These are the laws of the Hapes Consortium. Every Hapan, no matter their professional situation, and every foreigner within Hapan territory, must abide by them. Failure to do so will result in their prosecution within the full extent of the law.
The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for their legislation and enforcement. Any questions or comments concerning points of law should be sent to the Minister of the Interior.
Constitution
BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Hapes Consortium exists and has existed from aeons past and shall exist for ever-more as a unified nation under the rule of Law and the supremacy of the Crown. Ours is to govern, defend and ensure the well being of the Hapan realm and its people in the name of Honour, Pride and Glory. This Constitution is the foundation upon which We place Our trust and belief in the Consortium.
CHAPTER I: FOUNDATION
1.
All executive and legislative power on and over the Hapes Consortium is vested in the Sovereign.
2.
The Sovereign is the Head of the State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Depending on their sex, they hold the title of ‘King of Hapes’ or ‘Queen of Hapes’.
3.
The Sovereign is the fount of honours from which the peerage is instated.
4.
Said powers are exercised while respecting the fundamental equality between Hapans, regardless of their race, species, faith, sex, sexual orientation or marital status.
5.
In their capacity as Commander-in-Chief, the Sovereign holds absolute authority on all matters relating to Their Armed Forces.
6.
All formal actions executed by the Hapan Government are done so in the name and on behalf of the Sovereign.
7.
The Sovereign is inviolable. Therefore, responsibility over the actions of the Crown rests with the Royal Council and its individual Ministers for their respective departments.
8.
The Hapes Consortium affirms itself to a state of neutrality in external affairs at all times, unless provoked directly or indirectly, or its sovereignty is threatened by an outside force.
9.
Template:LawChange-Note The space directly above the Capital planet is deemed sacrosanct and inviolable by space vessels equipped for warfare. No warship is therefore to approach or orbit the Capital planet.
10.
Neither the Crown nor any Hapan shall resort to death in administering any punishment against another.
CHAPTER II: GOVERNANCE
1.
Henceforth there shall be a cabinet to assist and advise the Sovereign titled the ‘Royal Council’, which shall be composed of the various Ministers of the Crown and presided by the Prime Minister.
2.
The Sovereign shall have the exclusive prerogative to appoint a Prime Minister who shall preside over Their government and supervise the performance and work of the Ministers of the Crown. The Prime Minister serves at the pleasure and discretion of the Sovereign.
3.
The Sovereign has the exclusive authority, with the advice of the Prime Minister, to appoint Ministers of the Crown and mandate them with a portfolio according to the stipulations of the Structure Appendix. Said Ministers serve at the pleasure and discretion of the Sovereign.
4.
The Ministers of the Crown shall head their mandated departments in accordance to the rules of the Structure Appendix and any other orders issued by the Sovereign. The Ministers are responsible for all matters and issues pertaining to their portfolio.
5.
The Royal Council, notwithstanding the Sovereign, is the highest executive body over the Hapes Consortium and shall advise and assist the Sovereign on all matters.
CHAPTER III: SUCCESSION
1.
The successor to the Throne shall be chosen at the behest of the reigning Sovereign. Upon the latter’s abdication or death, the named successor shall access the Throne immediately as the next Sovereign.
2.
Template:LawChange-Note If the reigning Sovereign does not see fit to name a successor, or if their death occurs before they are capable of choosing one; then a Convention, composed of the following, shall elect a successor:
a) Members of the Royal Council who have served there-in for at least one year.
b) Members of the Peerage who have actively participated in State affairs for the past six consecutive months.
3.
The Convention as resulting from the second part of aforementioned Section 2 is sworn to secrecy and is to be allowed an unobstructed election of a new Sovereign, free of outside influence.
CHAPTER IV: ENACTMENT
1.
Any further amendments or changes to the Constitution should first receive the approval of the majority of the Royal Council before given Royal Assent.
2.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the Hapes Consortium, and any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is, to the extent of the inconsistency, of no force or effect.
3.
