Nicholas II wrote:
I admit I was not initially on board with this idea, but I've certainly come around - in the end I think our generally liberal server ethic tends to favour a system where expansion is not restricted by default, yet where (here following our long traditions of a powerful rule of law) a clearly-defined and communally-legitimised legal mechanism exists to scrutinise and potentially limit expansion where and when deemed appropriate.
Claiming land certainly isn't unrestricted. There exists a strong tradition of not letting people expand without justification, however it wasn't necessarily written down.
Nicholas II wrote:
To be honest, I'm not fully sure we need this definition in here; the Act deals with claims specifically, and, while most claims are county-sized, not all are.
My idea for stating this was a bit more clear late last night in my mind when I wrote it. I think I'd like to rewrite what this refers to - perhaps as part of the section mentioning Land Claim sizes.
Nicholas II wrote:
I might perhaps suggest something along the lines of:
The highest legal authority of a realm recognised under the Council of the Crowned may at any time submit a claim for the addition of lands, currently recognised as belonging to no entity under the Council of the Crowned, to their realm. This may be formally requested in the form of a letter (post) to the Imperial Court.
That's fine, it really says the same thing but takes twice as long to say it. However, considering how these things go, it is likely better to specify that land claims can only be made BY the leader of an independent realm.
Nicholas II wrote:
The following items must be presented with a claim for lands to the Imperial Court so as to justify the claim:
* A map of both the immediate claimed area and in context with current regional and/or imperial maps
* Evidence that lands currently claimed are being used to an extent to justify the claim
* Statement of intent and purpose for the lands claimed
Sounds good.
Nicholas II wrote:
Approval of a Land Claim
Once a Claim has been made in the Imperial Court, the claim is open to comments from all members of the Mercurian Empire. Individuals may make comments and ask questions concerning the claim during the week following the claim being filed.
During this week-long period, any active sitting member of the Council of the Crowned reserves the right to subject the claim to a vote by the Council for any reason. If a majority (50% + 1) of active sitting members of the Council record a vote against the claim, the claim has failed and may not be acted upon by the claimant. If a vote does not receive this majority, the claim passes the vote.
[ Just a slight proposed clarification to make the language a bit clearer. Just a thought. ]
That's a bit more inline with the language of other Acts/the Carts. Good stuff.
Nicholas II wrote:
Land Claim Size
There is no legal restriction to lands that may be claimed. However, reviewers are instructed to consider items such as rank, current development of lands including population, number of settlements and infrastructure, number and contributions of vassals residing under the claimant, proximity to other claims, and justifications provided for the claim.
[ Just a thought on perhaps a slightly clearer list. ]
What would your thoughts be on removing the section mentioned above on county definition and integrating it this section, while also mentioning something about claims can range from 1-3 counties on average?
Nicholas II wrote:
Claims War
A noble of the Mercurian Empire may declare war on the realm making a Land Claim during or after the initial claim process. Terms should be agreed upon before the war officially begins. If there is no agreement even after the war is over, a judicial hearing shall decide the fate of the land claim.
Just personally, I find it a bit odd that we're explicitly allowing war. Don't get me wrong, I do believe claims wars should be possible, and I definitely think they should be organic in origin - which is why I'm not sure if we want to lay out terms for how a claims war should happen. Hmm. Thoughts?
Well, we do need something clear here. Our current laws don't give anyone the power to settle something like this unless they either agree on the terms before the war starts, or the Council votes unanimously one way or the other ( as they can do anything by unanimous vote). What happens if they disagree, even if one wins handily over the other?