Charter of the Imperial Republic (pre-1653)

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See also The Imperial Charter of Shireroth (pre-2012) and The Imperial Charter of Shireroth (pre-2015)

The Charter of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth is our fundamental constitutional document. It sets out the primary organs of government and their respective competencies. Shireroth has had a constitution since at least Imperial Decree 2 (2002) and a Charter since Imperial Decree 73 (2003). Please see the History of the Charter for further information.

The current version of the Charter was, in the form of an amendment to the previous Charter, passed by the Landsraad on 4 May 2015 and promulgated by Kaiser Verion I 8 May 2015.


The Charter of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth

Article I: The Imperial Republic

Section A: Definition

The Imperial Republic of Shireroth is a federation of states with the Kaiser as head of state.

Section B: The Charter

The Imperial Republic is goverened in accordance with the Charter. Any law or measure that contradicts the Charter shall be held to be void.

Section C: Territory

  1. The territory of the Imperial Republic is comprised of
    a) Imperial States, and
    b) Imperial Dominions.
  2. Imperial States are defined and governed in accordance with Article V of the Charter.
  3. Imperial Dominions are territories under the direct administration of the Imperial government.

Section D: Citizenship

The Imperial Republic is united by a common Shirerithian citizenship. The Imperial government grants citizenship in accordance with Imperial law. The Imperial States grant residency in accordance with state law.

Article II: The Kaiser

Section A: Definition

  1. The Kaiser, or Kaiseress if a woman, is the head of state of the Imperial Republic.
  2. The executive power of the Imperial government is vested in the Kaiser.
  3. The Kaiser exercises zir authority by Imperial Decree.

Section B: Powers

  1. The Kaiser may
    a) Veto legislation passed by the Landsraad.
    b) Submit an act of the Landsraad to the Imperial Judex for judicial review.
  2. The Kaiser acts as Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of the Imperial government. In times of war, the Kaiser acts as Commander-in-Chief of all military forces within the Imperial Republic.
  3. The Kaiser appoints the Arbiter of the Imperial Judex, subject to confirmation by the Landsraad.
  4. The Kaiser issues Imperial Decrees with full force of law within the competence listed in Article VI, Section A.

Section C: Succession and Stewardship

  1. The Kaiser shall appoint zir successor from among the citizens of the Imperial Republic.
  2. Should the Kaiser die, abdicate or be removed from the Throne without having declared a successor, the Landsraad shall immediately elect a successor for the position from among the citizens of the Imperial Republic.
  3. Should the Kaiser be removed from the Throne such removal shall include the removal of zir declared successor, irrespective of when zie has declared such successor, and the Landsraad shall immediately elect a successor to the Kaisership from among the citizens of the Imperial Republic.
  4. The Kaiser may, from among the citizens of the Imperial Republic, appoint a Steward to conduct the goverment of the Imperial Republic in zir stead when zie is absent, ill or indisposed.
  5. The Steward may exercise all the powers of the Kaiser, except for those powers zie is prohibited from exercising by this Charter or other Federal Law.
  6. The Steward may not declare zirself Kaiser, or remove the Kaiser from the Throne, or amend any Imperial Decree concerning matters of succession to the Kaisership, whether by way of variation, addition, or repeal, which was issued by the incumbent Kaiser.
  7. In the event of the unannounced absence of the Kaiser for a period exceeding 7 ASC units, the Steward shall, subject to this Charter, be free to exercise all the powers of the Kaiser. Should there be no Steward, the Prætor shall conduct the government with zie having the same powers as a Steward until the Landsraad has elected a Steward. The aforesaid period of Stewardship shall end upon the Kaiser announcing zir return or another Kaiser taking the Throne in accordance with this Charter. Any other period of Stewardship shall commence and end in accordance with Federal Law.}}

Section D: Deposition

The Kaiser can be deposed by a three-fourths' majority vote of the Landsraad, and the consent of a majority of the Imperial States.

Article III: The Landsraad

Section A: Definition

  1. The legislative power of the Imperial government is vested in the Landsraad.
  2. The Landsraad is an assembly comprising all citizens of the Imperial Republic. It makes its own procedures.

Section B: Powers

  1. The Landsraad
    a) Legislates on the matters listed in Article VI, Section A,
    b) Overrides a Kaiseral veto by a vote of two-thirds' majority,
    c) Ratifies treaties with foreign powers,
    d) Approves or rejects the nominee for Arbiter.
    e) Removes the Arbiter from office by a vote of three-fourths' majority.
  2. The Landsraad may veto or repeal Imperial Decrees issued under Article II, Section B, sub-section 4, by two thirds' majority.

Section C: The Prætor

  1. The Landsraad elects a Prætor from among its members.
  2. The Prætor of the Landsraad shall lead and preside over the sessions of the Landsraad.

Article IV: The Imperial Judex

Section A: Definition

  1. The judicial power of the Imperial government is vested in the Imperial Judex.
  2. The Imperial Judex is headed by the Arbiter.
  3. The Imperial Judex is the supreme court of the Imperial Republic. It has jurisdiction within the Imperial Dominions, and is the final court of appeal for the Imperial States.
  4. The Imperial Judex has exclusive jurisdiction over crimes against the Imperial government, including, but not limited to, treason, sedition and rebellion.

