Imperial Decree 240

Imperial Decree #240, New Imperial Charter

Issued by Kaiser Nicodemus I Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:32 am

(Note: This attempt at liberalisation brought down Nicodemus and lead to the restoration of Meskan II)

Here it is, tell me if you see any spelling mistakes, grammar inconsistencies, or places where I contradict myself:

Quote: Imperial Charter of the Land of Shireroth

Article I: The Kaiser.
...Section A: Definition of the Kaisership.
The Kaiser of Shireroth is the Supreme ruler, and Noble, of the Lands of Shireroth. The Kaisership may be held by both male and female rulers. A male ruler shall be known as a Kaiser, a female ruler shall be known as a Kaiseress. The term "Kaiser" may be used to refer to the Kaisership without regard to gender. This document shall use the masculine to refer to both genders.
...Section B: Powers of the Kaiser.
All supreme Executive, Legislative, and Judicial powers of Shireroth shall be vested in the Kaiser. The Kaiser may make any decree regarding the operation, behavior, functions and/or policy of Shireroth, as well as any actions he deems fit, as long as they do not violate this Charter. The Kaiser is the Supreme Commander of all Militia, Military, and/or any other armed forces within Shireroth and/or under Shireroth’s control. The Kaiser may delegate his powers to lesser officials known as Ministers. All Imperial Law, set down by the Kaiser shall be recorded in the Decreebook.
...Section C: Heir to the Throne.
The Kaiser, before the end of his life reign, must pick a successor from among all living individuals, eligible by birthright. Should the Kaiser die or abdicate the throne, the Kaisership shall pass to his successor. Should no heir have been chosen, the successor shall be the closest related, living individual eligible by birthright. The Kaiser may hold no citizenships outside of Shireroth.
...Section D: The Steward.
In times when a successor is below thirteen years of age, a Steward shall be appointed by a majority of the Landsraad, if there is no current Steward. A steward shall be appointed by the Kaiser or Landsraad should the Kaiser take temporary leave of his throne. Should the Kaiser have no stated heir, the Steward shall become the head of Shireroth until a successor can be found. Should no Steward be appointed at this time, the Landsraad shall convene and elect one. The Landsraad may also elect a Steward at anytime they feel one is necessary, with the approval of the Kaiser. The Kaiser may at anytime appoint or dismiss a Steward. The Steward of Shireroth shall be vested with the entire Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers of the Kaiser but may not repeal or amend Imperial Decrees of the Kaiser. When there is no Kaiser upon the throne the Steward may hold no other citizenship outside of Shireroth. The steward is subject to all restrictions placed upon the Kaiser by the Charter.
Article II: Landsraad.
...Section A: Powers of the Landsraad.
The Landsraad shall be vested, through the good grace of the Kaiser, with the legislative powers of Shireroth. The Landsraad may set its own rules for voting percentages and procedures, and internal decorum, without outside interference. Any bill, act, measure, dictate, statement or order passed, issued by, or put before the Landsraad may be vetoed by the Kaiser for any reason, at any time. The Kaiser may vest others with veto powers over the Landsraad, second only to the Kaiser. The Landsraad may take no action that violates this Charter, the Lawbook, or Imperial Decrees of the Kaiser. Neither the Landsraad, nor any body it creates, has authority or jurisdiction over the Kaiser or this Charter. All law set down by the Landsraad shall be recorded in the Lawbook. Every four months, the Landsraad shall also hold a Day of Review, when they shall make note of the performance of the Kaiser; if said performance is found to be unsatisfactory, the Landsraad may, with a unanimous vote, dethrone the Kaiser. Any law passed in Shireroth, with the exception of Imperial Decrees, shall require the approval of both Houses of the Landsraad as well as the Kaiser.
...Section B: Sessions of the Landsraad.
The Landsraad is hereby required to be in session for at least nine months of every year. Though the Kaiser may still dismiss the body, this may not impede the Landsraad’s ability to be in session for the prescribed amount of time. Should the Kaiser die or abdicate the throne, the Landsraad shall be automatically called to session. If there is neither a Kaiser nor a Steward, the Landsraad is automatically called to session.
