From TF Library

On Year 13, Day 346, Their Lordships: Viceroy Jacob Jansen and Duceroy Olwin Froon, and Their Excellencies: Xavier Hood, Minister of Defense; Nohv Schiller, Minister of the Interior; and Vas Felix, Minister of Production, signed and effectuated the Charter of the Trade Federation. The Charter of the Trade Federation was the latest incarnation of the Articles of Confederation, revised and updated to be an effective ruling charter for the growing and developing Trade Federation.


Trade Federation: Charter
Ratified on unknown date by Viceroy Corbin Esco
Updated on Year 9, Day 12 by Viceroy Jacob Jansen and his Cabinet
Updated on Year 11, Day 107 by Viceroy Jacob Jansen and his Cabinet
Updated on Year 13, Day 346 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 1 Article I. Viceroyal Powers 1.1 A. Titles 1.2 B. Eligibility 1.3 C. Succession 1.4 D. Removal 1.5 E. Residence 1.6 F. Special Powers 2 Article II. The Regent 2.1 A. Titles 2.2 B. Eligibility 2.3 C. Succession 2.4 D. Removal 2.5 E. Residence 2.6 F. Special Powers 3 Article III. The Duceroy 3.1 A. Titles 3.2 B. Eligibility 3.3 C. Succession 3.4 D. Removal 3.5 E. Residence 3.6 F. Special Powers 4 Article IV. The Trade Federation Cabinet 4.1 A. Cabinet Members 4.2 B. Eligibility 4.3 C. Succession 4.4 D. Removal 4.5 E. Residence 4.6 F. Special Powers 5 Article V. The Chief Justice 5.1 A. Titles 5.2 B. Eligibility 5.3 C. Succession 5.4 D. Removal 5.5 E. Residence 5.6 F. Special Powers 6 Article VI. The Directorate 6.1 A. Directorate Members 6.2 B. Eligibilty 6.3 C. Succession 6.4 D. Removal 6.5 E. Residence 6.6 F. Special Powers 7 Article VII. Amendments 7.1 A. Proposal 7.2 B. Vote 7.3 C. Incorporation 8 Article VIII. Codes of the Trade Federation 8.1 A. Authorized Codes of the Trade Federation 8.2 B. Statutes 8.3 C. Proposal 8.4 D. Vote 8.5 E. Incorporation and Enactment 9 Article IX. Acts of the Trade Federation 9.1 A. Authorized Acts of the Trade Federation 9.2 B. Acts 9.3 C. Enactment 9.4 D. Incorporation 9.5 E. Invalidation 10 Article X. Standard Rules of Order 10.1 A. Quorum 10.2 B. Voting 10.3 C. Exceptions

Article I. Viceroyal Powers

The Viceroy shall be the Head of State for the Trade Federation.

A. Titles

The Viceroy of the Trade Federation is also known as the following:

• Prime Minister of the Trade Federation Cabinet
• Commander-in-Chief of all Trade Federation Armed Forces
• Lord Governor of the Taanab system
• Lord Ambassador for the Trade Federation
• Governor of all Trade Federation Territories

B. Eligibility

For an individual to ascend to the role of Viceroy of the Trade Federation, a citizen of the Trade Federation must be appointed by the Cabinet

C. Succession

In the event of the removal of the Viceroy, if a Regent is appointed, the Regent will assume the role of Viceroy of the Trade Federation. The move of Regent to Viceroy can only be overturned by a unanimous vote of no confidence in the Regent by the remaining members of the Cabinet.

If no Regent is appointed, or the Regent receives a vote of no confidence, the Duceroy will assume the title of Acting Viceroy, and the Cabinet must appoint a new Viceroy from the ranks of the Cabinet with a 3/4ths majority vote of the Cabinet members.

If no Duceroy is available to assume the title of Acting Viceroy, the succession will be as follows:

• Minister of the Interior
• Minister of Defense
• Minister of Production
• Deputy Minister of the Interior
• Deputy Minister of Defense
• Deputy Minister of Production

D. Removal

The Viceroy can be removed from office for the following reasons:

• Treason
• Theft of Federation property
• incapacitating illness and/or death
• leaving the Trade Federation

The Viceroy may also wish to give up his title and retire if he therefore wishes.

