Tallian Supreme Court

The Tallian Supreme Court is the highest court in Tamwull and it’s subsection is the final court of appeal. It represents the Judiciary branch of the Tamwull Government. It has the ability to interpret the Tamwull Constitution and review laws passed by the Tallian Federal Parliament and state parliaments.

## Role

The Tallian Supreme Court exercises both its original and appellate jurisdiction. It is the court of final appeal and able to interpret common law for the whole of Tamwull, not just the states that the matter arose.

### Original Jurisdiction

The original jurisdiction of the Tallian Supreme Court refers to matters that are listed in the Tamwull Constitution. By matters it includes:

* Treaties
* Official representatives of other countries
* Lawsuits relating to Tamwull as a whole, including suing or being sued
* Between states
* An injunction or prohibition is sought against a member of the federal government.
* Constitutional or requiring its interpretation
* Any laws made by Parliament
* Maritime jurisdiction
* Same subject matter claimed under the laws of different states

### Appellate Jurisdiction

The Tallian Supreme Court of Appeals, a subsection of the actual Tallian Supreme Court can hear appeals from the High Court from different states, or the Tallian Supreme Court. To avoid a log-jam of court cases, a citizen of Tamwull only has the right to appeal once, meaning any cases from the lower state court in different states cannot appeal directly to the Tallian Supreme Court unless it comes under one of their original matters.

## Composition of the Court

The Tallian Supreme Court is composed of seven justices, the leader of the group being called the Chief Justice, though the role is mainly ceremonial.

### Appointment Process

Appointments are officially made by the Executive Head. Though, it is the President, on advice from the Cabinet, that nominates said employees, advising the Executive Head in the process. The Attorney-General is required to consult with the attorney-general of other states of Tamwull about appointments to the court, though their advice is not binding.

Qualifications for Justices are low. Requiring them to be at least 50 years or equivalent of age and be under 70, where they must compulsory retire and have at least five years in the judiciary practice.

### Associates

To aid the Justices, they are provided with two associates each for one-year terms, though can be renewed at any time. Along with their associates they are assisted by an employee of the library as a legal researcher. The role of the associates is completely up to the Justice though often include legal research, assistance in preparation for speeches or oral arguments and assisting with extrajudicial functions.

## Facilities

### Building

The original location of the Tallian Supreme Court was in the city of Erstal, along with the Tamwull Government. Since the relocation of the capital to the city of Roufort in **435PR**, a new building was constructed to house the court. Construction began in a plot near the Tamwull Senate, home to the Tallian Federal Parliament, leaving a garden in between the two buildings.

There are 3 Courtrooms for access, Courtroom 1 is the room that hears matters that require all 7 Justices. Courtroom 2 is the courtroom that is most popular, hearing all matters that require only 3 or 5 of the Justices to be present. Courtroom 3 is more ceremonial, containing artwork of the old building and the inception of the Tallain Supreme Court, it hears all international matters.

### Library

External to the building is the Supreme Court library, containing records about every court case and precedent that has taken place. Each Justice is given their own alcove in the library, large enough to fit their associates which are a mainstay.

The building was extended in **587PR** to include a Courtroom for visitors and the Justices to have friendly competitions with their Associates in between their own court cases.