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shared_worlds:establishment_of_an_independent_judiciary_bill

Establishment of an Independent Judiciary Bill

Overview

Among First Consul Lord Roem's first orders of business following his election was the establishment of an independent judiciary. His proposal created the “High Court of Justiciary” - similar in concept to a Supreme Court - composed of three officials (dubbed “Justicars”) appointed by the President and confirmed by the Congressional Assembly. The bill passed Congress on August 3, 2010, and was signed into law by the President. With the ratification of the Sandbox Republic Constitution later that month, its text became part of constitutional law.

History

Proposed Text of the Bill

WHEREAS it has been deemed by his Excellency President Lord Roem that the Sandbox Republic has firmly established itself as a free and fair democracy, a Bill has been placed by the President before the honourable members of Congress assembled to create a SUPREME COURT within the constitutional framework of the Republic

1. A High Court of Justiciary shall be created for the purpose of resolving disputes between members of Government, election disputes, and general resolution of concerns within the Sandbox Republic.

2. The Court will be composed of three judges, appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress through a majority vote. The Lord Chief Justice shall be the first appointed with their deputies serving under the titles of Sheriff-Principle-in-Ordinary and Clark of the Star Chamber (henceforth referred to within this Bill collectively as “They” or “Their”).

3. The singular term for the members of bench of the Court shall be Justiciar with the collective term being Justiciars.

4.Their terms shall be staggered: the third (9 months), the second (12 months), the first (15 months). They may be re-appointed continuously if Congress so approves, for 9 month terms.

5. They may hear any case they agree to hear. They may issue Advisory Opinions on their own. A majority of two of the three judges shall be required for any decision.

6. Their judgments shall be deemed final unless overturned by a subsequent ruling.

A1. The Court must hear cases brought by members of Congress, the Cabinet, the President, or the Chancellor.

A2. Six nominees to the Court shall be selected by Congress with the President given the determination of picking the final three to sit on the bench.

A3. An Oath of Impartiality must be sworn by a Justicular upon confirmation.

Voting

The bill was approved by 15 votes in favour to 3 votes against.

Along with the final version of the bill, Congress voted on three amendments. The First required all cases brought by Government officials to be heard by the Court. The Second changed the process of appointment to have Congress select 6 candidates and have the President choose the 3 from that slate. The Third Amendment required an oath of impartiality by members of the Court upon their confirmation.

The 1st Amendment was adopted by 19 votes to 0.

The 2nd Amendment was adopted by 16 votes to 3.

The 3rd Amendment was adopted by 18 votes to 1.

Postscript

After the bill was signed into law, discussion immediately broke out on which six candidates should be nominated to President Lord Roem. Demosthenes, 010camaro, RogueBeaver, Fell, Abdul Hadi Pasha, and Burton were nominated by Congress.

Demosthenes, 010Camaro, and RogueBeaver, were selected as the first members of the High Court.

The Court was constitionalized later in August with the creation of a SBR Constitution.

See Also

shared_worlds/establishment_of_an_independent_judiciary_bill.txt · Last modified: 2019/03/29 15:13 by 127.0.0.1

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