Notwithstanding the above Section 2, a Royal Proclamation may temporarily suspend the Constitution upon or during a declaration of war or a state of national emergency. Such suspension may only last till the end of the war or national emergency status.
Structure Appendix
Pre-amble Over a period of time, any government will develop certain issues with which it must contend. Failure to properly maintain itself will cause a breakdown in operations. Failure to remain flexible shall do the same. A government must share the authority to operate over a number of individual, striving to maintain an acceptable number of leading personnel while avoiding overextending that authority. This Appendix shall seek to optimise all operations of the Hapes Consortium, investing in certain key ministers the authority necessary to perform their daily functions, while maintaining the overall authority and power of the liege lord or lady.
Section I: Structure Overview
1:st Chapter “Liege Lord or Lady (L3)”
Template:LawChange-Note
§1 Title:
King (male head of the Royal Family and/or the Hapes Consortium).
Queen (female head of the Royal Family and/or the Hapes Consortium).
§2 Description:
The Liege Lord or Lady is the ruler of all of the Hapes Consortium. In all aspects, they are the leader of the Consortium. They reserve the right to make any orders or changes as they see fit to any portion of the Hapan nation.
§3 Primary Responsibilities: Template:LawChange-Note Hapes Consortium – The Consortium is the primary responsibility of the Liege Lord or Lady. All aspects are under their control, should they see fit to overrule their minister’s/ministers’ decisions. Phoenix Guard – The Phoenix Guard shall be expressly at the command of the Liege Lord or Lady. It shall serve solely to protect the Royal Family, excluding all other purposes to that end.
X-I Chapter "Lord Regent (LR)"
2:nd Chapter “Prime Minister (PM)”
Template:LawChange-Note
§1 Title:
Prime Minister of the Hapes Consortium.
§2 Description:
The Prime Minister is the executive member of the Council of Ministers. He shall ensure that each minister is maintaining their duties and is available on a reasonably consistent basis. Should the Liege Lord or Lady not be present, the Prime Minister may take their place in proceedings.
§3 Primary Responsibilities:
Council of Ministers – The Prime Minister shall oversee all meetings of the Council of Ministers. The PM may declare a topic open or closed (of course, this may be overruled by the Liege Lord or Lady) and must mediate between any arguing parties, keeping a neutral stance except in a tied vote on any matters put forth in the Council of Ministers.
Regency – Should the Liege Lord or Lady be unavailable for a period of one week or longer, the Prime Minister may assume the role of Regent. As Regent, the PM is permitted to make executive decisions, excepting the ability to declare war upon a foreign power – this role is reserved for the Liege Lord or Lady exclusively. However, in this role, the PM may not overrule previously decided topics or go against the demonstrated will of the Liege Lord or Lady. Should any ambiguity or uncertainty arise, the matters shall be laid aside until the return of the Liege Lord or Lady are available for clarification and, if necessary, mediation.
3:rd Chapter “The Council of Ministers (CoM)”
Template:LawChange-Note
§1 Generic Title:
Minister.
§2 Description:
The Council of Ministers serves as the primary forum for government discussion. The CoM shall be used to keep all ministries informed of each other’s major actions (minor actions, such as a newly created civilian warehouse or the relocation of a Y-Wing squadron, do not require being reported to the entire CoM) and to discuss large issues or problems. Should the Council be asked to make a proposal to the Liege Lord or Lady on any matter requiring their approval, a vote shall be taken amongst the six ministers. Should a tied vote result, the Prime Minister shall be allowed to cast the deciding vote.
§3 Primary Responsibilities:
Template:LawChange-Note
Ministries – Each minister is responsible for overseeing their ministry. No minister (including the Prime Minister) may make a change or issue an order to a member of another ministry without that minister’s prior consent. Each minister should be given a free hand in developing a structure, manner, and method of accounting for each responsibility given to them. The ministries are as follows in Chapters 4-9 of this Section.
4:th Chapter “Ministry of the Interior (MotI)”
§1 Title of Leader:
Minister of the Interior.
