The Imperial Charter of Shireroth (pre-2015)

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

Article I: The Imperial Republic

Section A: Definition

The Imperial Republic of Shireroth is a federal commonwealth united under the leadership of the Kaiser.

Section B: The Charter

The Imperial Republic is governed 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;

b) Imperial Lands.

2. Imperial States are defined and governed in accordance with Article V of the Charter.

3. Imperial Lands are territories under the direct administration of the Kaiser.

Section D: Common Citizenship

The Imperial Republic is united by a common Shirerithian citizenship. The citizens of those states comprising the Imperial Republic shall automatically receive Shirerithian citizenship unless otherwise noted.

Article II: The Kaiser and Steward

Section A: The Kaiser

1. The Kaiser, or Kaiseress if a woman, is the supreme head of the Imperial Republic.

2. The Kaiser issues Imperial Decrees for:

a) The direction of the foreign policy of the Imperial Republic;

b) The administration of the Imperial Lands;

c) The appointment and dismissal of the Ministers of the Imperial Government;

d) The command of the armed forces of the Imperial Republic in zir capacity as supreme commander-in-chief.

3. The Kaiser shall appoint zir successor from among the citizens of the Imperial Republic.

4. 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.

Section B: The Steward

1. The Steward of Shireroth is appointed by the Kaiser from among the citizens of the Imperial Republic.

2. In the absence of the Kaiser, the Steward performs the Kaiser’s duties.

3. Should there be no Steward when the Kaiser is absent or otherwise unable to perform zir duties, then the Landsraad shall immediately elect a Steward.

Article III: The Landsraad

Section A: Establishment

1. The Landsraad is an assembly comprising all citizens of the Imperial Republic.

2. The Landsraad is governed by the Charter and by its own rules of procedure, which it determines. Should the rules of procedure contradict the Charter, then the Charter shall automatically supersede the rules of procedure.

Section B: Powers

1. The Landsraad:

a) Legislates on matters of common concern to the Imperial States;

b) Levies those taxes deemed necessary for the functioning of the Imperial Republic;

c) Ratifies treaties with foreign powers.

2. The Landsraad may repeal an Imperial Decree of the reigning Kaiser by a three fourths’ majority vote.

Section C: The Prætor

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

2. The Prætor shall not vote in the Landsraad unless there is a tie, in which case zie shall cast the tie-breaking vote.

3. The Prætor is assisted by officers appointed by zir. These officers may lead and preside over the Landsraad in the absence of the Prætor but may not, under any circumstances, perform any of the Prætor's duties outside the Landsraad.

Article IV: The Imperial Judex

Section A: Judicature

The Imperial Judex is the supreme court of law of the Imperial Republic. It is charged with:

a) Upholding and interpreting the Charter and the common law of Shireroth;

b) Arbitrating disputes between Imperial States.

Section B: Compatibility

The Imperial Judex shall, upon application from an interested party, void any law or measure that violates the Charter.

Section C: Organisation

1. The Imperial Judex is headed by the Arbiter of the Imperial Judex. The Arbiter is nominated by the Kaiser and approved by the Landsraad.

2. The Arbiter may nominate Provosts of the Imperial Judex to act in zir stead in trials and regulations of the Imperial Judex.

3. The Arbiter may delegate any of zir judicial competencies to a Provost, but only the Arbiter may preside over or determine a case involving the Charter.

4. In all other respects, the Imperial Judex determines its own rules of procedure.

Article V: Imperial States

Section A: Definition

Imperial States are sovereign states in federal union with the Imperial Republic.

Section B: Local Sovereignty

1. Imperial States are sovereign in all matters not expressly reserved to other individuals or bodies by the Charter.

2. Imperial States make their own laws and select their own rulers from among their citizens, subject to the constraints of the Charter.

3. Imperial States determine their own borders. Territorial disputes between Imperial States shall be settled by the Imperial Judex.

Section C: Anti-Secession Law

Imperial States may not secede or otherwise leave the Imperial Republic except by a three fourths’ majority vote of the Landsraad and with the approval of the Kaiser. Any declaration of secession that does not meet these criteria shall be held to be null and void and the offending state shall be placed under the direct rule of the Kaiser until such time as the Landsraad and Kaiser decide its final fate.

Section D: Inactive Imperial States

Should an Imperial State show no activity for a period of one month, then that state shall be placed under the direct rule of the Kaiser until such time as the Landsraad and Kaiser decide its final fate.

Section E: Establishment and Disestablishment

1. New Imperial States may be established only by a simple majority vote of the Landsraad and with the approval of the Kaiser.

2. An active Imperial State may be disestablished only by its own ruler in accordance with its own laws.

a) An Imperial State that chooses to disestablish itself may allocate its territory and other property to one or more existing Imperial States.

b) Should an Imperial State disestablish itself without making proper legal provision for the allocation of its territory and other property, then its territory and other property shall revert to the Kaiser.

3. An Imperial State that is deemed to be inactive under Section D may be disestablished by a three fourths’ majority vote of the Landsraad and with the approval of the Kaiser.

Article VI: Final Provisions

Section A: Repeals

This Charter replaces the previous Imperial Charter of Shireroth in its entirety, including all laws passed under that Charter.

Section B: 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. All amendments shall be recorded.