Section B: Powers

  1. The Imperial Judex may overturn any law, decree or measure of the Imperial government or of the Imperial states that is contrary to this Charter.
  2. The Imperial Judex interprets the Charter.
  3. Any administrative action by the Imperial government or by an Imperial State, may be appealed to the Imperial Judex if it is believed that the action violates this Charter or any other applicable law.
  4. Disputes between Imperial States, and between one or several Imperial States and the Imperial government, shall be settled by the Imperial Judex.
  5. The Arbiter may nominate Provosts of the Imperial Judex to act in zir stead in trials and regulations of the Imperial Judex. Provosts shall be confirmed by the Landsraad before taking office.

Section C: Imperial Inquisition

  1. There shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Judex an Imperial Inquisition. It shall investigate and prosecute cases under Imperial law.
  2. The Kaiser appoints the members of the Imperial Inquisition.

Article V: The Imperial States

Section A: Definition

Imperial States are autonomous states, governed in accordance with this Charter and local state law.

Section B: Local Autonomy

  1. Imperial States are autonomous in all matters not expressly reserved to other individuals or bodies.
  2. Imperial States legislate on the matters listed in Article VI, Section B.

Section C: Secession

  1. In accordance with its constitution, an Imperial State may make an application to the Kaiser for independence.
  2. The Kaiser must bring an application for independence to the Landsraad within 7 years ASC, with zir comments.
  3. The Landsraad shall debate and vote on a notion of independence, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
  4. The Kaiser shall proceed to negotiate the specifics of independence with the government of the Imperial State, including but not limited to land, money, institutional separation and basis for future diplomatic contact.
  5. The Kaiser shall bring the negotiated specifics of independence to the Landsraad, which requires a simple majority to pass. Concurrently, the specifics of independence may require ratification in the Imperial State, in accordance with its constitution.
  6. The Kaiser shall request public certification by the Arbiter that all constitutional requirements are met and that the specifics of independence are legal.
  7. On receipt of public certification, the Kaiser shall decree independence with the negotiated specifics as a schedule.

Section D: Inactive Imperial States

  1. An Imperial State that shows no activity for a period of one month shall be placed under administrative protection by the Kaiser.
  2. Administrative protection is a period of one month in which time the autonomy of an Imperial State is suspended and placed under the direct administation of the Imperial Republic.
  3. During the period of administrative protection the Kaiser shall, to the best of his ability:
    a) Exhort the inactive state government to resume its normal administrative function,
    b) Convene a convention of all citizens of the state to deliberate upon the formation of a new state government,
    c) Protect the unique cultural and historical legacy of the Imperial
  4. If, in the period of administrative protection, the hitherto established government gives notice of its return to activity or the convention of citizens announces the establishment of a new state government, the Kaiser shall end the period of administrative protection and restore full autonomy to the Imperial
  5. Should an Imperial State under administrative protection fail to re-establish the proper mechanisms for self-government after one month, the Kaiser may, at his discretion, set a resolution before the Landsraad to revoke the autonomy and statehood of the Imperial
  6. The revocation of autonomy and statehood for an Imperial State under administrative protection may be achieved only by a two-thirds majority vote of the Landsraad, and the consent of two-thirds of the existing Imperial
  7. An Imperial State whose autonomy and statehood has been revoked may either be demoted to become an Imperial Dominion or else shall be dissolved entirely and the territory evacuated, partially or in full, by the Kaiser on the recommendations of the Imperial Advisory Council.

Section E: Establishment and Disestablishment

  1. New Imperial States may be established by a two-thirds majority vote of the Landsraad, and the consent of two-thirds of the existing Imperial States.
  2. The territory for a new Imperial State may be taken from Imperial Dominions or from existing Imperial States, with the consent of those states.
  3. An active Imperial State may only be disestablished in accordance with local state law. The land of that state shall become Imperial Dominion and any other property shall belong to the Imperial government.

Article VI: The Imperial Government and the States

Section A: The Competence of the Imperial Government

  1. The Imperial government has exclusive jurisdiction to legislate on matters regarding
    a) War and peace,
    b) Foreign policy,
    c) International borders,
    d) National defence,
    e) National security,
    f) Currency,
    g) Interstate commerce, trade and infrastructure,
    h) Enforcement of Imperial law,
    i) Contracts,
    j) Citizenship, and
    k) The Imperial Dominions.
  2. State legislation in these areas is superseded by Imperial law.

Section B: The Competence of the Imperial States

  1. The Imperial States have exclusive jurisdiction to legislate on matters regarding
    a) Internal organisation and administration,
    b) Culture,
    c) Local criminal law,
    d) Infrastructure,
    e) Education,
    f) Enforcement of state law,
    g) Civil defence, and
    h) Local defence.
  2. Imperial law in these areas is superseded by state law.

Article VII: Amendment

Section A: Amendments

  1. This Charter is amended by a three fourths’ majority vote of the Landsraad and the Kaiser's promulgation of the amendment by Imperial Decree.
  2. Articles VI and VII are only amended by a three-fourths majority vote of the Landsraad, and the consent of three-fourths of the Imperial States.
  3. All amendments shall be recorded.


Duly adopted by the Landsraad in the year fifty-seven hundred and forty-nine and promulgated by Kaiser Verion I in the year fifty-seven hundred and fifty-four in Imperial Decree 734

Amendment History

The first amendment to the Charter was passed by the Landsraad on 5 August 2015 and promulgated by Kaiser Hjalmar on the same day. The amendment expanded section C of Article II and defined the matter of Imperial succession more clearly and also put the office of Steward back into the Charter.

The second amendment was passed by the Landsraad and subsequently promulgated by Steward Liv Dravot on 22 Laemill 1651 (16 August 2017) by Imperial Decree 963. The amendment concerned Chapter V, Section B of the Charter.