter of the Imperial Republic and we believe it hurts our tourism industry.

Bianfu Fengkuang, M.D.

[Ryker]

Agreed.

[Aryeztur]

Agreed, oddly enough.

[Ryker]

You know it's messed up when Aryasht says Jingdao is being mistreated.

[Aryeztur]

Aryasht was neither friendly nor hostile towards either Jingdao and Kildare. It follows its own interests without permanent friends or enemies. There are only permanent interests.

[Ryker]

But of course.

[Ryabin Merkayastreb]

Aryasht was neither friendly nor hostile towards either Jingdao and Kildare. It follows its own interests without permanent friends or enemies. There are only permanent interests.

A fine description of Goldshire's foreign policy too. If only because the current Duke struggles to give a damn at times. I envy Lichbrook these days, they stay out of everything...

[Tokaray al-Osman]

You know it's messed up when Aryasht says Jingdao is being mistreated.

The prospect of gaining more land having no sway on the Grandsire's stance... (just saying he's a mercurial opportunist who spins like a weathercock)

[Vilhelm Benkern]

IN THE IMPERIAL JUDEX
5268 ASC.

In the case of

THE IMPERIAL REPUBLIC

v.

KAISERESS SEMISA II

ex parte THE TOURISM BUREAU OF THE HOLY EMPIRE OF JINGDAO AT SEA

As Arbiter, I will accept this case for a full hearing only after a prima facie case has been put forward by the claimant. The only justification for voiding an Imperial Decree is that it violates the Charter. A prima facie case has not been shown by the applicant - simply asserting that a measure violates the Charter is not sufficient in a case as significant as rendering void an Imperial Decree, unlike a less serious case such as questioning the legality of an act of an Imperial Minister. Therefore I await the presentation of a prima facie case.

BENKERN
Arbiter

[Ryker]

Should this decree be passed, my lands will pay little heed to its existence as it acts against the Countship Charter's policy on discrimination without just cause.

[Ryabin Merkayastreb]

Should this decree be passed, my lands will pay little heed to its existence as it acts against the Countship Charter's policy on discrimination without just cause.

May I draw your attention to Article III, Subarticle II of that Charter:

The Count of Suthergold is a constituent county of the Duchy of Goldshire. The Count of Suthergold exercises zir rule on behalf of, and in subordination to, the Duke of Goldshire. The Count holds full power over the County of Suthergold in such affairs as are not reserved or overridden by the Duke of Goldshire.

...and to Article II, Item II of the Codex Aureus of Goldshire:

The Duke rules in deference and favour to the Imperial Republic of Shireroth, of which the Duchy of Goldshire is an Imperial State exercising the full privileges and obligations thereof.

You are thus obliged to obey Imperial law and by extension the judgements of its primary custodian, even if you dislike it.

But let us not tie up these proceedings, they don't concern either of us directly and I can feel the Arbiter's cudgel brushing the back of my neck for breaching the order of this Court...

[Ryker]

*Grumble* Very well.

[Verion]

I don't think we should care about the tourism industry in the savage nation of Jingdao. The safety of our citizens is what concerns me. Therefore, I congratulate the Kaiseress on this decree and welcome this sign of the rejection of the uncivilized and barbarious nation of Jingdao at sea.

[Raz]

Your Excellency, my superiors believe that this decree is beneficial to the Holy Empire of Jingdao at Sea in other areas than tourism and I have been asked to retract this application. I will comply with their wish.