Difference between revisions of "Imperial Code of Law (pre-4252)"

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(Note: if you were searching for older versions of the Lawbook, try Lawbook of Shireroth (pre-4028) or Lawbook of Shireroth (old)).

Contents

Chapter I: Legal Clarifications

Section A: Titles and Gender

Subsection 1: Gender-Inclusiveness

For the purpose of legal documents, titles which linguistically imply a single gender shall be interpreted to mean both genders.

Section B: Law Types

Subsection 1: Definition of Imperial Law

For the purposes of legal documents, the term "Imperial Law" shall be used to define all law, formal and informal, set down by the Kaiser, Landsraad, and Ministers.

Subsection 2: Purpose of the Lawbook

The formal, codified law of Shireroth shall be set down in this document, the Imperial Code of Law, hereafter referred to as the Lawbook.

Section C: Statements of the Kaiser

Subsection 1: Decrees

a. Imperial Decrees are written or verbal commands issued from the Kaiser to a citizen(s) of Shireroth.
b. Imperial Decrees are legally binding.
d. Imperial Decrees can be used to appoint officials, nobles or bestow honors, as well as any other action by the Kaiser
c. Imperial Decrees may be used to enact changes to this Lawbook, modify the Imperial Charter, or in any other manner consistent with both this Lawbook and the Imperial Charter.
d. Imperial Decrees may be issued by the Kaiser at will.

Subsection 2: Proclamations

a. Imperial Proclamations are official statements of opinion from the Kaiser.
b. Imperial Proclamations are not legally binding.
c. Imperial Proclamations do not establish law.

Section D: Statements of the Landsraad

Subsection 1: Statute Law

a. A statute, or Act of Landsraad, is an official written statement of the Landsraad that establishes permanent law by modifying this Lawbook.
b. The Landsraad may, in accordance with the Imperial Charter, enact statute law by procedures of its own choosing.

Subsection 2: Resolutions

a. Resolutions are official statements of opinion from the Landsraad.
b. Resolutions are not legally binding.
c. Resolutions do not establish law.
d. The Landsraad may, in accordance with the Imperial Charter, enact resolutions by procedures of its own choosing.

Section E: Non-Malicious Acts

Subsection 1: Consequences

Should anyone break a law, but do so either as part of a non-malicious act or for reasons that are obviously good ones and beneficial to the nation, they will not be considered guilty and will not be subject to the normal punishment.

Subsection 2: Definition

Whether a certain incident was part of a non-malicious act or beneficial to the nation will be under the discretion of whatever judiciary bodies exist at the time the incident took place, as well as the Kaiser.

Chapter II: The Kaiser

Section A: Succession of the Throne

Subsection 1: Heir

If the former Kaiser has appointed an heir, either by order or by an unequivocal statement of intent, the throne passes to that heir.

Subsection 2: Line of Succession

a. Should the former Kaiser have failed to appoint an heir, or if said heir is unable or unwilling to claim the throne within 4 days, the Adelsraad must immediately elect a new heir to the throne.
b. If the Adelsraad is unable to elect a new heir within 7 days then the Steward shall become heir to the throne.
c. Until a Kaiser is crowned, the Steward shall maintain the functions of government.

Subsection 3: Steward

a. If no Kaiser can be crowned using the rules for Succession, the throne passes to the Steward.
b. If no Steward is currently appointed, the Landsraad must immediately elect one.
c. The Steward may be a Dual Citizen if there is a Kaiser on the throne.
d. The Steward does not become Kaiser upon taking the throne, but merely rules in the place of a Kaiser until one is found.

Subsection 4: Claims to the Throne

a. If the Adelsraad is unable to elect an heir, the Steward either does not exist or is unable or unwilling to take the throne, and the Landsraad is unable to elect a Steward, then any citizen past their period of minority may take the throne if they can convince the nation to acknowledge their claim.

Subsection 5: Kaiserial Absence

a. If the Kaiser is absent for over two weeks, with absence being defined as failure to post to Shireroth or answer any queries, such as email, telephone, or IM about zir status, and has not declared a reason for zir absence such as LOA or vacation, the Kaiser is officially declared dead by Shirerithian law, and the succession process shall take place in the same manner as if the Kaiser had officially abdicated.
b. If there is no Kaiser, and a Steward is ruling Shireroth, then after two weeks of absence, the Steward will be officially declared dead by Shirerithian law and the Landsraad will have the right and duty to choose a new Steward.
c. If the Kaiser or Steward later returns, zie will not automatically regain zir position.

Section B: Administrative Rights

Subsection 1: Transfer of Sovereignty

When a sovereign nation joins Shireroth, it forfeits its sovereignty to the Kaiser.

Subsection 2: Administrative Status

The Kaiser, as it is His right and duty to be Sole Sovereign of the Nation, shall be given Admin privileges to any nation's board that becomes a Subdivision of Shireroth. Likewise, he may request Admin to any board belonging to any Duchy, Fief, or any other future form of sub-division, that already belongs to Shireroth.

Subsection 3: Refusal of Administrative Status

Refusal to grant admin to the Kaiser or his representative will be considered treason against the Kaiser, and the subdivision will be punished for such acts.

Section C: States of Emergency

Subsection 1: Definition

a. A State of Emergency shall exist if the nation of Shireroth comes under attack by a foreign power, terrorist organization or malicious rebellion of citizens.
b. If the State of Emergency is the Kaiser, we are all screwed.

Subsection 2: Rules of Succession

a. During a State of Emergency, the Chain of Command shall be used to determine who is in command of military forces.
b. Command shall fall to the highest listed member of the Chain of Command.
c. Should a higher member on the Chain of Command not be available, the next lowest member of the Chain of Command shall take Command.
d. Once a higher member in the Chain of Command is available, command shall transfer to them.

Subsection 3. Chain of Command

a. The Chain of Command of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth shall be as follows:

  • a.i. Kaiser of Shireroth.
  • a.ii. Steward of Shireroth.
  • a.iii. Minister of Military Affairs.
  • a.iv. Minister of the Exterior.
  • a.v. Prætor of Shireroth.
  • a.vi. Highest available military officer.
  • a.vii. First available minister.

