The Laws of Brodgar

[Yolan]

The purpose of this thread is for listing the existing laws of Brodgar, as well as acting as a place where citizens can vote on proposed laws being submitted for review by the people before they can be enacted. The foundation of the laws of Brodgar are the Ten Oaths. The person responsible for the drafting and submission of new laws is the current lawspeaker.

Current Lawspeaker: Yolan

[Yolan]

=== LAW I - PERTAINING TO THE OFFICE OF LAWSPEAKER ===

Formally passed into law after majority affirmation over two weeks, on the 9th of October, 2009.


The purpose of this law is to lay out the general powers and duties of the holder of the office of lawspeaker.

1) The lawspeaker of Brodgar is in charge of the judicial and legislative elements of the state.

2) In regards to his or her judicial duties, it is the lawspeaker's task to manage the legal system of the state, in whatever form it make take. The responsibility for the enforcement of existing laws ultimately rests on the lawspeaker.

2.1) The situation may exist where numerous individuals, such as judges or guards, may be charged with upholding the law. In this case, liaising with these individuals, such as to assure the integrity of the justice system, is the lawspeaker's task.

2.2) In concordance with the Second Oath of Brodgar, the lawspeaker does not have the power to summarily punish a citizen. A court of peers (fellow citizens), in some form, must first declare the citizen guilty. Any punishment meted must accord with established laws.

2.3) If a citizen or hearthling has a grievance, it is the responsibility of the lawspeaker to ensure that it is heard. The lawspeaker must admit all legal claims made by citizens for formal processing. A degree of discretion is permitted with hearing the grievances of hearthlings in general.

2.4) In the case of the state of Brodgar vs. citizen or hearthling, it is the responsibility of the lawspeaker to ensure that a sound case is maintained on behalf of the state.

2.5) The lawspeaker may not use their judicial powers for any other purpose than the pursuit of equal justice for all and the smooth running of the city. Political or economic manipulation of fellow citizens is strictly forbidden.

2.6) If the lawspeaker is made aware of the fact that the Chieftain (head of the executive branch of state) has intentionally broken one of the Ten Oaths of Brodgar, or another law, it is their duty to ensure that the matter is brought to public attention.

3) As head of the legislative branch, the lawspeaker bears ultimate responsibility for the drafting of all new laws, as well as the amendment of existing laws.

3.1) It is the responsibility of the lawspeaker to pursue the smooth running of the city by drafting those laws necessary to secure the welfare of the whole, without infringing upon the Ten Oaths.

3.2) The lawspeaker may not draft and enact new laws by fiat.

3.3) A proposed new law draft must first be shown to the Chieftain.

3.4) In concordance with the Seventh Oath of Brodgar, a proposed new law must be publicly displayed and announced, such as all citizens have the possibility to read the law and consider it. A minimum of two weeks (IRL) must be set aside for the public to vote in favor of or against the law. If, at the passing of two weeks, a majority are in favor, the lawspeaker may announce the new law as formally passed. It is only after this announcement that the law is enacted.

3.5) When a law has failed to receive majority support, it may only be re-tabled for consideration after changes have been made in response to public comments, or after a period of one month has passed (IRL), such as the public may have time to change their minds.

3.6) The lawspeaker must not bring any undue pressure to bare on individual citizens to agree with tabled drafts.

[Yolan]

This spot to be used for future law posts.

[Yolan]

This spot to be used for future law posts.

[Yolan]

This spot to be used for future law posts.

[DrStealth]

I know I'm not a citizen of Brodgar or anything, but uh... Get a font that is easier to read.

[Devour]

I can read it quite easily, to be perfectly honest.

And, I think this is a wonderful idea.

[nejj]

This spot to be used for future law posts.
(not really, I'm kidding.)

Long live Brodgar!

[Yolan]

Citizens of Brodgar, I present to you the first post oath law for your consideration.

VOTING: AYE OR NAY

CLOSING DATE: 14 days (IRL) hence.

Only votes from those living in or nearby Brodgar, who consider themselves a citizen, please. In the near future, I will put forward a census law so we can better secure the foundations of this democracy. It is a little bit of reverse chicken and egg, but that is unavoidable.


=== LAW I - PERTAINING TO THE OFFICE OF LAWSPEAKER ===

The purpose of this law is to lay out the general powers and duties of the holder of the office of lawspeaker.

1) The lawspeaker of Brodgar is in charge of the judicial and legislative elements of the state.

2) In regards to his or her judicial duties, it is the lawspeaker's task to manage the legal system of the state, in whatever form it make take. The responsibility for the enforcement of existing laws ultimately rests on the lawspeaker.

2.1) The situation may exist where numerous individuals, such as judges or guards, may be charged with upholding the law. In this case, liaising with these individuals, such as to assure the integrity of the justice system, is the lawspeaker's task.

2.2) In concordance with the Second Oath of Brodgar, the lawspeaker does not have the power to summarily punish a citizen. A court of peers (fellow citizens), in some form, must first declare the citizen guilty. Any punishment meted must accord with established laws.

2.3) If a citizen or hearthling has a grievance, it is the responsibility of the lawspeaker to ensure that it is heard. The lawspeaker must admit all legal claims made by citizens for formal processing. A degree of discretion is permitted with hearing the grievances of hearthlings in general.

2.4) In the case of the state of Brodgar vs. citizen or hearthling, it is the responsibility of the lawspeaker to ensure that a sound case is maintained on behalf of the state.

2.5) The lawspeaker may not use their judicial powers for any other purpose than the pursuit of equal justice for all and the smooth running of the city. Political or economic manipulation of fellow citizens is strictly forbidden.

2.6) If the lawspeaker is made aware of the fact that the Chieftain (head of the executive branch of state) has intentionally broken one of the Ten Oaths of Brodgar, or another law, it is their duty to ensure that the matter is brought to public attention.

3) As head of the legislative branch, the lawspeaker bears ultimate responsibility for the drafting of all new laws, as well as the amendment of existing laws.

3.1) It is the responsibility of the lawspeaker to pursue the smooth running of the city by drafting those laws necessary to secure the welfare of the whole, without infringing upon the Ten Oaths.

3.2) The lawspeaker may not draft and enact new laws by fiat.

3.3) A proposed new law draft must first be shown to the Chieftain.

3.4) In concordance with the Seventh Oath of Brodgar, a proposed new law must be publicly displayed and announced, such as all citizens have the possibility to read the law and consider it. A minimum of two weeks (IRL) must be set aside for the public to vote in favor of or against the law. If, at the passing of two weeks, a majority are in favor, the lawspeaker may announce the new law as formally passed. It is only after this announcement that the law is enacted.

3.5) When a law has failed to receive majority support, it may only be re-tabled for consideration after changes have been made in response to public comments, or after a period of one month has passed (IRL), such as the public may have time to change their minds.

3.6) The lawspeaker must not bring any undue pressure to bare on individual citizens to agree with tabled drafts.

[Etienne]

Even though I'd have liked to see some way for citizens to propose a law (or a change to an existing one)(while such would indeed not belong in the law pertaining to the lawspeaker's duties I think 3 might make any law granting citizens the right to propose a law impossible) and don't see the use of 3.3 it seems good enough to me.
I vote in favor of the proposed law 1 (or "aye").

Also I'd like to have had several other laws before or simultanious to this one or at least very soon, especially laws on what is and isn't allowed (I don't think there is currently any way of punishing someone for theft of city property, for instance, and many other things that shouldn't be acceptable).