E. Residence

The Viceroy's residence is in the Trade Federation Palace on the planet Taanab of the Taanab system located in the Zeemacht Cluster.
If the Trade Federation Palace is captured or it is deemed unsafe for the Viceroy, the Viceroy's residence and office of command will be transferred to the nearest Lucrehulk Battleship, or an undisclosed location established under the protection of the Trade Federation Armed Forces.
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. Special Powers

The Viceroy can deploy forces at will, but under supervision of the Cabinet. Only a unanimous vote of all Cabinet Ministers can overturn such an action.

Article II. The Regent

The Regent is first in the line of succession for Viceroy of the Trade Federation, and main responsibilities are determined by the Viceroy, who defines the majority of the Regent's duties as circumstances require

A. Titles

The Regent of the Trade Federation shall only be known as the Regent of the Trade Federation.

B. Eligibility

The Regent of the Trade Federation is appointed by the Viceroy of the Trade Federation from the citizens of the Trade Federation or a citizen of one of the Nationalized Factions of the Trade Federation.

C. Succession

There is no line of succession to the Regent, the Viceroy is free to appoint any other citizen of the Trade Federation or Nationalized Factions of the Trade Federation to the seat of Regent.

D. Removal

The Regent can be removed from office for the following reasons:

• Treason
• Theft of Federation property
• incapacitating illness and/or death
• leaving the Trade Federation

If the Regent feels he can no longer continue his duties, he may step down from the position with an honorable discharge.

E. Residence

The Regent of the Trade Federation maintains special residence within the Trade Federation Palace on Taanab and offices located within the Trade Federation Capital Building.

F. Special Powers

The Regent currently shares in no enumerated powers within the Trade Federation.

Article III. The Duceroy

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.

A. Titles

The Duceroy of the Trade Federation shall only be known as the Duceroy of the Trade Federation.

B. Eligibility

For an individual to ascend to the role of Duceroy of the Trade Federation, a citizen of the Trade Federation must be nominated by the Viceroy. After the nomination, the Cabinet Ministers will vote on the nomination and a majority of 3/4ths of the Ministers is required to make the nominee the official Duceroy.
In the event that the Cabinet Ministers refuse or cannot reach a 3/4ths majority, the Viceroy must nominate another individual for the position.

C. Succession

In the event of the removal of the Duceroy, the Viceroy will nominate a successor for the position of Duceroy, and the normal rules of Eligibility will apply. During the duration of the new appointment, 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.

D. Removal

The Duceroy can be removed from office for the following reasons:

• Treason
• Theft of Federation property
• incapacitating illness and/or death
• leaving the Trade Federation

If the Duceroy feels he can no longer continue his duties, he may step down from the position with an honorable discharge.

E. Residence

The Duceroy of the Trade Federation maintains special residence within the Trade Federation Palace on Taanab and offices located within the Trade Federation Capital Building on Taanab.

F. Special Powers

• 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.

• The Duceroy, under direction of the Viceroy, is able to spend the credits in the treasury of the

Trade Federation.

• 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.

Article IV. The Trade Federation Cabinet

The Trade Federation Cabinet is the authorized decision-making body of the Trade Federation.

A. Cabinet Members

The members of the Cabinet are as follows:

• the Viceroy
• the Regent, if appointed
• the Duceroy
• the Ministers of the Trade Federation Ministries

B. Eligibility

Only citizens of the Trade Federation who are standing Ministers of any of the Federation Ministries can be inducted into the Cabinet as voting members.
For any Ministries that may be developed after the passage of this Charter, the Minister of that Ministry will be considered an advisor to the Cabinet, until such a time that the Viceroy, Regent, Duceroy and current Cabinet Ministers agree unanimously to accept the Minister as a voting member of the Cabinet.

C. Succession

In the event of a removal of a Cabinet Minister, the Deputy Minister will act in the capacity of the removed Minister until such a time that the Viceroy, Duceroy, and current Cabinet Ministers agree unanimously upon the successor to the removed Cabinet Minister.

