Judiciary of Sydalon
The Judiciary of Sydalon consists of courts and tribunals, composed of judges and justices, who administer justice in the name of the Queen of Sydalon.
Law
The Sydalene legal system is a civil law that is supported by laws and statute and to a much lesser extent judicial decisions and custom. The Sydalene civil law system takes its form based off of ancient Latin law, ecclesiastical law, and Audonic law, as opposed to common law.
Court organization
The judiciary is divided into different levels across various territorial levels:
- the Royal courts
- the domains of Sydalon
- the provinces of Sydalon
- the judicial districts of Sydalon, which cover multiple jurisdictions
The court system is also organized into jurisdictional orders:
- civil law
- criminal law
- administrative law
- labor law
- military law
- peerage regulation and regulation of arms
Types of tribunals
Royal courts
Queen's Bench
The Court of the Queen's Bench (or King’s Bench if Monarch is male) is the most senior court of last resort, first established by order of King Hughes I in 1293. The Queen’s bench holds appellate jurisdiction over all ordinary matters such as civil or criminal cases, as well as appellate jurisdiction over cases in administrative law, labor law, and over matters arising out of regional, domain courts. The Queen’s Bench holds original jurisdiction over matters of peerage, arms, though by right of Royal Decree in 1919, have established the Court of Peers to handle these matters, and serves as the de facto court of last resort for all matters. However, the Queen’s Bench retains responsibility for interpretation of the constitution. Members of the Queen’s Bench are nominated and appointed by the Queen, upon the consent of both chambers of the Senate. The Queen’s Bench consists of 7 members, who serve for life and hold the title of Lord or Lady Justice; it is led by the Lord or Lady President of the Bench. Except for questions arising out of the constitution, written opinions from the Queen’s Bench tend to be concise, and often devoid of legal reasoning. The Queen’s Bench governs legal practice in Sydalon.
Court of Cassation
The Court of Cassation is the first court of review for matters arising out of the Royal District Courts. There are 15 Courts of Appeals, located in each Domain, and four courts for the entirety of the Royal Domains. The Court of Appeals have a limited scope of review, and are often restricted to hearing matters first brought up before the Inferior Court, rather than hearing direct evidence and determining the case on the facts. Because of this, an appellate court will not consider an argument that is raised for the first time on appeal (unless there was a change in law). All Courts of Cassation are paneled by 5 judges.
Royal District Courts
District Courts are the court of original jurisdiction for criminal violations of Royal law or civil matters with damages in excess of 𐆖90,000. District Courts may remove minor criminal matters to Provincial Courts at the judge’s sound discretion. District courts have original jurisdiction over matters arising out of labor law or labor disputes. Judges sitting on the district court are appointed by the Monarch for a life term. The right to jury trial is attached for criminal cases arising to the level of a felony at party request.
Domain courts
High Courts of Justice
Domain High Courts of Justice are the courts of last resort in the 11 non-Royal Domains of Sydalon; cases appealed from provincial courts within the Royal Domains are brought to Court of Cassation located within the judicial district of which the provincial court is located. These courts have no original jurisdiction. Members of domain High Courts are appointed by the respective domain executive.
Provincial courts
Provincial courts are the court of first instance in the territorial court system. These courts have original jurisdiction over matters that cannot arise in Royal District Court, such as civil disputes below 𐆖90,000, violations of specific domain law. Provincial courts may also hear matters that are removed from District Court for minor criminal matters. The right to jury trial is attached for criminal cases arising to the level of a felony at party request. Provincial courts have original jurisdiction for matters of family law, such as child custody, juvenile matters, divorce, and probate.
Administrative courts
The Queen’s Bench serves as the court of last resort for issues of administrative law. In select situations, the Queen’s Bench has select jurisdiction over serious matters of law, most often as they pertain to specific constitutional interpretation.
The Court of Administrative Appeals consists of two judicial districts, east and west, and serve as the intermediary court for appeals in administrative law. Cases are heard before a panel of 7 judges.
Executive agencies serve as the court of first instance for challenges to administrative law.