§2 Description:
The Ministry of the Interior functions to maintain the peace and security of all space within the borders of the Hapes Consortium. While it does not function in any military manner, it does maintain such units as are necessary to complete its policing and customs operations.
§3 Combine Privileges: Template:LawChange-Note Arrest, Member List
§4 Primary Responsibilities:
Template:LawChange-Note
Planetary Oversight – The MotI shall be responsible for overseeing all planetary governors and their commitments.
Legal Code – The MotI shall be responsible for creating, altering, and otherwise administrating the legal system as it pertains to everyone within the Hapes Consortium. All laws created by the MotI shall pertain to Hapan citizens and to all citizens of foreign nations and/or parties, civilian, military, or otherwise.
Judicial System – The MotI shall be responsible for creating, operating, altering, and otherwise administrating the judicial system for the entire Consortium. All members of the MotI Judiciary shall be responsible for being familiar with both the Civilian Legal Code and the Hapan Code of Military Justice. If the Minister of the Interior so desires, the Minister of Defence may appoint between one and three military officers familiar with the Hapan Code of Military Justice to assist the Judiciary in hearings and trials involving Hapan military personnel.
Customs – The MotI shall be responsible for creating and ensuring the enforcement of a system of customs operations to ensure that no contraband and/or hostile forces are allowed to covertly enter Hapan space.
5:th Chapter “Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)”
Template:LawChange-Note
§1 Title of Leader:
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
§2 Description:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs exists to provide a link to other groups, which wish to have an ongoing dialogue with the Hapes Consortium. It is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel which shall represent Hapan interests at any negotiations, save those that the Liege Lord or Lady choose to take part in personally; in such a case, such personnel shall serve as analysts and advisors.
§3 Combine Privileges:
Post Combine News.
§4 Primary Responsibilities:
Foreign Diplomacy – The MFA shall be responsible for maintaining any and all diplomatic ties with foreign nations and parties. Any lasting obligatory agreements must bear the final approval of the Liege Lord or Lady.
Corporate Relations – The MFA shall be responsible for maintaining relations with incorporated and/or nationalized corporations existing within and/or with the consent of the Hapes Consortium.
Investments – The MFA shall be responsible for investments made by Nationalised Companies, who sends MFA a budget report, which is later forwarded to the Liege Lord or Lady.
6:th Chapter “Ministry of Finance (MoF)”
§1 Title of Leader:
Minister of Finance.
§2 Description:
The Ministry of Finance protects the economy of the Hapes Consortium, ensuring that it does not fall into debt or bankruptcy. Furthermore, they will ensure wages are paid in a timely fashion, monitor and facilitate any foreign trade, and maintain the planetary taxes.
§3 Combine Privileges:
Manage Money, Member List.
§4 Primary Responsibilities:
Template:LawChange-Note
Taxes – The MoF shall be responsible for tallying and maintaining records on the current tax income for the Hapes Consortium.
Economy – The MoF shall be responsible for maintaining the overall economy of the Hapes Consortium.
Wages – The MoF shall be responsible for maintaining records regarding the wages of all personnel, setting new wage rates as may be necessary, and for paying those wages every month.
Trade – The MoF shall be responsible for making any trades with foreign states, corporations, or nations as may be necessary.
Investments – The MoF shall be responsible for maintaining records on all investments made by the Hapes Consortium and for authorizing any new investments as the situation may require.
7:th Chapter “Ministry of Culture (MoC)”
Template:LawChange-Del
§1 Title of Leader:
Minister of Culture.
§2 Description:
The Ministry of Culture is charged with developing the history, culture, and diversity of the Hapan people. Furthermore, the MoC shall oversee the construction of any civilian facilities and/or ships that may become necessary. Finally, they will be responsible for dealing with the needs of the civilian population.
§3 Privileges:
Manage Facilities, Post News.