D. Removal

Ministers and Advisors can be removed for the following reasons:

• Treason
• Theft of Federation property
• by decision of the Viceroy with the agreement of the Duceroy
• incapacitating illness and/or death
• leaving the Trade Federation or a Nationalized Faction

Cabinet Ministers are able to step down at any time from their position with an honorable discharge.

E. Residence

The Cabinet Chambers of the Trade Federation are located within the Trade Federation Capital Building on Taanab.

F. Special Powers

The Cabinet may choose to allow advisors within the Cabinet Chambers for discussions of interests to the Trade Federation. An advisor must be a citizen of the Trade Federation or a Nationalized Faction that is nominated by the Cabinet, then approved unanimously by the Viceroy, Regent, Duceroy and Cabinet Ministers prior to admittance to the Cabinet Chambers. Advisors serve a lifetime term until they are no longer eligible for reasons listed above under this Article, Section D.

Article V. The Chief Justice

The Chief Justice has the sole duty to interpret the Charter of the Trade Federation and its laws, and in the event of a dispute of law the Chief Justice’s interpretation will be the accepted interpretation of the Trade Federation.

A. Titles

The Chief Justice of the Trade Federation shall only be known as the Chief Justice of the Trade Federation.

B. Eligibility

For an individual to become the Chief Justice of the Trade Federation, a citizen of the Trade Federation must be nominated by the Viceroy. After the nomination, the Cabinet will vote on the nomination and a majority of 2/3rds of the Cabinet is required to make the nominee the official Chief Justice.
In the event that the Cabinet refuse or cannot reach a 2/3rds majority, the Viceroy must nominate another individual for the position.

C. Succession

In the event of the removal of the Chief Justice, the Viceroy will nominate a successor for the position of Chief Justice, and the normal rules of Eligibility will apply. During the duration of the new appointment, the most senior Justice shall assume the responsibilities of the Office of the Chief Justice until such a time that the new Chief Justice nominee receives an approval of 2/3rds of the Cabinet.

D. Removal

The Chief Justice can be removed for the following reasons:

• Treason
• Theft of Federation property
• by decision of the Viceroy with agreement from the Duceroy
• incapacitating illness and/or death, and
• leaving the Trade Federation

If the Chief Justice feels he can no longer continue his duties, he may step down from the position with an honorable discharge.
The Chief Justice will serve a lifetime term or until the Viceroy who appointed him Chief Justice is no longer in office, or is no longer eligible for reasons listed above under this Article, Section D.

E. Residence

The Halls of the High Court of the Trade Federation are located within the Trade Federation Capital Building on Taanab.

F. Special Powers

• The Chief Justice will oversee the judiciary responsible for all court cases concerning the

citizens of the Trade Federation. A decision and/or interpretation made by the Chief Justice can only be renounced by the Viceroy.

• The Chief Justice has jurisdiction solely over the Department of Justice and reports directly to

the Cabinet, in the role of advisor.

Article VI. The Directorate

The Directorate is the forum for discussing issues of governance for the Trade Federation, and to inform the Cabinet on matters of decisions.

A. Directorate Members

The members of the Directorate are as follows:

• the Cabinet,
• the Deputy Ministers of the Trade Federation Ministries
• the Evocati Grand Lord
• the General of the Federation Security Service
• the Commanding Officers of the Trade Federation Fleets
• the Directors of the Trade Federation Departments, holding full-time positions
• the Deputy Directors of the Trade Federation Departments, holding full-time positions

B. Eligibilty

Only citizens of the Trade Federation who are currently in the above listed positions will serve as a member of the Directorate.
For any positions that may be developed after the passage of this Charter, the position will not be considered within the Directorate, until such a time that the Viceroy, Regent, Duceroy, and Cabinet Ministers agree with a 2/3 majority to accept the position as being within the Directorate.

C. Succession

In the event of a removal of a Directorate member, the Cabinet will oversee the accepted process of replacement for that position.

D. Removal

Directorate members can be removed for the following reasons:

• Treason
• Theft of Federation property
• by decision of the Viceroy and/or Duceroy
• by decision of their Minister with approval from the Viceroy and Duceroy
• incapacitating illness and/or death
• leaving the Trade Federation or a Nationalized Faction

Directorate members are able to step down at any time from their position with an honorable discharge.