Section D: Imperial Advisory Council

Subsection 1: Purpose

a. To advise the Kaiser on zir actions.
b. To suggest possible actions the Kaiser might wish to take.
c. To inform the Kaiser of matters within the realms of Shireroth, which the Kaiser may have otherwise not have known about.
d. To recommend to the Kaiser the awarding of honors to worthy citizens, and to perform any other function assigned to it by the Kaiser.

Section E: Economy

Subsection 1. The Crown Account

The Crown Account may not be drawn upon by the Kaiser for personal use.

Section F: Impersonating the Kaiser

Subsection 1: Illegality of Impersonation

It is against the law to impersonate the Kaiser.

Subsection 2: Punishments

a. Punishment will be upon capture, and may include but is not limited to any of the following:

  • a.i. Banning
  • a.ii. Public ridicule.
  • a.iii. Both of the above.

Subsection 3: Serving Up Justice

Justice will be served.

Subsection 4: A Friendly Warning

It is still legal to impersonate the Kaiser or pretend to the throne of the Kaiser if the real Kaiser says you can. But when the real Kaiser returns pretty much anything can happen, up to and including Civil Rec-war, decapitation of yourself and your lieutenants, the ravishment of your men and women, the burnings of your dwellings and animals, and the merciless slaughter of your supporters.

Chapter III: Nobles

Section A: Requirements and Ranks

Subsection 1: Citizenship Requirements

a. A Noble of Shireroth must be a citizen of Shireroth.
b. Titles may have lands associated with them, held in fief.
c. These lands will pass with the title, to an heir, if the title itself can be inherited.

Subsection 2: Noble Rank

a. There shall exist a tier of Noble Ranks in Shireroth and all individuals who are bestowed a title within these ranks shall be considered a Noble.
b. The Kaiser shall be at the apex of this tier, as the Supreme Noble of Shireroth, as outlined in the Imperial Charter.
c. The rank of Major Noble shall exist directly beneath the rank of Kaiser. A Major Noble uses the title of Duke.
d. The rank of Minor Noble shall exist directly beneath the rank of Major Noble. A Minor Noble is lower then a Duke, most likely a Count or Baron.

Section B: Granting and Revoking Titles

Subsection 1: Granting Titles

The Landsraad may bestow a title of rank up to that of Minor Noble.

Subsection 2: Revoking Titles

The Landsraad may revoke a title of rank up to that of Minor Noble.

Section C: Powers and Restrictions

Subsection 1: Powers

a. A Noble has complete power to do whatever zie wishes within zir fief, within zir restrictions.
b. Any Noble may place restrictions upon nobles of lesser rank within zir fief.
c. A Noble may relinquish all or some of zir powers to the internal institutions or individuals of zir fief. Should a duke remove powers in so far as to not be able to regain them through those powers remaining, only the Kaiser may reinstate the relinquished powers, unilaterally.

Subsection 2: Restrictions

a. No Noble may violate Imperial law.
b. No Noble may conduct significant foreign policy.
c. No Noble may call for the overthrow of the government.
d. No Noble may secede from Shireroth.
e. A Noble's powers affect only zir fief and those within.

Section D: Ruling Nobles and Honourary Nobles

Subsection 1: Ruling Nobles

a. Any Noble appointed by the Kaiser, or who inherited their title, shall be known as the "Ruling Noble" of their respective House and associated lands.
b. A Ruling Noble may override any decision or action made by any of his Honourary Nobles.

Subsection 2: Honourary Nobles

a. The spouse of a Ruling Noble may be granted a title of Nobility of the same level and power over the same realm as the Ruling Noble. Such nobles shall be known as "Honourary Nobles".
b. Honourary Nobles may have all the powers of their Ruling Noble except the Landsraad vote.
c. In the case of a Ruling Noble's absence, if he has any Honourary Nobles, the primary shall be automatically considered his emissary if no emissary has been previously established.
d. These clauses may vary due to prenuptial agreements.

Chapter IV: Ministries

Section A: General Provisions

Subsection 1: Definitions

a. The executive and administrative powers of the Kaiser may be delegated to Ministries with various areas of responsibility.
b. Each Ministry shall be headed by a Minister.

Subsection 2: Accountability

a. The Ministers of Shireroth are answerable to the Kaiser directly.
b. The Ministers of Shireroth are vested with their powers by the Kaiser.

Subsection 3: Creation and Destruction

The Kaiser and the Landsraad may both appoint and dismiss ministers at will; and create and destroy ministries at will.

Subsection 4: Jurisdiction

Ministers have complete control of affairs that fall under the jurisdiction of their Ministry.

Section B: Requirements

Subsection 1: Citizenship

a. A Minister of Shireroth must be a citizen of Shireroth.
b. A Minister of Shireroth shall not be a minor as defined by the Ministry of Immigration and Naturalization.

Section C: Ministry of Information

Subsection 1: Access and Fiscal Requirements

The Minister of Information shall be given Sysop access in the ShireWiki, access to update Malarbor announcements or to arrange for updates by others, and a budget set by MiniTrade for outsourcing ministerial duties as necessary.

Subsection 2: Wiki and Malarbox Duties

The Minister of Information shall be the chief editor of both the ShireWiki and of the Malarbor announcement box, with final say over their contents and possible disputes thereover.

Subsection 3: Department of Research and Education

The Ministry of Information shall maintain a Department of Research and Education for the organization and development of national culture, technology, and education.

D. Minister of Trade

Subsection 1: General Duties

The job of the Minister of Trade (hereafter referred simply as "the minister") is to see to all economic affairs within Shireroth, and maintain the Shirithian Imperial Treasury.

Subsection 2: Specific Duties

a. In cases dealing with procedure, the Minister of Trade shall act as director and comptroller of the functioning of the economic system.
b. The minister shall promote the use of the economic system and devise of new ways to implement it.
c. The minister shall act as the authority for registering businesses and shall ensure the correct procedures are followed by said companies.
d. The minister is warranted to conduct any financial investigations, and warranted to audit accounts registered in The Imperial Republic Of Shireroth. Any judgment issued by the minister under this section may be appealed to the Imperial Judex.

E. Minister of Immigration And Naturalization

Subsection 1: General Duties

The job of the Minister of Immigration and Naturalization shall be to maintain a means by which individuals may immigrate to and become citizens of Shireroth. The minister is vested with the responsibility of maintaining an up to date record of the citizenry of Shireroth. The Ministry of Immigration and Naturalization shall be vested with the duty of maintaining a periodic census of the population of Shireroth.

