Succession law in Cadenza

Succession law in Cadenza is dictated by two main sources: the Constitution of Cadenza and the inheritance laws of the individual earldoms. The Constitution specifically addresses only succession to the offices of Earl and Duke, although Within each earldom, successors are elected in accordance with that earldom's electoral system or, where none exists, may be named and appointed directly by the outgoing earl.

Duke of Cadenza

Cadenza is a republic with an elected head of state. The Duke of Cadenza is elected in accordance with the Constitution's Article 8, which states that "The candidature for the title and office of Duke shall be open to all the members of the Earls’ Council who fulfill the requirements outlined by this Constitution and by law." The Constitution does not explicitly bar non-members of the Earls' Council from election to the office of Duke, but whether such a nomination would be allowed has never been tested. Under the Procedure for the Election of the Duke's Successor, the early nineteenth-century document which is invoked for each election, nominations are made from within the Earls' Council, but this document does not override the Constitution. The procedure that would thus be invoked if a private citizen were nominated is unclear.

By earldom

Do'rediq and Pamma

In the earldom of Pammez, eligibility for the rank of earl is considered in 'circles'. The first circle consists of the deceased or abdicated earl's offspring and those of his siblings. If the first circle has no eligible candidates, or the electors deem none fit for office, it is discarded and consideration moves to the second circle, which typically consists of the earl's siblings and his and their grandchildren. On the nomination of at least three electors, a candidate may be promoted by exactly one circle: i.e. from the second to the first, and not the third to the first or third to second to first.

The electorate in Pammez consists of a number of notables, most of which are hereditary positions. There are up to fifteen electors, including the three most senior members of the ruling house, the Bishop of Do'rediq and the elected mayors of Do'rediq and Tyraza.