“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.”
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:
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:
D. Removal
The Viceroy can be removed from office for the following reasons:
The Viceroy may retire from his duties, and retain the title of Viceroy for life.
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 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 for the following reasons:
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 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:
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
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:
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:
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
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%u2019s 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:
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 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:
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 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:
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.
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
fter 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.
A. Authorized Codes of the Trade Federation
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 re- posting in the Laws section of the Trade Federation website.
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:
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.
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
C. Exceptions
A majority requirement will not be allowed to disagree with any majority requirement set forth herein by this 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
