adrian-empire chancellor s handbook Manuale Utente

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Chancellor's Manual 

 

as adopted November 2000, amended May 2002 

Here is another operational tidbit. The Statute of Limitations is 30 days from the alleged offense. This is usually 
construed to mean 30 days after the complainant discovers the offense or should reasonably have discovered the 
offense. This interpretation is to protect us from the person who secretly uses his position to steal thousands without our 
knowledge (hypothetically, of course), or some other crime which might not be revealed until later. 

Folks often file charges within the statutory time to protect their rights, but delay prosecution for purposes of attempting 
to reach an amicable resolution. Nothing wrong with that, unless the defendant demands immediate justice. 

In the last reign [of Dame Isabeau and Sir Mathghamhain], Sir Jehan ruled that the right to immediate justice was 
absolute, even if the defendant was not under judicial ban. You may or may not agree. 

Judicial ban should almost never be used prior to trial. It is only for defendants who allegedly would use their position to 
destroy evidence or otherwise create irreversible abuses which must be prevented pending trial. 

Just sharing some tidbits as I think of them. I am sure a lot of this is familiar as you are already a Chancellor.  

It is appropriate that the outgoing Chancellor to transmit all relevant materials to the incoming counterpart. To that end, 
I hope you will soon receive the most up-to-date stuff, including Bylaws, manuals, cases, and Estates Minutes. If you do 
not already have a current set of Bylaws, once you have obtained them, I would suggest that you review the 
requirements of the Chancellor. There is a section devoted solely to that office. Also, Article VI sets forth the minimum 
number of meetings per year of the Imperial Estates General, and the notice requirements. The Imperial Chancellor is 
also involved in pre-Imperial War/Civil War procedure. Finally, of course, the Chancellor is involved in our justice 
system which is described in the Bylaws, Codex, and in case law. You've a lot of reading. 

You will find that the archives include legal precedents and case law. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with 
published cases, and to make sure that those cases are well-distributed to Chancellors throughout the Empire. During 
your term, I am sure you will be adding published cases to the archives. The Sovereign of Arms will help you with that. 

You will also be updating the Bylaws (and other manuals under your jurisdiction) as they change. 

The Imperium needs to appear responsive. On the other hand, the Imperium should not appear impulsive or biased. 
While you review the charges for legal validity, perhaps the mediation process could begin forthwith. Usually, it starts 
with each side choosing a representative and proposing three candidates for mediator in order of preference. If a 
candidate is proposed by both sides, then mediation can commence with that mediator. Otherwise, the Chancellor needs 
to pick one (in consultation with both sides). Picking a mediator is usually a rapid process. Mediation can usually 
proceed unsupervised. 

Mediation has some advantages. Often, issues which are not delineated in the charges are resolved. Also, during the 
mediation process, the Chancery has time to review the charges and prepare for trial if necessary. Thus, the Imperium 
can act quickly without seeming impulsive. No precipitous action is taken.