Subsection 2: Citizen Allocation

If a new citizen applies, and leaves their preferred Subdivision choice as "Undecided" or empty, or does not otherwise specify a home territory, the Minister of Immigration has a duty to allocate the new citizen a place in an underpopulated Duchy or Fief. However, this in no way enables the Minister of Immigration force immigrants to join Duchies or Fiefs against their will, nor shall they be forced to leave any Duchy or Fief.

Subsection 3: Consequences of Census Non-Fulfillment

No citizen of Shireroth will lose noble rank nor a position solely on the basis of failure to fill out a census form, though this may be taken into consideration if the appropriate superior is deciding whether or not to retain zir.

Subsection 4: Loss of Citizenship

No citizen of Shireroth will lose citizenship solely on the basis of failure to fill out a census form, nor by any other means save Kaiserial decree, voluntary emigration, or violation of the Tri-Cit Law.

Subsection 5: Citizen Status Tracking

It is both permissible and encouraged for the Census to keep track of active and inactive citizens.

Subsection 6: Provision for Honorary Citizens

In the event that a person outside of Shireroth has been granted honorary citizenship, and zie decides to immigrate / re-immigrate to Shireroth, zie must fill out an immigration form to announce zir arrival / return, and shall become a full citizen immediately upon receipt of zir immigration form by the Minister of Immigration and Naturalization.

F. Ministry of the Exterior

Subsection 1: Duties

The job of the Minister of the Exterior shall be to establish and maintain communications with bodies and/or nations outside the bounds of Shireroth. The Minster shall be vested with the power and responsibility of negotiating with foreign powers, and presenting the outcome of said negotiations to the Kaiser and/or Landsraad.

G. Assistant Ministers

Subsection 1: Appointment

Assistant Ministers are appointed, following standard Landsraad procedure for a bill, to a specific Ministry to help that Minister in his duties and also to take over that Ministry should the current Minister request it, be absent without notice for a period exceeding two weeks, or be found lacking by the Landsraad.

Chapter V: The Landsraad and Adelsraad

Section A: The Landsraad

Subsection 1: Definitions

a. The Landsraad is the highest legislative chamber within Shireroth, next to the Kaiser. b. The Praetor is the chairman of the Landsraad. c. Everything concerning the powers and content of the Landsraad can be read in the Charter.

Section B: The Adelsraad

Subsection 1: Definitions

a. The Adelsraad is a council which can veto Imperial Decrees and law changes by the Landsraad. b. The Adelsraad is chaired by the Kaiser and in his absence the Steward. c. The Adelsraad consists of one representative from each duchy, most likely the Duke.


Subsection 2: Amendments and Veto Power

a. The Adelsraad can propose amendments to the Charter with the backing of Praetor and Arbiter. b. The Adelsraad can veto law changes made by the Landsraad and can veto Imperial Decrees. c. The Landsraad can overrule a veto with 3/4rd support. d. The Adelsraad can depose a bad Kaiser but has to find 3/4rd support in the Landsraad.

Subsection 3: Procedures

a. Each member of the Adelsraad has one vote. b. All votes must be unanimous on all issues. c. The Kaiser has no vote except if zie is a representative of a Duchy.

Chapter VI: The Judex System

Section A: The Judex

Subsection 1: Definitions

a. The Judex is the system of Courts within the nation of Shireroth.
b. The Arbiter is the officer of the Judex who deals with all cases not solely within the purview of a House or Fief, the Arbiter holds court in the Judex forum.
c. Ruling Nobles act as Arbiter for their House and have jurisdiction on any case solely within their House, they hold court in their House forum.
d. Lesser Nobles act as Arbiter for their Fief and have jurisdiction on any case solely within their Fief, they hold court in their forum.

Section B: The Arbiter

Subsection 1: Method of Appointment

The Arbiter is appointed by the Kaiser.

Subsection 2: Dismissal

The Arbiter can be dismissed by a 2/3's vote of the Landsraad.

Subsection 3: Restrictions

The Arbiter cannot be an officer of the Landsraad.

Subsection 4: Upholding the Charter

a. Any law that violates the Charter of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth and that is brought before the Arbiter in an actual case can be overturned and stricken from the lawbook by the Arbiter.

  • a.i. For the purposes of Sections B.1 through B.4, the Arbiter refers only to the officer known as the Arbiter and not to Dukes nor Lesser Nobles.

b. Only the Kaiser can overturn the Arbiter's decision on a law.
c. The Landsraad may not propose and pass the exact bill that has been overturned by the Arbiter.
d. The Arbiter has the ability to submit a Writ of Dissolution to the Kaiser, the Writ of Dissolution is a request that the Landsraad be dissolved for an indefinite period of time due to violation of the law and the Charter of Shireroth, when in violation of Section B.5, subsection c.

Subsection 5: Assistant Arbiter

a. The Arbiter may, with the consent of the Kaiser, appoint an Assistant Arbiter.
b. The Assistant Arbiter is to assist the Arbiter on cases, issue preliminary opinions on matters brought before the court, and to provide an additional point of view on cases.
c. The Assistant Arbiter shall act in stead of the Arbiter should the Arbiter not be available.
d. The Assistant Arbiter shall hear any case the Arbiter is unable or unwilling to hear.
e. When acting as Arbiter in the manner stated in b. and c., the Assistant Arbiter shall have all powers and duties of the Arbiter.
f. In 5.b., "not be available", and 5.c. "unable", shall be considered to mean either a stated leave of absence or if the Arbiter does not, within 48 hours, reply to an official question or case put before him.

Section C. Trials

Subsection 1: Terms

a. The person who initiates the action before the court is the Plaintiff.
b. If the Plaintiff is the Imperial government, an Imperial Inquisitor may be appointed.
c. The person required to answer the action before the court is the Defendant.
d. Any person brought by a Plaintiff or Defendant to give statement is a witness.
e. Only a citizen who is licensed by the Imperial Judex to practice law may charge money for their services as an Advocate or an Imperial Inquisitor.
f. The Arbiter in a court action may not be contracted as an Advocate, or appointed as an Imperial Inquisitor, in the same or a related court action.

