Laws and Powers within the Empire

This is a "hub page" of all the laws and powers currently set out within the Empire.

THIS SECTION IS SUBJECT TO REVISIONS FOLLOWING THE 2495 CONSTITUTION

## Date-Stamp

These laws and powers are accurate as of **2495**

*If you have questions about how these could be implemented, check in with the GM*

## Powers of the Rex

1. The **Rex** is elevated to their office through the Conclave
2. The **Rex** has law making powers and can propose a law to the **Council of Governors** for their proposal
	1. the **Rex** has sole authority over foreign treaties, though this authority may be delegated
	2. Treaties lasting fifteen years or longer are subject to approval in the **Council**
3. The **Rex** may make **Executive Orders,** which shall become law unless vetoed
	1. or found illegal by the **Court of Appeals**
4. The **Rex** has veto powers over laws passed by the **Council of Governors**, including policy decisions by members of the Government
	1. The Rex cannot veto decisions and actions taken by individual governors on their planets
5. The **Rex** has veto powers over laws passed by the **Imperial Parliament**
6. The **Rex** appoints the **Lord-Chancellor** and endows them with Executive powers to run the Imperial government
7. The **Rex** can replace or remove any member of the government
	1. The Rex cannot replace or remove the **Inspector-General**
8. The **Rex** can propose new members for the **Court of Appeals**
9. The **Rex** can propose a new **Inspector-General**
10. The **Rex** is immune to all civil suits
11. The **Rex** can only be removed by:
	1. death
	2. abdication
	3. removal by a vote of the **Council of Governors** after indictment for High Crimes
12. The **Rex** may issue a pardon to a citizen of the Empire, removing a criminal conviction and the associated legal effects.

## Powers of the Lord-Chancellor

1. The **Chancellor** is appointed by the **Rex**
	1. In absence of the Rex, the Council of Governors may appoint the **Chancellor**
2. The **Chancellor** may make **Executive Orders,** which shall become law unless vetoed
	1. or found illegal by the **Court of Appeals**
3. The **Chancellor** has powers to appoint officers to the **Government**
	1. This may be contradicted by the **Rex**
4. The **Chancellor** does not hold veto powers
5. The **Chancellor** can be removed from power by:
	1. Direct orders of the **Rex**
	2. Resignation
	3. Death
	4. A majority vote of the **Council of Governors** after indictment for high crimes

## Powers of the Council of Governors

1. The **Council of Governors** can propose laws and vote on them
2. The **Council of Governors** can veto an Executive order from the **Rex** or the **Chancellor** with a majority vote
	1. If a vote for a veto is tied, then the vote will be assumed to have failed
3. The **Council of Governors** has the power to confirm a nominee for the **Court of Appeals**
	1. A majority of votes cast is required to confirm an **Appeals Court Judge**
4. The **Council of Governors** votes to approve the appointment of the **Inspector-General**
5. **Governors** can only be removed from their office by:
	1. Resignation and abdication
	2. Death
	3. Indictment for a crime and then removal after criminal sanctions
6. All **Governors** are protected from criminal sanctions and would be tried by a Peer trial
7. All **Governors** receive a vote in the Conclave
8. The **Rex** shall be considered a Governor only if they are also the Governor of a planet
9. The **Chancellor** shall be considered a Governor only if they are also the Governor of a planet

## Powers of the Inspector-General

1. The **Inspector-General** has powers to investigate and prosecute any government officer, **Governor** or department for crimes and corruption
	1. The **Inspector-General** does not have powers to investigate the **Rex**
2. The Inspector-General is appointed after nomination by the Rex and a vote from the Council of Governors
3. The **Inspector-General** then serves a 20 year term which ends when:
	1. the term concludes
	2. Resignation
	3. death
	4. Removal from office after indictment for high crimes
4. When the **Inspector-General'**s term ends, they are forbidden by law from serving in any other government office
5. The **Inspector-General** cannot be prevented from inspecting any government department
	1. Except where this would violate national security

## Powers of the Court of Appeals

1. The **Court of Appeals** is the supreme law making body of the Empire
2. **Court of Appeals** judges are appointed by recommendation of the **Rex**
3. **Court of Appeals** judges are confirmed to the bench by a vote of the **Council of Governors**
4. **Court of Appeals** justices are appointed for life and only leave their office after:
	1. death
	2. resignation
	3. removal for high crimes after a vote of the entire court
5. The **Court of Appeals** has the power to make a binding ruling on the legality of any action undertaken by any body within the Empire
6. **Court of Appeals** judges are immune to laws on Libel and Slander whilst carrying out their duties
7. The **Court of Appeals** cannot have the number of judges changed without a vote in the **Council** and the **Parliament**

## Powers of the Imperial Parliament

1. The **Imperial Parliament** is elected to ten year terms
	1. This can be altered by a majority vote of the parliament
2. The **Imperial Parliament** has the power to vote on laws which shall become laws in the Empire unless:
	1. vetoed by the **Rex**
	2. ruled illegal by the **Court of Appeals**
3. The **Imperial Parliament** is protected from libel and slander rules whilst carrying out its function
4. the **Imperial Parliament** has the power to veto any law made by the **Council of Governors** with a 2/3rds super-majority
5. The **Imperial Parliament** receives one vote in the Conclave, to be decided on a majority vote in parliament