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
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.