§4 Primary Responsibilities:
Cultural Development – The MoC shall be responsible for creating a “total culture” for the Hapan race. This culture shall include such aspects as a history (including development, highlights, major periods in history, and battles, victories, and defeats), mannerisms, language and dialects, arts and humanities, and other portions as they see fit.
News casting – The MoC shall be responsible for reporting any important news (real or fictitious), events, or important information to any persons of a non-Hapan nature.
Events – The MoC shall be responsible for overseeing any major events such as holidays, parties, weddings, funerals, knightings, or other such events as might occur in which political or military concerns must not take precedence.
Civilian Construction – The MoC shall be responsible for constructing all ships, equipment, or facilities as may be necessary by the civilian populations of the Hapes Consortium. This includes the founding of new urban locales.
Civilian Member Management – The MoC shall be responsible for maintaining all needs of the civilian members of the Hapes Consortium and ensuring those needs are met. This does not give the MoC any authority over such personnel, save any paperwork as which may be necessary to ensure their needs are met.
8:th Chapter “Ministry of Intelligence (MoI)”
Template:LawChange-Note
§1 Title of Leader:
Minister of Intelligence.
§2 Description:
The Ministry of Intelligence shall be responsible for overseeing any intelligence gathering operations, both within the borders of Hapan space and in regard to foreign powers. They shall also be charged with maintaining the security of sensitive information and preventing foreign espionage. Finally, they are responsible for overseeing any covert actions undertaken by the Hapes Consortium.
§3 Combine Privileges:
Template:LawChange-Note
Arrest, Member List.
§4 Primary Responsibilities:
Template:LawChange-Note
Foreign Intelligence - The MoI shall be responsible for maintaining an active and current database regarding all information available regarding any foreign nations, corporations, and parties.
Internal Security - The MoI shall be responsible for maintaining the security of all information within the Hapes Consortium, ensuring that no foreign operatives enter the ranks of the Hapan government. The MoI may issue arrest warrants to its personnel for those operatives, which may be discovered in order to ensure a timely capture. Any such operatives apprehended in this manner will then be turned over to the MotI for processing and due process.
Covert Operations - The MoI shall be responsible for any covert actions that the Hapes Consortium sees fit to take.
9:th Chapter “Ministry of Trade (MoT)”
Template:LawChange-Del
§1 Title of Leader:
Minister of Trade.
§2 Description:
The Ministry is responsible for trading in the name of the Hapan government and bringing in additional funds or hardware for the cluster.
§3 Combine Privileges:
N/A
§4 Primary Responsibilities:
Trade – The MoT shall be responsible for making any trades with foreign states, corporations, or nations for monetary and material benefits.
X-II Chapter "Ministry of Industry (MoInd)"
X-III Chapter "Ministry of Defence (MoD)"
X-IV Chapter "Civil Service (CS)"
Section II: Ministries
“1:st Chapter Ministries Regulations”
Template:LawChange-Note §1 Overview - Within the government of the Hapes Consortium, there are five ministries, each overseeing their own respective responsibilities. Each ministry shall be responsible for maintaining itself in a reasonable fashion, preventing its personnel from becoming inactive, and, if necessary, generating enough work to keep all personnel occupied. Lack of work shall never be considered an acceptable excuse for loosing personnel. If work is lacking, either the junior personnel or the minister themselves must create projects and work to keep their personnel suitably productive.
§2 Ministry Structure - While each ministry has set responsibilities they must uphold, how they choose to fulfill those responsibilities is entirely up to the minister. Each minister may structure their ministry as they believe is fit to fulfill all responsibilities given to them, provided their methods do not overlap with those of another ministry. Should any ministry create a structure in which another minister questions a possible overlap, it shall be given to a vote by the Council of Ministers.
Template:LawChange-Note §3 Ministry Actions - Within each ministry, the minister is allowed absolute authority (excepting only the Liege Lord or Lady). No other minister (including the Prime Minister) may issue an order or make a change without their consent. It is expected that subordinates of each ministry will show respect towards each minister, but it is not required that they follow their orders. Should one minister take issue with a subordinate of another minister, the first should take that matter up with the subordinate’s minister and allow them to deal with the matter as they see fit.
