Trade Federation Charter

“We, the traders of the galaxy come together to form a Federation that protects the rights of traders and provides a safe haven for the honest traders and sentient beings 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.”

Article I. The Viceroy

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

1. 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.
2. The Viceroy can award the titles of Duke and Governor with the advice and consent of the full Cabinet

Article II. The Trade Federation Inner Circle

The Trade Federation Inner Circle is a coterie which forms the succession for the Viceroy of the Trade Federation, formed of 3-4 high ranking members of the Trade Federation. It serves to act as a balance to the Viceroy. Members of the Inner Circle can also serve in other positions within the Trade Federation.

A. Titles

The members of the Trade Federation Inner Circle shall only be known as Councillors of the Trade Federation Inner Circle.

B. Purpose and Powers

The Trade Federation Inner Circle works to ensure that the Viceroy continues to work towards improving the Trade Federation.

The Inner Circle is charged with the power to revoke or ratify executive actions taken by the Viceroy, but are resolved to abide by the Cabinet votes enumerated within the Charter.

To this end, the Councillors of the Trade Federation Inner Circle sit on the faction panel. 

C. Eligibility

For an individual to ascend to the Trade Federation Inner Circle, a citizen of the Trade Federation must be appointed by the Cabinet.

D. Appointment

The individual is first nominated by the Viceroy of the Trade Federation to the Inner Circle, and must carry a unanimous vote within the Inner Circle to continue the nomination. The Viceroy will then take the nominee and be proposed to the Cabinet for a vote. The vote shall require a 3/4ths majority of the voting Cabinet members.

E. Removal

A Councillor of the Trade Federation Inner Circle can be removed from office for the following reasons:

• Treason,
• Theft of Federation property,
• Incapacitating illness and/or death,
• Withdrawing from the Trade Federation, Nationalized Faction, approved affiliates, 
• By a majority vote of the Inner Circle.

If a Councillor feels that they can no longer continue their duties, they may step down from the position with an honorable discharge.

F. Residence

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

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. Appointment
The Viceroy at his discretion, may appoint a Duceroy, all Duceroyal appointments remain bound by the rules for eligibility.
D. Removal
The Duceroy can be removed from office for the following reasons:

• Treason,
• Theft of Federation property
• By decision of the Viceroy
• incapacitating illness and/or death
• Withdrawing from 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

1. 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.
2. The Duceroy, under direction of the Viceroy, is able to spend the credits in the treasury of the Trade Federation.
3. If the Viceroy is temporarily away, the Duceroy will assume all authority of the Viceroy while he is away.

Article IV. The Trade Federation Cabinet

The Trade Federation Cabinet is the authorized decision-making body of the Trade Federation.
A. Cabinet Members
The voting members of the Cabinet are as follows:

• the Viceroy,
• the Duceroy, if appointed,
• the Councillors of the Inner Circle,
• 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 voting Cabinet members 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 Viceroy shall identify a Directorate member of the Ministry to act in the capacity of the removed Minister until such a time that the voting Cabinet members 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
• Withdrawing from 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. Advisors

1. The Viceroy may appoint an advisors with the advice and consent of the Cabinet.
2. Advisors are non-voting members of the Cabinet. 
3. All Advisors must be citizens of the Trade Federation. Advisors serve at the pleasure of the Viceroy.

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 interpretation of the Chief Justice 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. The Cabinet members will vote on the nomination, requiring a 2/3rds majority to elevate the nominee to the Chief Justice. In the event that the voting Cabinet members dismiss the nominee, or a 2/3rds majority is not achieved, the Viceroy must nominate another citizen 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
• Withdrawing from 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

1. 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.
2. 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 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
• Positions deemed necessary by order of the Viceroy.

B. Eligibility
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 voting Cabinet Cabinet members 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
• Withdrawing from 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 any voting Cabinet member. 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 voting Cabinet member 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 by the voting Cabinet members 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 voting Cabinet members  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 voting 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 voting Cabinet members may call for a vote for the passage of the proposed statute. If the statute was originally proposed by a Cabinet member, a second voting 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 voting Cabinet members 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 voting Cabinet members 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 voting Cabinet members 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 voting Cabinet members 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 re- posting 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, the 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 voting Cabinet members, 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 voting Cabinet members 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 Inner Circle and the Trade Federation Cabinet are the only bodies of the Trade Federation Government with a Quorum requirement. For either the Inner Circle or 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 voting 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 hours72 hours7 days14 days30 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. 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 voting Cabinet members to give full force and effect to the requested time frame.
   
3. 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 decision
4. At the time of the call for a vote, the Viceroy can require a majority requirement for the vote, or a voting Cabinet member can request a majority requirement, but this requires a 3/4 majority agreement from the voting Cabinet members to give full force and effect to the requested majority requirement.
5. 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.