Subsection 2: Choice of Representation

Plaintiffs and Defendants may either speak on their own behalf, or contract an Advocate to speak on their behalf.

Subsection 3: Evidence

a. Plaintiffs and Defendants may produce evidence.
b. Evidence may be any object pertinent to the case, under all circumstances pertinent is left to the will of the Arbiter.

Subsection 4: Penalties of Conviction

The punishment for those convicted of crimes in Shireroth shall be the ordeal, set by the court.

Subsection 5: Pones

a. A pone is a writ to move the case to a higher court, any Defendant may file a pone subject to the following restrictions.
b. The Arbiter to whom's jurisdiction the case would be moved, rules on the pone.

Subsection 6: Appeals

a. A convicted Defendant, or a Plaintiff whose case failed, can submit a writ of appeal to the Arbiter directly superior to the Arbiter that convicted them, wherein they shall receive a new trial before the new Arbiter.
b. The new trial is at the discretion of the Arbiter with whom the writ of appeal has been filed.
c. If an Arbiter refuses to hear a writ of appeal and grant a new trial, the writ can be refiled into the court of the next highest Arbiter.
d. There is no appeal from a decision by the Kaiser.

Section D: Oaths

Subsection 1: Bearing Witness

Any member of the Judex system may bear witness to an oath sworn in the Imperial Republic of Shireroth.

Subsection 2: Consequences of Oathbreaking

The penalty for breaking a sworn Oath shall be whatever deemed appropriate by the witnessing official or shall be whatever was set and agreed upon in the Oath itself.

Subsection 3: Legal Effect

Once sworn by both parties and before a member of the Judex system, Oaths hold the weight of Imperial Law as a binding contract and agreement between the two parties.

Chapter VII: Punishments

Section A: Banishment and Exile

Subsection 1: Banishment

a. The Kaiser and Arbiter may temporarily banish an individual from the lands of Shireroth.
b. Banishment is not permanent.

Subsection 2: Exile

a. The Kaiser may permanently exile an individual from the lands of Shireroth. b. Exile is permanent.

Section B: Censorship

Subsection 1: Posting Restriction

The Kaiser and Arbiter may restrict the posting limit of an individual in the Lands of Shireroth.

Subsection 2: Non-Utterance

The Kaiser may cause it so that an individual's name may not be uttered within the Lands of Shireroth.

Section C: Economic

Subsection 1: Monetary Fines

a. The Kaiser and Arbiter may impose monetary fines upon individuals.
b. Monetary Fines shall be collected only in the currency of Shireroth, which is the Erb.

Subsection 2: Relievement

a. The Kaiser has the power to relieve an individual of all their monetary assets within the Lands of Shireroth.
b. Monetary assets shall only consist of the currency of Shireroth and Shirerithian lands held by the individual.

Section D: Removal of Title

Subsection 1: Dethroning

a. The Kaiser and Landsraad have the power to dethrone a noble.
b. The Landsraad must show good reason for dethronement before it may dethrone a noble.
c. Dethroned nobles are done so in disgrace.

Subsection 2: Removal from Office

a. The Kaiser, Landsraad and Arbiter have the power to remove a Minister, Prætor or other government official from office.
b. The Kaiser and the Arbiter alone have the power to remove the Steward from office. The Arbiter is only assigned this power should there be no Kaiser.
c. The Arbiter may only remove individuals from office for grievous abuse of the powers appointed them or grievous misconduct.

Section E: Further Punishment

Subsection 1: Physical Punishments

a. No physical punishments may be issued upon an individual.
b. Death cannot be sought as a punishment.

Chapter VIII: Land

Section A: Territory

Subsection 1: Definition

The territory of Shireroth is the claim that from time to time is filed with the Micronational Cartography Society.

Subsection 2: Modification of National Borders

An expansion, reduction or other modifications to the national borders of Shireroth may only be decided by the Kaiser or the Landsraad.

Subsection 3: Modification of Internal Borders

a. Modifications that do not affect the national borders of Shireroth and is completely within one Duchy, may be decided and communicated to the MCS by the Duke.

  • a.i. The Duke may delegate this authority to any subordinate.

b. Modifications that affect two or more Duchies but do not affect the national borders, may be decided on by the Dukes of the involved Duchies and communicated to the MCS.

Subsection 4: Notification

All territorial modifications must be notified to the ministry in charge of cartography.

Section B: Land Management

Subsection 1: Directorate of Cartography

a. There shall exist within the Ministry of Information a Directorate of Cartography.
b. The Director of Cartography shall be appointed by the Minister of Information.
c. The Directorate of Cartography shall be responsible with notifying the MSC of any land changes within or concerning Shireroth.
d. The Director shall be responsible with the maintenance of a map for the entire empire.

Section C. Imperial County

Subsection 1: Territory

The Imperial County consists of the City of Shirekeep and the surrounding area, as well as the Skyla islands.

Subsection 2: Governance

a. The Imperial County is governed by the Lord Mayor of Shirekeep.
b. The Lord Mayor is tasked with the development of the Imperial County, and especially the capital of our great Empire, Shirekeep.
c. The Lord Mayor is directly subordinate to the Kaiser and appointed directly by the Kaiser.
d. The Lord Mayor has the privilege to write Edicts that apply to the Imperial County and its governance.

Section D: Holy Land

Subsection 1: List of Holy Lands

a. The following lands shall be known as Shirerithian Holy lands:

Subsection 2: Isle of Naudia'Diva

a. In addition to being holy ground, Naudia'Diva shall be Shireroth's first National Game Preserve, Wildlife Refuge, and Sacred Hunting Ground.
b. A Temple to Horjin shall be built at its center.

Section E: Sectors

Subsection 1. Recognition of Sectors

Shireroth shall not recognize the use of Sectors as a Micronational geographic or cultural subdivision. Nor shall it reside in any sector. Nor shall any duchy or territory be considered a part of ANY sector unless the Duchy or Territory expressly grants permission to be considered in such sector.

Section F: Dominions

Subsection 1: Definition

Dominions are considered autonomous regions of Shireroth.

Subsection 2: Fora and Flags

Each Dominion may be granted a forum with its flag and a link to its own board.