E. Residence

The Directorate Forums are located near the Cabinet Chambers within the Trade Federation Capital Building on Taanab.

F. Special Powers

The Directorate currently shares in no enumerated powers within the Trade Federation.

Article VII. Amendments

Amendments can be made to the Charter of the Trade Federation Articles at any time.

A. Proposal

Amendments may be proposed by the Viceroy, Regent, Duceroy or any Cabinet Minister. All proposed amendments are to be reviewed by the Chief Justice with a report of any legal findings of issue in the amendment to the Cabinet, prior to a call for a vote.

B. Vote

After presentation of any legal findings, a second Cabinet member, either the Viceroy, Regent, Duceroy or any Cabinet Minister, other than the Cabinet member who made the original proposal, may call for a vote for the passage of the proposed amendment.For a proposed amendment to become an Amendment to the Charter of the Trade Federation, the above directions of Proposal must be adhered to, and a final vote of the Cabinet must reach a unanimous decision of approval for passage to amend the Charter of the Trade Federation.

C. Incorporation

The Chief Justice of the Trade Federation will be tasked with amending the Charter of the Trade Federation with any amendment that receives passage. Upon completion of incorporation of any new amendment, the Chief Justice will present the revised Charter of the Trade Federation to the Cabinet. After presentation of the revised Charter of the Trade Federation, the Cabinet must reach a 2/3rd majority vote to accept the revised Charter. If a 2/3rd majority vote is not reached, the Chief Justice will revise and present the Charter again until the Cabinet reaches a 2/3rd majority vote.

Article VIII. Codes of the Trade Federation

A. Authorized Codes of the Trade Federation

• The Trade Federation shall maintain and enact a Civil Code, known as the Trade

Federation Code of Commerce.

• The Trade Federation shall maintain and enact a Penal Code, known as the Trade

Federation Penal Code.

• The Trade Federation shall maintain and enact a Code of Military Justice, known as the Trade

Federation Armed Forces Code of Military Justice.

B. Statutes

The Trade Federation may enact statutes, in accordance with these Articles, for the orderly governance of the Federation. These statutes may either amend or add to the authorized Codes of the Trade Federation. Statutes may also be proffered to revoke standing statutes from the authorized Codes of the Trade Federation.

C. Proposal

Any member of the Trade Federation may propose amended or new statutes to the Chief Justice. Only members of the Cabinet may offer statutes to revoke a standing statute. Upon review of either an amended, new or revoking statute, the Chief Justice will then present the proposed statute to the Cabinet with any legal findings of issue in the statute.

D. Vote

After presentation of any legal findings, the Viceroy, Regent, Duceroy or any Cabinet Minister may call for a vote for the passage of the proposed statute. If the statute was originally proposed by a Cabinet member, a second Cabinet member must call for a vote.
For a proposed statute to become a statute or amend a current statute of any of the authorized Codes of the Trade Federation, the above directions of Proposal must be adhered to, and a final vote of the Cabinet must reach a 3/4th majority decision of approval for passage.
For a proposed statute to revoke a standing statute of any of the authorized Codes of the Trade Federation, the above directions of Proposal must be adhered to, and a final vote of the Cabinet must reach a unanimous decision of approval for passage.

E. Incorporation and Enactment

Where the Viceroy, in his discretion, deems public comment of proposed legislation appropriate, he may open proposed statutes to public or partial-public comment before a call for a vote.Enactment of legislation shall be a unilateral power of the Viceroy, which shall include the discretion to determine how proposed statutes will be enacted, be it immediately or upon the passage of time after public announcement of pending enactment.
Upon enactment, the Chief Justice of the Trade Federation will be tasked with amending, adding or revoking the statute to the appropriate authorized Code of the Trade Federation. Upon completion of incorporation of any new statute, the Chief Justice will present the revised Code of the Trade Federation to the Cabinet. After presentation of the revised Code of the Trade Federation, the Cabinet must reach a simple majority vote to accept the revised Code of the Trade Federation. If a simple majority vote is not reached, the Chief Justice will revise and present the Code again until the Cabinet reaches a simple majority vote.
Statutes shall be deemed enacted, in full force and effect and binding on the citizens of the Trade Federation and associated members upon the passage of the revised Code and its reposting in the Laws section of the Trade Federation website.

