Third Imperial Charter of Averius

Preamble

NOTE: THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS....COMING SOON

Article I: Nobility

Nobility, an ancient relic of the past, are an important aspect of the Empire to maintain tradition and ties to the past.

Section 1: Titles of Nobility

In respect for the service of families of noble lineage, noble titles shall be granted by the Emperor.

1. The title of King/Queen shall be granted to those of high acclaim with historical claims over a Kingdom.
2. The title of Grand Prince/Princess shall be granted to those of high acclaim with historical claims over a Principality.
3. The title of Duke/Duchess shall be granted to those of high acclaim with historical claims over a Duchy.
4. The title of Count/Countess shall be granted to those of high acclaim with historical claims over a County.
5. The title of Baron/Baroness shall be granted to those of high acclaim with historical claims over a Barony.

• Only Titles of these ranks shall be subject to Article I, unless otherwise specified in this Charter.

Section 2: Rights of the Nobility

The Nobility, for their service to the Empire, shall be granted some specific rights.

1. The Noble Lords shall be granted the right to sanctioned non-lethal duels.
2. The Noble Lords shall be granted equal treatment for equal rank, regardless of species, age, sex, sexuality, or religion.
3. The Noble Lords shall be granted the right to employ private security or Knights of Honor.
4. The Noble Lords shall be granted the right to own property and estates.
5. The Noble Lords shall be granted the right to Council, administrative, civil, legal, or otherwise.

Section 3: House of Lords

The Nobility, having long served the Empire, shall sit on the House of Lords.

1. Each eligible Noble Lord shall receive a number of notes in the House of Lords
   1. The Imperial Title of Emperor shall receive 9 votes and may cast an additional vote in case of a tied vote.
   2. Royal Titles, such as King, Queen, Grand Prince, and Grand Princess, shall receive 7 votes.
   3. Ducal Titles, such as Duke and Duchess, shall receive 5 votes.
   4. County Titles, such as Count and Countess, shall receive 3 votes.
   5. Baronage Titles, such as Baron and Baroness, shall receive 1 vote.
2. The House of Lords shall be presided over by the Emperor or the Prime Minister if no Emperor is able to preside over the votes.
3. A Person of noble birth must present ones self to the House of Lords upon reaching the age of ten.
4. A Person may not sit in the House of Lords until one has reached the age of eighteen.

Section 4: Powers of the House

The House of Lords shall be vested with certain enumerated powers.

1. The House of Lords may elect a new Emperor if there is no eligible inheritor to the Crown.
   1. The House of Lords may select the Emperor from amongst the Royal Families.
   2. If no Royal Families are existent, the House of Lords may elect a new Emperor from amongst those in the House of Lords.
2. A Noble Lord may elect a proxy to sit in the House of Lords if they are unable to do so.
3. The House of Lords may create rules and standards for the nobility.
4. The House of Lords may not pass rules or standards that regulate, change, or modify inheritance or estate ownership.
5. The Emperor may veto or reject any law passed by the House of Lords at any time.

Section 5: Estates and Inheritance

The Nobility shall have special rules and guidelines in regards to estates and inheritance.

1. Noble Lords shall be granted estates reflective of his or her station in their historic domain and in the Imperial Central District.
   1. Imperial Titles shall be granted estates of unrestricted size.
   2. Royal Titles shall be granted estates of five-hundred hectare of land in size.
   3. Ducal Titles shall be granted estates of one-hundred hectare of land in size.
   4. County Titles shall be granted estates of twenty-five hectares of land in size.
   5. Baronage Titles shall be granted estates of one hectare of land in size.
   6. Estate sizes may be slightly larger or smaller than the designated size due to geographical, geological, topographical, or environmental limitations.
2. Noble Lords shall follow definitive rules in regards to inheritance.
   1. If an heir is designated by the noble, titles and land shall go to the designated son or daughter.
   2. If an heir is not designated by the noble, titles and land shall go to the eldest son or daughter.
   3. A person may not inherit more than one title of nobility.
   4. If a person has multiple titles to pass down, the designated heir or eldest child gets the highest and most prestigious title, and the others are passed down based on age.
   5. A noble may grant his or her spouse a title of nobility.
   6. Property shall be inherited with the lands of the title being inherited based on titles granted to the children.
   7. Any land or property not bound by titles shall be inherited by either a designation by the noble or shall be spread equally if no such designation exists.
   8. Titles of nobility that can not be passed on shall be forfeited.
   9. If a noble has no children to inherit his or her titles, property, and land, and has designated a sibling to inherit, that sibling shall inherit those property, titles, and land.
   10. If a noble has no children to inherit his or her land and titles, it does to his or her eldest sibling.
   11. If a noble has no children to inherit his or her property, it it spread amongst his or her siblings.
   12. Titles and land which can not be inherited by a sibling or child of a noble may be given by the sibling or child to a child of their own.