Subsection 3: Government

Except when stated otherwise in a Treaty of Annexation, Dominions are considered under the direct supervision of the Kaiser, who may choose to control them directly, or to appoint a Governor.

Subsection 4: Citizenship

Citizens and Nobles of Dominions are considered citizens of Shireroth.

Subsection 5: Treaty Responsibilities

Any provisions outlined in a Treaty of Annexation must be upheld by the Imperial Government and the Dominion.

Section G. Protectorates

Subsection 1: Definition

Protectorates are those states and nations that are under the protection of Shireroth, but remain officially independent. The defense and foreign relations of a Protectorate shall be handled by Shireroth, but internal government shall remain untouched.

Subsection 2: Citizenship

Citizens of a Protectorate do not automatically attain citizenship in the Imperial Republic upon the acquisition of Protectorate status.

Subsection 3: Resumption of Sovereignty

Any nation granted Protectorate status may choose to have that status lifted at any time after due consultation with the MiniEx and MoMA.

Chapter IX: Electronic Holdings

Section A: Archives and Records

Subsection 1: Mandatory Archival

a. All ministers and Nobles are to backup/archive all important threads, posts, orders, decrees or discussions under their jurisdiction.
b. Hard-drive backups should be made of all important documents.

Section B: Posting Privileges and Restrictions

Subsection 1: Posting Privileges

All micronationalists who have not been convicted of a crime in Shireroth, deemed unusually annoying or threatening to state security will be allowed to make an unlimited number of posts. Any DEFCON status declaration by the military above the lowest level will invalidate this provision until the DEFCON status is lowered back to normal.

Section C: Website

Subsection 1: ShireWiki

The website of Shireroth shall be called ShireWiki. It shall be implemented by means of MediaWiki or other available Wiki software.

Subsection 2: Front Page

ShireWiki shall be the front page of shireroth.org.

Subsection 3: ShireWiki Editing Rights

a. Every denizen may edit ShireWiki, pursuant to the following restrictions:

  • a.i. Denizens shall not knowingly publish false information on ShireWiki, unless it is necessary for the implementation of an evil scheme.
  • a.ii. Denizens shall not publish on ShireWiki defamatory, pornographic, libelous, fraudulent or any other kind of material that would land us into legal trouble.

Subsection 4: Submissions to ShireWiki

a.The scope of ShireWiki shall be Shirithian affairs. ShireWiki pages not related to Shireroth shall be submitted to MicroWiki, hosted by micronations.net, and removed from ShireWiki by any denizen.
b. The submission of information to MicroWiki shall be conducted by the rules and guidelines of MicroWiki. Information that already exists on MicroWiki need not be duplicated and can be directly removed from ShireWiki.

Section D: Forums

Subsection 1: Board Location

a.The official Message Board of Shireroth shall be hosted at http://bastionunion.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=14. The Imperial Government, all of the Duchies, and other Shirithian functions, shall be hosted on this board.
b. If the Message Board of Shireroth is moved to a different URL, Shirerithian citizens with knowledge about the move must make a reasonable effort that all Shirithian citizens and denizens will know about the new URL.

Subsection 2: Organization

a. The Message Board of Shireroth shall be divided into categories, forums, and subforums.
b. Each forum shall have a Forum Leader, who shall be given moderatorship over the forum, and authority to create subforums and choose other forum leaders within the forum as they will. Forums and forum leaders may also be changed freely by Landsraad legislation or Imperial Decrees.

  • b.i. The leader of a forum shall also be the leader of all of its subforums.

c. Forum leaders may choose the names, themes, forum images, and any other settings for their forum, within the limits of the law and regulations, including regulations set by forum leaders above them.
e. Unless otherwise noted, forums shall be visible from the board front page. Forum leaders have authority to decide on the visibility of their forums.

Subsection 3: Mandated Fora and Categories

a. A General category, containing General Discussion, and Shrine of Controversy.

  • a.i. The Kaiser of Shireroth shall be the leader of General Discussion.

b. A Government category, containing Kaiser's Court, The Adelsraad, The Landsraad, and Imperial Judex. The Landsraad shall have subforums Landsraad Passed Bills, and Landsraad Archives. c. A Ministry Row category. Each Ministry of Shireroth shall have a forum. Ministers shall be leaders in their respective ministry forums.
d. A Shirekeep City Center category. Forums and forum leaders shall be decided on by the Board Administrators.
e. A Military category. Forums and forum leaders shall be decided on by the Board Administrators.
f. A Subdivisions category. Each Duchy shall have a forum. Dukes shall be leaders in their respective Duchies, and may choose their subforums, moderators, and forum visibility policy as they see fit. However, in case they have no local policy, the default policy shall be as follows:

  • f.i. Each Fief has the right to a subforum under its Duchy's forum, with the Lesser Noble as its forum leader.
  • f.ii. Each County gets a subforum under its Fief's forum, with the Count as its forum leader.
  • f.iii. County forums shall not be visible from the board front page if they have neither a count nor any interesting activity, as decided on by the Board Administrators.

h. An Archives category, containing all archived forums.

Subsection 4: Board Administrators and Fora

Board Administrators may create, change and archive forums and categories as will, as permitted by the board software given their administrative privileges. They are considered leaders of each forum, but are not marked as moderator unless they would otherwise be so marked. Forums whose existence is specifically legislated may not be archived or destroyed by Board Administrators.

Chapter X: Citizenship

Section A: Basic Citizenship

Subsection 1: Definitions

a. A denizen is any individual within the borders of Shireroth.
b. A citizen is a denizen of Shireroth who has been granted citizenship status and the privileges there in by the Ministry of Immigration and Naturalization, and/or the Kaiser.
c. Individuals cannot hold Citizenship in a subdivision. Individuals are Citizens of the Empire of Shireroth and Residents of a Subdivision.

Subsection 2: Citizenship Regulations

Regulations upon the acquisition of citizenship shall be established and maintained by the Ministry of Immigration and Naturalizations.

Section B: Tri-Citizenship Restriction

Subsection 1: Definition

Citizens of Shireroth are allowed only three national allegiances including Shireroth. When applying for citizenship, an individual must have two or less citizenship, else they will be denied citizenship.

