Code légal {Legal Code} Depenwood

'Centuries of negotiation, decades of careful deliberation, discussion and voting have led to this ever growing document, Depenwood's legal code.'

Purpose

This document is the legal code of the nation of Depenwood, both civil and criminal, a long, well written document kept in documents available at every courthouse and chapel in the nation. But it isn't easy to understand for many, so legal advocates are necessary. Written with much grandiose language, very descriptive, flowerly flowing language, in that typical elven style.

Document Structure

Clauses

Criminal, Civil, Economic, Immigration Laws, Judicial Processes, Property Laws, Punishment Guidelines

Publication Status

Readily available, though

Legal status

It is the legal code

Historical Details

Background

This code is constantly scrutinized, and is ever growing and changing slowly, as with the nation, it is seen as a living, growing entity.

History

This document was historic for a few reasons, but the biggest one was simply that it was the first time the elven tribes had come together for such a collaborative effort, on this grand a scale. It marked the beginning of this nation, in truth. Of Depenwood being a single power, a collaborative, a nation of equals working together for the betterment of all.

Public Reaction

Whilst you can never please everyone, the people were pleased to have this togetherness, this joining of minds and peoples. It made them feel more connected, safer, and ready for this era of bold growth and revitalization.

Read the Document

Code légal {Legal Code} Depenwood

Lots of legal material, pretty standard stuff one would expect. Here I'll only cover the things I feel may actually come up and be relevant that are...a bit different, or are important to know. Section by section, this will briefly provide an overview of each section, and also a note of any odd laws or codes that...seem to stand out for their oddity.

Capital Offenses
These offenses can invoke a punishment of death, life imprisonment, or exile from the nation on pain of death as maximum sentences. They include the obvious, like all nations, any sort of Abyssal worship or magic practices are in this section. Rape, Murder, and Treason

Civil Code
Depenwood forces a mediation, a third party negotiation, between parties in civil conflict. No courtrooms, no lawsuits, that system does not exist here.


Criminal Code
This section is naturally one of the longest, breaking down the laws of Depenwood that warrant criminal punishment. Much of this is as one would expect, but there are a few distinct and important things to note;

Anyone, even those charged with a capital offense, can request a trial by debate. What this is, is it skips the formality of law and courts and juries. Instead a panel of five neutral judges are gathered, and the accused faces their accuser in a open structured debate, which the judges will rule on based on the content and arguments about the actions in question being presented. Generally this is only exercised by those desperate because they know the evidence is overwhelming. If you do this, it goes on your record and you can never make this request again. You only get one.

-In most towns and cities, there are laws regarding weapons. Whether its the local garrison and a simple double storing number and ticket system or something much more complex, all towns and cities do not allow their citizens to walk around heavily armed. Any weapon 1 meter (3 feet) or longer in length must be turned in. Any shield larger than a buckler must also be turned in. This is to prevent accidental injuries, and to avoid any other complications.
-In regards to self defense, it applies not just to your person, but to your possessions and indeed, to the concept of 'Good Samaritan' acts.
-All are entitled to a proper trial, and indeed proper legal representation. If you cannot afford one, the state must provide one for you.
-You are to be assumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a shadow of reasonable doubt. This is the judge's responsibility and S/he must also remind the jury regularly of this responsibility.

Economic Code
This section details everything from how the market flows, what the rules are on shipping standards, logging standards, etc etc. But the big part is also the tax code. All citizens must pay a 15% income tax on all they make.

Immigration Laws
This section details the laws of immigration in Depenwood. All nations on Valerick have an open border policy to a degree, but each do have a couple of requirements. Mostly in line of, 'Must have applicable and employable skills to offer.'

Property Laws
This section covers things like inheritance, and property tax, and all the little details and finer legal parts of property ownership and purchase or selling of property.

Close

Type

Manuscript, Legal

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

875

Ratification Date

900

Signatories (Organizations)

• Depenwood