Ministry of the Interior

PEERAGE ACT:

Whereas it is expedient that the Sovereign in Council legislates the rules pertaining to nobility;

Whereas it is expedient that the Hapan nobility is vested with the rights and responsibilities to bolster camaraderie and a healthy learning environment for the Consortium;

Whereas it is expedient that certain provisions are established regarding the lapse of peerage.


THE KING'S Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Royal Council Assembled, Enacts as follows:

CHAPTER I: DEFINITIONS[top]

A. Crest – A coat of arms or symbol that is unique to, and represents, a Peer. Each Peer, upon appointment by the Sovereign, may design her Crest, subject to the approval of the Sovereign.

B. Holdings - Anything that a Peer has been granted control, authority, or governance over due to her status as a Peer. Holdings, though governed by a Peer, are always owned by the Sovereign, except in such circumstances that the Sovereign declares otherwise.

C. House – An honorable familial designation belonging only to Tarii that signifies a noble authority. Membership in a Noble House is restricted to the Peer herself, her spouse and her children, whether by blood or adoption.

D. Lapse (of peerage) – The relegation of a Peer to the Order of Teloii, in accordance with Chapter IV of this Act.

E. Peer – A member of the Hapan nobility, appointed by the Sovereign in accordance with Chapter II, Section A of this Act.

F. Royal Dominion star system – A Royal Dominion star system is any Hapan star system that is not governed by a Peer. Certain systems shall always remain Royal Dominion systems, the identity of which is held by the Ministry of the Interior’s cultural department.

G. Surrender (of peerage) – The voluntary relinquishment of a title of peerage by a Peer.

CHAPTER II: TITLES OF PEERAGE[top]

A. By virtue of Chapter I, Section 3 of the Constitution, all titles of peerage can only be bestowed by the reigning Sovereign.

1. The Sovereign may grant peerage to whomever they will and deem worthy.
2. The Peer must swear the Oath of Allegiance to the Sovereign and their heirs and successors, before being granted her title.
3. Upon death of the Peer, Surrender or Lapse, the title of peerage does not automatically pass to anyone else; it returns to the Crown.

B. The various specific levels of the peerage shall be as follows:

1. Tarii - The highest tier of peerage shall be the Tarii. Females shall receive the title of Ta`Din (Grand Duchess), and males shall receive the title of Tarix (Grand Duke).
2. Duchii – The second highest tier of peerage shall be the Duchii. Females shall receive the title of Ducha (Duchess), and males shall receive the title of Duchix (Duke).
3. Dukatii – The third highest tier of peerage shall be the Dukatii. Females shall receive the title of Dukana (Countess), and males shall receive the title of Dukat (Count).
4. Turilii – The lowest tier of peerage shall be the Turilii. Females shall receive the title of Turila (Baroness), and males shall receive the title of Turilit (Baron).

C. All Peers may use the designation of Lady (for females) and Lord (for males), if they so desire.

CHAPTER III: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PEERAGE[top]

A. All Peers whose titles have not lapsed:

1. Shall have their names and titles recorded in the public Record of Peers;
2. Shall have a seat in the Chamber of Lords;
3. Shall cultivate, develop and grow the traditions, culture and history of their families and Holdings through contributions to the Royal Hapan Library;
4. Shall construct cities in their Holdings with cultural value, in accordance with the guidelines available through the Ministry of the Interior’s cultural department.

B. Tarii whose titles have not lapsed:

1. Shall be granted governance of one or more star systems in accordance with the will and supervision of the Sovereign;
2. Shall be granted personal use of one or more Hapan vessels, the highest class of which shall include Star Destroyers;
3. Shall have the right to develop and construct cities and facilities in their Holdings for purposes of income, subject to the supervision of the Sovereign and the Ministry of Industry;
4. Shall be granted the right to establish a House;
5. Shall be granted the right to design and make use of a Crest;
6. Shall possess “Qualified” voting rights in the Chamber of Lords. A Qualified Vote is equal to two normal Votes;
7. Shall be allowed to have their spouses claim the designation “Lord” or “Lady,” though this spouse shall possess no noble privileges of his own other than such designation and membership in the Peer’s House.

C. Duchii whose titles have not lapsed:

1. Shall be granted governance of one or more planets in a Royal Dominion star system, in accordance with the will and supervision of the Sovereign;
2. Shall be granted personal use of one or more Hapan vessels, the highest class of which shall include Battle Dragons;
3. Shall be granted the right to design and make use of a Crest;
4. Shall possess normal voting rights in the Chamber of Lords;
5. Shall be allowed to have their spouses claim the designation “Lord” or “Lady,” though this spouse shall possess no noble privileges of his own other than such designation.

D. Dukatii whose titles have not lapsed:

1. Shall be granted governance of one or more moons in a Royal Dominion star system, in accordance with the will and supervision of the Sovereign;
2. Shall be granted personal use of one or more Hapan vessels, the highest class of which shall include Nova Battle Cruisers;
3. Shall be granted the right to design and make use of a Crest;
4. Shall possess no voting rights in the Chamber of Lords, though they may still participate in discussions.

E. Turilii whose titles have not lapsed:

1. Shall be granted governance of one or more cities in a Royal Dominion star system, in accordance with the will and supervision of the Sovereign;
2. Shall be granted personal use of one or more Hapan vessels, the highest class of which shall include Nova Battle Cruisers;
3. Shall possess no voting rights in the Chamber of Lords, though they may still participate in discussions.

CHAPTER IV: LAPSE OF PEERAGE[top]

A. A Peer shall be relegated to the Order of Teloii (and her title considered lapsed) when:

1. The Peer is inactive for a period of at least six months.
2. Inactivity, for the purposes of (1) above, is defined as any lack of meaningful participation in the Hapes Consortium in general.

B. The results of a lapse of peerage and relegation to the Order of Teloii shall include:

1. Loss of all privileges, rights and expectations outlined in Chapter III of this Act;
2. Loss of title. No special ranks or titles shall be given to the relegated Teloii to indicate the lost past title;
3. The right to use the title of Teloii.

C. A Teloii shall be reinstated to the Peerage according to prerogative of the Sovereign.

CHAPTER V: THE CHAMBER OF LORDS[top]

A. The Chamber shall be an advisory body composed of all Peers whose titles have not lapsed.

B. The Chamber, to fulfill its advisory role, shall discuss any issues presented and take a vote as to what course of action the Chamber shall recommend to the Sovereign. The result of the vote shall constitute the Chamber’s recommendation.