Subsection 2: Violations and Consequences

a. If a citizen comes into violation of these requirements, he/she must remedy the situation within one Shirerithian week. (14 days).
b. If in this time the violation has not been remedied, the offending individual shall have their citizenship removed.

Section C: Hostile Nations Citizenship Restriction

Subsection 1: Citizenship in Hostile Nations

No citizen may retain Dual-Citizenship within any nation that the Imperial Republic of Shireroth has declared War upon, or is considered hostile to the nation of Shireroth.

Section D: Residency

Subsection 1: Place of Residence

Each Shirithian citizen may choose a specific place of residence for zirself. Zie may specify down to any level so far as city, but if the specification of city is not made, then zie shall officially reside in the capital city of the lowest subdivision specified.

Chapter X: Economy

Section A: Interpretation

Subsection 1: Authority of Interpretation

a. The authority of interpretation of this chapter rests in the following offices, in descending order:

  • a.i. The Kaiser
  • a.ii. The Arbiter
  • a.iii. The Minister of Trade

Subsection 2: Imperial Treasury

a. The Shirithian Imperial Treasury shall act as the account of the Imperial Government.
b. The sum funds residing in The Shirithian Imperial Treasury are reserved for the purpose of government spending.

Section B: Currency

Subsection 1: National Currency

The national unit of currency used in The Imperial Republic Of Shireroth shall be known as "The Erb".

Subsection 2: Local Currencies

In promotion of our feudal society and government, Duchies may have a local unit of currency when approved by the Kaiser for the purpose of developing the economy of the Duchy.

Section C: Distribution of Money

Subsection 1: Initial Bounty

All new citizens shall receive a bounty from the Ministry of Trade upon joining Shireroth.

Subsection 2: Reclamation of Funds

The Ministry of Trade shall issue regulations regarding procedure when an account holder is declared legally dead or has zir citizenship revoked.

Subsection 3: Bounties

The Ministry of Trade is empowered to distribute further money by means of paying bounties.

Section D: Companies

Subsection 1: Corporate Regulation

The Ministry of Trade shall issue regulations concerning the operation of companies in Shireroth.

Section E: Official Bank

Subsection 1: Small Commonwealth Bank

The Small Commonwealth Bank is the official bank of Shireroth.

Section F: Financial Privacy

Subsection 1: Disclosure

a. Any financial records, statements, or statistics pertaining to an individual citizen of Shireroth, including those of their accounts in the Small Commonwealth Bank, shall not be made or permitted to be made available to the public except by the sole discretion and action of that citizen.

  • a.i. Exceptions may be made during the course of a case before the Imperial Judex, if said financial information is relevant as evidence.
  • a.ii. Any said financial records, statements, or statistics shall still be available as needed to officials in the Imperial Government.

Subsection 2: Anonymous Accounts

The preceding section shall not necessarily apply to any presentation of financial records, statements, or statistics in which individuals are not explicitly identified.

Section G: Taxation

Subsection 1: Authority to Levy Taxes

a. The Kaiser, Minister of Trade and Landsraad all have the authority to levy taxes upon citizens or Houses of the land.
b. The patron of a house may levy taxes upon those within their house.
c. Those holding a land in fief may levy taxes upon any who reside within their lands.

Subsection 2: Land Tax

a. When a land taxation is levied by the Imperial Government, each holder of land-in-fief shall pay 25€ for each county that zie holds.
b. If a county is held directly by a house, or is tied to a title, the holder of that title, or patron of the house, must pay the tax.
c. This tax must be paid by the individual, or their respective house, to the Imperial Treasury within 14 days.
d. If the tax upon a county is not paid within the allotted time it is placed up for auction by the Imperial Government, administered by the Minister of Trade, with all proceeds going to the Imperial Treasury, or the land may be directly seized by the Imperial Government.
e. Lands purchased at auction in this manner are transferred to the purchaser and granted in fief to them by the Imperial Government.

Section H: Guilds

Subsection 1: Recognition

A system of guilds shall be introduced in Shireroth. Any specific area of economic activity may apply to the Ministry of Trade to be recognised as a guild.

Subsection 2: Rights and Limitations

a. Guilds will be limited to a specific area of economic activity, but within that area are allowed to require qualifications for membership with a basic framework drawn up by the Ministry of Trade. Guild members are also the only people allowed to charge for the service they render.
b. If membership qualifications are deemed excessive by the Ministry of Trade they may be changed by the Ministry.

Subsection 3: Disbanding

If at any point Guild has no remaining members, it will be disbanded.

Chapter XII: Honors and Awards

Section A: Definitions

Subsection 1: Types of Honors

a. Shireroth will have two types of honors: awards and knighthoods.
b. Awards will generally be given for achievement in specific areas, and knighthoods for general excellence.

Subsection 2: Bestowment

a. All knighthoods will be given by the Kaiser, although the Landsraad may vote to give a recommendation to the Kaiser on who should receive a knighthood.
b. The Kaiser and the Landsraad may each bestow awards of their own, or an award may be permitted to be bestowed by either.
c. All honors bestowed shall be recorded in the "Roll of Honor", recording the name of the recipient, the year of the bestowment (in ASC), as well as a reason for the bestowment, when applicable.

Section B: Awards

Subsection 1: Celestis Award

a. The Celestis Award, which honours Fax Celestis, will be given to those who show their dedication to the Republic by promoting immigration, advertising the community, and bringing new citizens into Shireroth.
b. The award may be given multiple times to the same person.
c. The award may not be given ex post facto.
d. The recipients shall be given a small but tasteful Celestis Award in their title block.

Subsection 2: Gold Sword

a. The Gold Sword is given to military personnel who distinguish themselves in military actions.
b. Only the Kaiser may bestow this award.

Subsection 3: Silver Sword

a. The Silver Sword is given to citizens not in the military who nevertheless distinguish themselves in some way in the defense of Shireroth or in combat.
b. Only the Kaiser may bestow this award.

Subsection 4: Bronze Sword

a. The Bronze Sword is given to foreigners who aid Shireroth militarily in some way.
b. Only the Kaiser may bestow this award.

Subsection 5: Red Dragon Award

a. The Red Dragon Award is given to an individual who has performed a specific exceptional achievement for the betterment of Shireroth.
b. The Red Dragon Award may be given to a single individual multiple times.