Article II: Legislative Authority

The Empire, recognizing the need for better distribution of power and authority, shall vest legislative authority in a democratically elected Parliament.

Section 1: Parliament

Parliament shall be created with certain aspects.

1. Parliament shall be established with one seat per million people.
2. Parliament shall be presided over by a Prime Minister.
3. Parliament shall be the sole authority with legislative power.
4. Parliament shall have certain requirements for sessions.
   1. Parliament shall be in session for no less than two-hundred days per year
   2. Sessions of Parliament may not be held except on Saturday or Sunday.
   3. Sessions of Parliament shall be held from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with an hour lunch from noon until 1:00 pm.
   4. The first day of a new session after an election with the new members shall be held on the Summer Solstice
   5. The Prime Minister may declare an Emergency Session that shall last no longer than thirty days to address a specific legislation or agenda that could not be passed or acted upon during the normal session.

Section 2: Eligibility of Parliament

Certain standards shall be set for eligibility for Parliament.

1. A Member of Parliament (MP) shall be at least eighteen years of age as of the date of the election.
2. A Member of Parliament must be either a current or former member of the Imperial Armed Forces.
3. A Member of Parliament must not have been dishonorably discharged from the military.
4. A Member of Parliament must not be a criminal nor have served any time in prison after a criminal conviction.
5. A Member of Parliament may have been a former criminal if he or she has been found innocent on appeal, have received an Imperial Pardon, or have had the conviction expunged.
6. A Member of Parliament must maintain a residence within his or her Election District for which his or her seat represents.

Section 3: Parliamentary Elections

Certain standards shall be set for Parliamentary Elections.

1. Elections shall be held every fifth year on the 0th and 5th year.
2. The day of the election shall by on March fifteenth.
3. Elections shall take place from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on election day with votes being counted by 7:00 pm of the next day.
4. Elections shall be conducted using the Single Transferable Vote method.
5. Election Districts shall be created for each seat in Parliament based on the census held every ten years.

Section 4: Rights of Parliament

Certain rights shall be vested in the Members of Parliament.

1. Member of Parliaments shall be granted estates from which the Members of Parliament can live while Parliament is in session.
2. Members of Parliament shall be treated equally, regardless on ones' species, age, sex, sexuality, religion, or income.
3. Families of Members of Parliament shall be granted citizenship if they do not already have citizenship.
4. Members of Parliament shall be guaranteed an annual rate of pay reflective of their status.

Section 5: Powers of Parliament

Certain enumerated powers shall be vested to the Parliament.

1. Parliament shall be granted the power to propose, debate, and vote on legislation.
   1. Laws and other proposals shall be passed or failed based upon a majority vote.
   2. Holidays shall be established based upon a majority vote in Parliament.
   3. Petitions sent to Parliament may be approved based upon a majority vote in Parliament.
2. Parliament shall be granted the power to override a veto of legislation based on a two-thirds majority vote.
3. Parliament shall have the power to approve or reject the appointment of any ministry official or judicial appointment.
4. Parliament shall have the sole power to establish taxes and direct spending measures.

Article III: Executive Authority

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Section 1: The Crown

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Section 2: Crown Authority

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Section 3: Ministerial Authority

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Section 4: Selection of Ministers

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Section 5: Estates and Inheritance

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Article IV: Judicial Authority

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Section 1: Duty of the Courts

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Section 2: Imperial Court

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Section 3: Ducal Courts

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Section 4: Courts of Appeal

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Section 5: Local Courts

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Article V: Military Authority

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Section 1: Role of the Military

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Section 2: Ministerial Oversight

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Section 3: Military Courts

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Section 4: Law Enforcement

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Section 5: Loyalty to the Crown

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Article VI: Local Governments

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Section 1: Regional Governance

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Section 2: Tax Collection

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Section 3: Municipal Governance

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Section 4: Role of the Lordships

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Section 5: Supremacy of Powers

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Article VII: Unity

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Section 1: Joining the Empire

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Section 2: Citizenship

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Section 3: Residency

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Section 4: Imperial Patheon

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Section 5: Break from the Empire

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Article VIII: Rights

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Section 1: Personal Rights

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Section 2: Political Rights

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Section 3: Judicial Rights

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Section 4: Species Rights

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Section 5: Discrimination

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Article IX: Amendments

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Section 1: Proposal of Amendments

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Section 2: Amendment Approval

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Section 3: Amendment Vote

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Section 4: Imperial Approval

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Section 5: Amendment Exclusion

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