...Section C: Members of the Landsraad.
The Landsraad shall be divided into two houses: the House of Lesser Nobles, which shall consist of all of the counts of the realm, and the house of Greater Nobles, which shall consist of all those nobles above the level of Count. Nobles may pick their own successor from among those eligible by birthright. Should no heir be available the Kaiser shall appoint the next Noble. The Kaiser has the power to create and destroy Sub-Divisions, as he sees fit. The Landsraad may remove a Sub-Division’s seat from the Landsraad, thereby disbanding the Subdivision completely and redefining the lands as necessary. The Kaiser has the power to reshape the borders of any Sub-Division, as he sees fit.
The Nobles of the Landsraad may allow non-Nobles to speak within the Landsraad, under procedures specified by the Landsraad. Nobles of Shireroth may not violate this Charter, Imperial Decrees, Landsraad Procedures, or the Lawbook.
...Section D: The Prætor
The Prætor of Shireroth shall be elected by both houses of the Landsraad, from among the Full-Citizens of the Land. The Prætor does not have to be a Noble of Shireroth. The Kaiser shall manage the election of the Prætor by the Landsraad, and shall act as Prætor of the Landsraad until one is immediately elected. The Kaiser may not fire, terminate, replace, or otherwise get rid of the Prætor without the consent of both houses of the Landsraad. The office of Prætor may not be dissolved.
The Prætor of Shireroth shall preside over the Landsraad as chairman. His purpose and duty shall be to call a meeting of the Landsraad to order, tally votes, close votes, generally manage, and keep order within the Landsraad; as well as keep records of all bills and resolutions passed during his tenure. The Landsraad may further specify the powers of the Prætor within the Landsraad. The Prætor may not violate this Charter, Imperial Decrees, Landsraad Procedures, or the Lawbook. The sole power to deny the Kaiser the right to edit this Charter shall be the Praetor’s.
Article III: The Arbiter
...Section A: Powers of The Arbiter
The Arbiter of Shireroth is vested with Judicial Powers second only to the Kaiser. The Arbiter is appointed by the Kaiser. The Arbiter may not be an officer of the Landsraad, the Kaiser, or the Steward. The Arbiter may be dismissed by the Kaiser or a 2/3rd vote of the Landsraad. The Arbiter will be the head of the Imperial Judex. The Precise operation and powers of the Judex and the Arbiter shall be specified by the Landsraad. Neither the Arbiter, nor Imperial Judex may violate this Charter, Imperial Decree or the Lawbook.
...Section B: Special Powers of The Arbiter
The Arbiter may overturn any act or resolution passed by the Landsraad should said act or resolution violate Imperial Decree or this Charter. The Arbiter may, with unanimous consent of the Landsraad and the Prætor, nullify any order or decree of the Kaiser, which violates this Charter. Other than those specified, the Arbiter has no authorities over the Kaiser.
Article IV: Amendments
...Section A: Amending The Charter.
The Kaiser may make amendments to this Charter at anytime, with the approval of the Prætor. Should there be no Prætor, the Landsraad must immediately elect one. This charter may not be abolished, dissolved or revoked. All amendments to this Charter must be documented.
Article V: Bill of Rights
No law passed in Shireroth, nor policy of any ministry shall infringe on the right of the citizen to freedom of speech, press, religion, and peaceable assembly, nor the right to petition the government, the right to protection against unreasonable search and seizure, the assurance of a fair and speedy public trial by a civil jury. Nor shall any citizen be made to testify against himself, nor be denied the due process of law. Private property shall not be appropriated by the government without due payment. Know as well that the listing of rights herein shall not be construed to deny rights not listed to the people. Woe and death to any who dare to attempt to repeal this Bill of Rights; for no government may suspend these, which are granted to human beings by the sheer qualification of humanity, and are subject to neither granting nor suspension by any authority of the earth.