Subsection 6. The Swan Award

a. The Swan Award is given to any Shirerithian individual or subdivision for a high level of activity that brings the whole of Shireroth forward. This activity can be cultural, political, in the military, or any other area.
b. The Swan is divided into three classes; Golden, Silver and Bronze.
c. The Swan Award may be given to the same individual or subdivision multiple times.
d. The individual that receives this award, or the ruler of the subdivision, may decide in what way to display this award in an appropriate manner.
e. Only the Kaiser may bestow this award.

Subsection 8. Kaiser's Prize for Literature

1. The Kaiser's Prize for Literature will be given to one person a year who has contributed in the most significant fashion to Shireroth's literary holdings, in any form.
2. The Winner of the Prize will be named Poet Laureate of Shireroth for the year.
3. The Prize may be given to the same person on multiple occasions, if they deserve it.
4. The Poet Laureate shall be given bragging rights and the right to a "Poet Laureate of Shireroth" line in their signature.

Section C: Order of Kampioens

Subsection 1: Definition

a. The Order of Kampioens is a military order created to form a fraternal bond between those most committed to protecting the nation.
b. The head of the order is the Prime Kampioen and zie may induct new members whenever zie wishes with the permission of the Kaiser.
d. A member of the order is called a Knight Kampioen.

Section D: Order of the Dragon

Subsection 1: Definition

a. The Order of the Dragon honors citizens of Shireroth who have been exemplary citizens or done some great act worthy of high praise.
b. The head of the order is the Kaiser, and zie may induct one new member per month, with the only exception being when multiple people are inducted for the same achievement.
c. The Order is divided into three classes, from highest to lowest: Knight, Companion and Member. All new members are inducted into the lowest class, although there can be exceptional cases.
d. Only members of the highest class may be called a Knight of the Dragon.

Section E: Order of the Griffin

Subsection 1: Limitation of Admittance

The Kaiser may admit any person who is not a Citizen of Shireroth to the Order if zie sees it fit to do so, so long as no more than one individual is admitted per month.

Subsection 2: Admittance

The Kaiser of Shireroth alone shall be allowed the privilege to enroll persons in the Order of the Griffin.

Subsection 3: Expulsion

The Kaiser may expel any members from the Order if zie sees it fit to do so.

Subsection 4: Non-Allegiance

Members of the Order of the Griffin shall not be compelled to swear an oath, nor should any oath or pledge be written.

Subsection 5: Non-Evil

No secret codes or agendas shall be created, followed or permitted.

Subsection 6: Non-Denominational

Admittance shall be secular. No church shall have any pull on the Order.

Section F: Order of the Chimera

Subsection 1: Definition

a. The Order of the Chimera honors those who are not and never have been citizens of any micronation, but are nevertheless deserving of praise.
b. It may be given either to people who have helped Shireroth despite not being part of it or to macronational politicians and celebrities of whose work Shireroth strongly approves.
c. The head of the order is the Kaiser, and zie may induct one new member per month, with the only exception being when multiple people are inducted for the same achievement.
d. Those inducted into this order may be called a Knight of the Chimera.

Section G: Order of the Phoenix

Subsection 1: Definition

a. The Order of the Phoenix honors those who were once part of micronationalism but have gone on to other things, and has nothing whatsoever to do with Harry Potter.
b. It may be given either to former Shirerithians or to former foreigners, and may be a present from the Kaiser to a citizen who emigrates after a distinguished career.
c. The head of the order is the Kaiser, and zie may induct one new member per month, with the only exception being when multiple people are inducted for the same achievement.
d. Those inducted into this order may be called a Knight of the Phoenix, although unofficially, due to their status as micronationally "dead" but with a legacy that lives on, they may be called a Knight of the Living Dead.

Chapter XIII: Other Laws of the Land

Section A: Official Symbols

Subsection 1: Official Fruit

The mango is the official fruit of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth.

Subsection 2: Official Animal

The Shirerithian Blue Moose is the official animal of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth.

Subsection 3: National Flag

The national flag of Shireroth is a cross of green and brown intersecting a saltire of red and yellow with a white square-like shape in the center upon a blue field, like so.

Subsection 4: Official Patron God

Malarbor is the official Patron God of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth.

Section B: Military Action

Subsection 1: Restriction of Military Action

No citizen may take Military Action outside the borders of Shireroth, against any foreign power without consent from the Imperial Government.

Section C: Political Parties

Subsection 1: Prohibition

a. Political parties are banned from Shireroth.
b. Any denizen of Shireroth who creates a Political Party is liable to punishment by the Landsraad and/or Judex.

Subsection 2: Political Interest Groups

Political Interest Groups are a form of political party.

Section D: Rebellion

Subsection 1: Consequences of Rebellion

a. Rebellion to overthrow a legitimate Kaiser, Duke, or Lesser Noble is prohibited.
b. The maximum penalty for this offense shall be honorary Yardistani citizenship and consideration for induction into the Lodge of Mischevious Intent.

Subsection 2: Disruption of the Forum

a. Any rebellion that becomes a nuisance or a disruption to ordinary public life can be charged with the separate crime of Disrupting the Forum.
b. The penalty for Disrupting the Forum can be a warning, a fine, or a ban.
c. The penalty for repeat offense in this category can be anything up to exile from Shireroth.
d. If a rebellion continues for more than one month, the Arbiter may at his judgment deem it Disruptive to the Forum.

Section E: Treason

Subsection 1: Definition

a. Acts of Treason include but are not restricted to the following:

  • a.i. Any act of secession from the lands of Shireroth as a whole.
  • a.ii. Disobeying or disregarding a direct order from the Kaiser.

Subsection 2: Punishments

a. Punishments for Treason may include but are not limited to the following:

  • a.i. Complete Exile from the lands of Shireroth.
  • a.ii. Loss of citizenship.
  • a.iii. Loss of privileges within the lands of Shireroth.

Section F: Marriage

Subsection 1: Definition and Mechanics

a. Marriage shall be defined as the legal union of two individuals under Imperial law.
b. Divorce shall be defined as the legal removal of marriage status between two individuals and the legal dissolution of a marriage.