Article IX. Acts of the Trade Federation

Act is a general term to represent decrees of the Viceroy, the Cabinet or those authorized by the Viceroy.

A. Authorized Acts of the Trade Federation

• Protectorate Act
• Restricted Technology Act

B. Acts

The Viceroy, Cabinet and authorized individuals may enact Acts, in accordance with this Charter, for the orderly governance and preservation of the Federation. These Acts may either be temporary or permanent, and include orders, directives and treaties with other galactic factions. Acts may also be proffered to revoke standing Acts from the authorized Acts of the Trade Federation.

C. Enactment

Only the Viceroy, members of the Cabinet or authorized individuals may enact an Act. Acts do not require a review by the Chief Justice prior to being enacted.

D. Incorporation

Upon enactment, the Chief Justice of the Trade Federation will be tasked with adding or revoking the Act to the authorized Acts of the Trade Federation.
Statutes shall be deemed enacted, in full force and effect and binding on the citizens of the Trade Federation and associated members upon the posting of the Act in the Laws section of the Trade Federation website.

E. Invalidation

After an Act has been enacted and made part of the Authorized Acts of the Trade Federation, it can be challenged by a 2/3 majority of the Cabinet, requiring a judicial review of the Act by the Chief Justice to determine the Acts legality in light of this Charter and the laws of the Trade Federation. If the Chief Justice holds an Act to be legal, it shall remain an Authorized Act of the Trade Federation on its own terms. If the Chief Justice holds an Act to be illegal, a vote of invalidation is required with a 3/4 majority of the Cabinet to invalidate and strike the Act from the Authorized Acts of the Trade Federation.

Article X. Standard Rules of Order

A. Quorum

The Trade Federation Cabinet is the only body of the Trade Federation Government with a Quorum requirement. For the Cabinet to call for a vote on a matter of governance, a presence of 2/3rds members must be in attendance.
The Viceroy reserves the ability to call for a vote on any matter of governance, whether or not 2/3rds of the Cabinet members are present for the call for a vote.

B. Voting

1) A time frame for the period allowed for a vote can be decided at the time of the call for a vote. The following are permitted time frames:

• 24 hours
• 72 hours
• 7 days
• 14 days
• 30 days

At the time of the call for a vote, the Viceroy can require a time frame for the vote, or a Cabinet member can request a time frame, but requires a 3/4ths majority agreement from the Cabinet to give full force and effect to the requested time frame. The procedure for placing a vote during a time frame vote shall consist of the Cabinet member relaying their yea, nay or abstention to the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice will keep records of all votes for disclosure at the end of the allowable time frame. If the Chief Justice receives all votes prior to the expiration of the time frame, the Chief Justice will inform the Viceroy that all votes have been received, and the Viceroy can choose whether to end the vote, or maintain the time frame until it expires under its own terms. Cabinet members may declare a vote invalid and relay a different vote to the Chief Justice up until the time that the Viceroy has ended the vote, or the time frame expires under its own terms. If a Cabinet member does not relay a vote to the Chief Justice prior to the expiration of the time frame under its own terms, the vote will default to an abstention.

2) A majority requirement for the passage of a vote can be decided at the time of the call for a vote. Abstentions are never tallied for purposes of determining a majority requirement. A majority requirement will be those votes in favor and votes against tallied together. The following are permitted majority requirements:

• A simple majority, 1/2 plus one
• A 2/3rds majority
• A 3/4ths majority
• A unanimous decisionAt the time of the call for a vote, the Viceroy can require a majority requirement for the vote, or

a Cabinet member can request a majority requirement, but this requires a 3/4 majority agreement from the Cabinet to give full force and effect to the requested majority requirement. Once a majority requirement is in force and effect, that requirement must be met for a successful passage on a vote.

C. Exceptions

A majority requirement will not be allowed to disagree with any majority requirement set forth herein by this Charter.