§4 Adding or Removing Ministry Responsibilities - A ministry may add or remove responsibilities from their ministry after making the Council of Ministers aware of the change. Unless a ministry objects that the addition conflicts with their own ministry, additions do not require a Council Vote. Should a conflict be perceived, however, a Council Vote is necessary to approve such a change. Removing a responsibility always requires a Council Vote.
Template:LawChange-Note §5 Communications - While it is not necessary for each ministry to report every detail to the Council of Ministers, it is expected that major actions will be presented in order to keep all aware of what is occurring. Once a week, it is required that all ministers present a weekly update to the Council of Ministers informing them of all major actions that had occurred the week before, the success or failure of those actions, and future intentions. It shall then fall to the Prime Minister to collect these reports and make a final report to the Liege Lord or Lady, presenting the actions, his interpretation, and personal feelings regarding the matter.
§6 Council Votes - Any minister may request a Council Vote on any matter open for discussion. If another minister seconds the request, a Council Vote shall commence. The vote is an open vote, each minister announcing to the entire Council his or her vote. Should a tie occur, the Prime Minister will cast the seventh and deciding vote. If the issue was a proposal by the Council of Ministers to the Liege Lord or Lady, the proposal shall be given as the majority decided, with the vote tally being announced with the proposal. Example: “Your Majesty, the Council of Ministers proposes a declaration of war upon the people of Dagobah. The vote was three to two, majority in favour.” OR “Your Majesty, the Council of Ministers proposes to deny the truce requested by the people of Dagobah. The vote was two to three, majority not favouring.”
§7 Declaring a Minister Unfit - Should the Prime Minister consider any minister to be unfit to carry out their duty or believes they are not fulfilling their duty to their fullest ability, they may request a Vote of Confidence. While similar to a Council Vote, there are a few major exceptions. First, a Vote of Confidence may only be initiated by the Prime Minister. It is the duty of the Prime Minister to oversee the duties of the ministers; this is their ability to enforce that responsibility. Second, the Prime Minister and the accused minister shall not have a vote. This is in order to prevent unfairness in the votes. The remaining five ministers will then select a Vote Leader. The council shall cast their votes publicly, announcing them openly. The Vote Leader will then tally the votes and bring the proposal to the Liege Lord or Lady. It is the final decision of the Liege Lord or Lady as to whether a minister is unfit for duty or not.
Template:LawChange-Note §8 Declaring the Prime Minister Unfit - Just as a minister may be declared unfit for duty, the Prime Minister may also be declared unfit for duty. This proposal may come from any minister, but on the understanding that if the Prime Minister is removed from their position, that person may not be permitted to take up the vacated position. This is in order to prevent the unlikely, but still possible, chance of a person attempting to gain political status in this way. The Vote of Confidence is the same in nature as that of declaring a minister unfit for duty. The accusing party and the Prime Minister may not vote. Aside from that modification, the Vote of Confidence proceeds as usual.
Section III: Prohibited Actions
1:st Chapter “Prohibited Actions”
§1 Overview - It is always possible for such power to get out of hand. Whenever one delegates power, this is a potential risk. For this reason, the following actions are not permitted to the Council of Ministers.
Template:LawChange-Note §2 The CoM may not select a new Liege Lord or Lady. Should the current L3 elect to step down from their position, they shall select their successor. The CoM shall abide by the L3’s decision.
§3 The CoM may not appoint nobility. This right is reserved by the L3. Only they may appoint a new noble. However, the ceremony may be presided over by the Minister of Culture if the L3 so wishes.
§4 The CoM may not operate in such a way that it purposely ignores the L3. The Liege Lord or Lady is the ruler of Hapes. So shall it remain, always.
§5 The CoM may not deliberately pass the L3 misinformation in order to gain greater operational freedom or to secure greater authority in the Hapes Consortium. They are granted what authority they have by the grace of the Liege Lord or Lady. So shall it remain, always.