Subsection 2: Restrictions and Clarifications

a. A Denizen of Shireroth may be married to a non-denizen of Shireroth.
b. All marriages must be recorded and approved by the Kaiser.
c. When presenting a request for marriage to the Kaiser both individuals must express their desire for marriage.
d. Marriages in other nations do not automatically carry over to Shireroth.
e. Any pre-nuptual agreements made by the couple must be presented to the Kaiser when marriage is recorded.

Subsection 3: Nobility and Titles

When a noble marries they may share their title with their spouse as laid down in Chapter III, Section F of this Lawbook.

Subsection 4: Divorce

a. Any inividual shall be granted an immediate divorce from a spouse upon request to the Kaiser.
b. Any lands, titles, or funds attained by an individual while married shall be retained after a divorce.
c. In cases of a noble divorcing a non-noble, the non-noble has no legal right to any title, lands or funds of the noble.
d. These clauses may vary due to pre-nuptual agreements.

Section G: Chickens and Moose

Subsection 1: Rights of Chickens

a. All hens are free from involuntary egg laying.
b. Roosters will no longer have to wake up at 5:30 in the morning.
c. The Duchy of Yardistan will provide flying lessons for chickens.

Subsection 2: Other

Eat more Chicken.

Subsection 3: Restrictions on Chickens and other Poultry

No chicken, turkey, or giblet may hold an office, except for Chicken Cows.

Subsection 4: Rights of Moose

a. The hunting of moose shall be illegal.
b. No moose flesh or meat shall be consumed.

Section H: Weights and Measures

Subsection 1: Metric System

The Imperial Republic will use the Metric System in all official documents where mention of weight or measure is needed or used.

Section I: General Restrictions upon all Denizens of Shireroth

Subsection 1: Smoking

a. All forms of tobacco shall be considered an adictive substance within the lands of Shireroth.
b. No denizen of Shireroth shall make use of, or smoke, tobacco in public while at a Shirerithian Convention.
c. Punishment for violation shall be determined based on severity of violation.

Section J: Holidays

Subsection 1: Recognized Holidays

a. The following Holidays and/or Festivals shall be recognized by the Imperial Government:

  • a.i. Oustfest, When lazy bums get fired, 14 January.
  • a.ii. A-Day, Celebrating the victory of common Shirerithians over Anarchy 21, and the Battle of Cimmeria, 17 February.
  • a.iii. Jasonia Day, Celebrating the Flying Islands of Jasonia, 19 February.
  • a.iv. Irish Citizens Appreciation Day, 17 March.
  • a.v. Kethethamasisen, Hyperborean Spring Celebration, 21 March.
  • a.vi. Switching Day, When people are someone else, 1 April.
  • a.vii. Foundation Day, The day Shireroth was founded, 24 April.
  • a.viii. Treesia Day, Celebrating the nation of Treesia, 23 May.
  • a.ix. Independence Day: The Day Shireroth voted to leave Tymaria, 11 July.
  • a.x. La Fiesta De La B0O0/\/\, Traditional B0O0/\/\ist holiday, 26 July.
  • a.xi. Glorious Founder Day, Celebrating the nation's founder, 5 August.
  • a.xii. Blackrock Day, Celebrating the nation of Blackrock, 14 October.
  • a.xiii. Day of the Dead, Celebrating the God Mors, 31 October.
  • a.xiv. Istvanistan Day, Celebrating the nation of Istvanistan, 7 November.
  • a.xv. Mekonamesenan, the Hyperborean New Year, on 21 December.

Section K: Shirerithian External Military Policy

Subsection 1: Inviolability of Shirerithian Land

Let it be known to all foreign powers that unless they have a specific invitation from Shireroth (or a person legitimately representing Shireroth), or unless a legitimate reason has first been supplied for their presence, foreign troops are not allowed into the nation.

Subsection 2: Conclusion of Legitimate Military Presence

Also, foreign troops are expected to be withdrawn from the national borders at the conclusion of whatever event has brought them to the Republic, unless there is provision for a Treaty.

Section L: Terrorism

Subsection 1: Definition

Terrorism shall be defined as the unlawful use or threatened use of electronic violence (spamming, viruses, DOS attacks, etc.) by a person or an organized group of people against the citizens or their property with the intention of intimidating, damaging, coercing, or otherwise disturbing the State or the nation.

Subsection 2: Punishment

A terrorist act shall be punished by banishment from the Shirerithian board for no more than two weeks and no less than two days, depending on the seriousness of the attack.

Subsection 3: Extension of Punishment

If an attack produces extreme or permanent damage, then the sentence can be extended.

Section M: Fictional Histories

Subsection 1: Reference and Recognition

a. Any and all fictional histories created by anyone within Shireroth are subject to reference by other works.
b. Any work using references and/or material from another fictional history are required to cite their sources at either the beginning or end of the work.
c. It is the right of the creator of the original work to not recognize any works referencing them, and to consider them false.

Subsection 2: Canonicity

Shireroth officially recognizes the work of SSHIT as canon.

Subsection 3: Guidelines

Any fictional history is subject to follow the national guidelines for fictional histories as well as the local guidelines, depending on where it is posted.

Subsection 4: Duchy Guidelines

Duchies are allowed to form their own guidelines on the treatment of fictional histories. However, these guidelines cannot conflict with the national guidelines.

Section N: Fraud

Subsection 1: Deception

Any person who by means of deception persuades another to act or not to act shall, if zie profits and the victim, or zir representative, suffers a loss, be found guilty of fraud and suffer the ordeal set by the Imperial Judex.

Subsection 2: Financial Fraud

Any person who makes use of a service for which there is a stated fee, without paying that fee, shall be found guilty of fraud and suffer the ordeal set by the Imperial Judex.

Section L: Military Safety of the Kaiser

Subsection 1: Apollonian Guard

The Apollonian Guard is a bodyguard, responsible for the safety of the Kaiser. The Guard is under direct jurisdiction of the Kaiser and has free access to travel through the subdivisions with Imperial approval. The Guard can also be used to protect important buildings in order of the Kaiser.

Appendix A: The Charter

Appendix B: Procedures of the Landsraad


Amendments

  • Most recent version dates back from 4028 ASC, under the reign of Kaiser B'Caw I.
  • In 4249 ASC, during the reign of Kaiser Gaelen IV, the Lawbook was amended.


See also: Landsraad, The Charter, Procedures of the Landsraad, Kaiser