Articles of Confederation
From TF Library
Trade Federation: Articles of Confederation
Ratified on unknown date by Viceroy Corbin Esco
Updated on Year 9, Day 12 by Viceroy Jacob Jansen and his Cabinet
"We, the traders of the galaxy come together to form a Federation that protects the rights of traders and provide a safe haven for the honest traders and peoples of the galaxy. We form this Federation with a great spirit of tenacity in order to become a sovereign government within this galaxy. Furthermore we reserve the right to be a free standing government without any external influence, free of persecution and coercion and remain a neutral force in any war, offering all participants, equal opportunities to take advantage of Trade Federation services."
Contents |
Article I. Viceroyal Powers
A. The Viceroy of the Trade Federation is the Trade Federation Head of State, head of the Trade Federation Cabinet, Commander-in-Chief of Trade Federation armed forces, Lord Governor of the Vinsoth system, Chief Ambassador for the Trade Federation and Governor of all Trade Federation Territories.
B. To be eligible for Viceroy, one must be ether appointed by the Trade Federation Cabinet or hold the title of Regent of the Trade Federation. The Regent will automatically assume Viceroy if the position becomes available. If no Regent is appointed, the Duceroy will assume the title of Acting Viceroy and the Trade Federation Cabinet must appoint a new Viceroy. All Cabinet members must agree unanimously on the appointment.
C. The Viceroy can be removed from office for the following reasons. Treason, Theft of Federation property, incapacitating illness and death. The Viceroy may also wish to give up his title and retire if he therefore wishes.
D. The Viceroys residence and thus the capitol of the Trade Federation is in the Government House on the planet Vinsoth, of the Vinsoth system, of the Glythe sector. If the Government House of Vinsoth is captured or it is deemed unsafe for the Viceroy, the Viceroy's residence and HQ is then transferred to the closest possible Lucrehulk Battleship, or a different, established and undisclosed location under the protection of the Trade Federation Armed Forces.
E. Any Trade Federation Capital ship transporting the Viceroy holds the call sign “TFF” (Trade Federation Flagship). If the Viceroy is not present on any Federation Capital ship, the call sign will transfer back to the designated Flagship of the Trade Federation.
F. The Viceroy can deploy forces at will, but under supervision of the Cabinet. Only a unanimous vote of the Cabinet can overturn such an action.
Article II. Duceroyal Powers
A. The Duceroy shall have executive authority under the direction of the Viceroy and is the de facto second in command of the Trade Federation. The Duceroy shall share in the responsibilities of running the day-to-day operations of the Trade Federation. If the Viceroy is unable to perform his duties on any occasion, the Duceroy will take charge of the Trade Federation until the Viceroy returns.
B. The Duceroy, under direction of the Viceroy, is able to spend the credits in the treasury of the Trade Federation.
C. If no Regent is appointed, the Duceroy is second in the line of succession for Viceroy of the Trade Federation. If a Regent is appointed, the Duceroy is third in the line of succession.
D. If the Viceroy is temporarily away, the Duceroy will assume all authority of the Viceroy while he is away. The Cabinet shall appoint a temporary Duceroy. The temporary Duceroy is appointed out of the Cabinet members. The temporary Duceroy is then to perform the duties of the Duceroy as well as his previous duties before receiving the title of Acting Duceroy.
E. The Duceroy can be removed for the following reasons: treason, theft of Federation property, and under strong recommendation of the Viceroy. The Duceroy may also be removed for incapacitating illness and death. If the Duceroy feels he can no longer continue his duties, he may step down from the position in honorable discharge.
F. In selecting the Duceroy the following procedure will occur. The Viceroy selects an individual to be nominated for the position of Duceroy. After the nomination, the Cabinet will vote on the nomination and a majority of 3/4 of the Cabinet is needed to make the nominee the official Duceroy. In an event that the Cabinet refuses, the Viceroy must nominate another individual for the position.
G. The Duceroy will serve a lifetime term.
Article III. Cabinet
A. The Trade Federation Cabinet is made up of the Viceroy, Regent, Duceroy and 4 Ministers of the Trade Federation. It consists of 7 members and is the decision-making body of the Trade Federation.
B. Only members of the Minister rank can be inducted into the Trade Federation Cabinet as voting members. To be inducted, the Viceroy, Duceroy, and current Cabinet must agree unanimously.
C. Select members of the Trade Federation are eligible to advise the Trade Federation Cabinet and gain access to the Cabinet Chambers. The Viceroy, Duceroy, and current Cabinet must agree unanimously to induct an advisor to the Cabinet.
D. Ministers and Advisors can be removed for the following reasons: treason, theft of Federation property, and under strong recommendation of the Viceroy. Cabinet members can be removed for incapacitating illness or death. Cabinet members are able to step down at any time from their position with an honorable discharge.
E. Ministers and Advisors serve a lifetime term until they are no longer eligible to remain in the Trade Federation Cabinet as listed in Article III, Section B and C.
Article IV. Chief Justice
A. The Chief Justice will be nominated by the Viceroy and must be agreed upon by the Duceroy. The Cabinet will then vote on the nominee approved by both the Viceroy and Duceroy. There must be a 2/3 Cabinet vote to make the nominee the official Chief Justice.
B. The Chief Justice has the sole duty to interpret the Trade Federation Constitution and in the event of a constitutional dispute the Chief Justice’s interpretation will be the official interpretation.
C. The Chief Justice will conduct all court cases concerning the members of the Trade Federation. The court will consist of the Chief Justice as judge, a jury of all the Cabinet members plus an equal amount of randomly chosen Trade Federation members, and two CIS member appointed lawyers.
D. Once the Chief Justice has made a decision in court only the Viceroy can overturn the decision.
E. The Chief Justice has jurisdiction solely over the Justice Department and reports directly to the Viceroy.
F. The Chief Justice will serve a lifetime term or until the Viceroy who appointed him/her Chief Justice is no longer in office.
G. The Chief Justice can be removed for the following reasons: treason, theft of Federation property, and under strong recommendation of the Viceroy. The Chief Justice may also be removed for incapacitating illness and death. If the Chief Justice feels he can no longer continue his duties, he may step down from the position in honorable discharge.
Article V. Regent
A. Regent is appointed by the Viceroy of the Trade Federation.
B. The Regent is first in the line of succession for Viceroy of the Trade Federation.
C. The Regent must be a member of the Trade Federation or a member of one of a Nationalized Faction. If the Regent leaves the Trade Federation or a Nationalized Faction, the title is automatically revoked.
D. If the position of Viceroy becomes available, the Regent will automatically assume the position. Only a unanimous vote of no confidence by the Federation Cabinet and the Chief Justice can revoke the appointment.
Article VI. Viceroyal Line of succession
- Regent (If appointed)
- Duceroy
- Minister of the Interior
- Minister of State
- Minister of Defense
- Minister of Production
- Deputy Minister of the Interior
- Deputy Minister of State
- Deputy Minister of Defense
- Deputy Minister of Production
Article VII. Amendments
A. Amendments can be made to the Trade Federation Constitution at any time.
B. An amendment not made into law at any point will be called a bill in the Trade Federation Constitution.
C. Bills can be offered from any member of the Cabinet, Viceroy, and Duceroy. The Chief Justice can not offer bills.
