North Pacific Legal Code for Dummies!

[mr_sniffles]

In such cases of scenario when you don’t understand a single thing, people who have experienced such confusion and/or are in the position to give advice need to give it. This comes in from time to time but to keep a long story short, this guide will be toning down the annoyance of questions piling into the administration’s inbox.

For instance, you won’t have to read anything like “In such cases of scenarios where this shall happen, the administration and the moderation with the consent of the justices and the legislature and the Security Council with the vote of the Registered Voters shall we initiate-” and not know what it means. So, shut up, sit down, and read along as we uncover the mysteries that hath puzzled thy last years of confusion.

TNP Law 1
Oath of Office

Section 1: Scope of Effect

1 - All government officials, including Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Prime Minister, UN Regional Delegate, Attorney General, and other offices created through Ministerial Directive, Legislation through The North Pacific Legal Code, or Amendment to The Constitution of The North Pacific, be they elected or appointed to office, to ensure and protect the ideals of Democracy, Freedom, and Regional Security, shall henceforth be required to take the Oath of Office listed in Section 2 of this Act before assuming their elected or appointed role within The Government of The North Pacific.

Basically, the oath office is being sworn into a government office. If you are not sworn in, you are not a valid government officer. Thus, you will be removed from office

2 - All Government Officials, as listed in Clause 1 of this Section, shall be required to take the Oath of Office listed in Section 2 of this bill within one week of assuming office. Any Government Officials already in office at the time of this bill's passage shall be required to take the Oath of Office listed in Section 2 of this bill within one week of this bill's passage, or face removal from office, in accordance with Section 3, Clause 2 of this Act.

Congratulations to Clause 2 of Section 1 of TNP Law 1 for being the official understatement of Clause 1!

Section 2: Oath of Office

The following Oath of Office shall be required for all Government Officials, as according to Section 1 of this Act:

I, (insert forum username), do hereby solemnly swear that during my duly elected/appointed term as (insert government position), I will uphold the ideals of Democracy, Freedom, and Justice of The Region of The North Pacific. I will use the powers and rights granted to me through The North Pacific Constitution and Legal Code in a legal, responsible, and unbiased manner, not abusing my power, committing misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, in any gross or excessive manner. I will act only in the best interests of The North Pacific, not influenced by personal gain or any outside force, and within the restraints of my legally granted power. As such, I hereby take up the office of (insert government position), with all the powers, rights, and responsibilities held therein.

Most use the copy and paste method without knowing what they are saying, including myself.

Section 3: Penalties for Violation

1 - This Oath shall be binding on all government officials as previously covered, and violations of said Oath may be ground for indictment of impeachment charges in a legal Court of The North Pacific, pursuant to the guidelines and procedures laid out in Article IV of The North Pacific Constitution, The North Pacific Legal Code, and the guidelines of The Ministry of Justice.

And here comes Hersfold with the impeachment, followed by Flemingovia tailed by Grosseschnauzzer! Like I said, thou art impeached if thou art to violate thy oath of thy office!

2 - Any Government Official required to take the Oath of Office as listed in Section 1, Clause 1 of this bill that fails to do so within the allotted time set forth in Section 1, Clause 2 of this Act shall be subject to removal from office following a trial as set forth in Article IV of The North Pacific Constitution, The North Pacific Legal Code, and the guidelines of The Ministry of Justice.

editorial note: Oath of Office referred to in Article V, Section 5, Clause D of TNP Constitution, July 2005 Revision.

CONCLUSION: The real ones you need to know are Sec. 3 Cls. 1, Section 1 Clause 1, and Section 2.

TNP LAW 2
Official Flag

SECTION ONE. The following flag, as designed by ThelDRan, is adopted as the official flag of The North Pacific:



SECTION TWO.
This Act shall be effective upon its adoption.

Know the flag and get used to its symbol being at the top of the forumsite. You will be seeing it a lot.

TNP LAW 3
Election Dates

SECTION ONE.
The designated months for elections pursuant to Article II, section one of the Constitution as revised shall be August, November, February and May.
SECTION TWO.
This Act shall take immediate effect.

Editorial note: Section One of TNP Law 3 incorporated into Article III, Section 1, Clause 2) first sentence, of TNP Constitution, July 2005 Revision.

Know the election dates and competitive candidates. Plan your destiny. Do you
want people to think of you as external affairs or an administrative monkeyboy?

TNP LAW 4
Criminal Trial Procedures

editorial Note from Constitutional Convention proposal adopted by referendum on 30 June - 6 July 2005: Provision to be transferred into the North Pacific Legal Code as TNP Law 4 on Criminal Trial Procedures.

Section 1: Trial Rules and Procedures
Until and unless the provisions of this Section 1 are modified by laws enacted as part of The North Pacific Legal Code, and subject to any additional procedures added by The North Pacific Legal Code:
1) Duties of Attorney General in Trial Proceedings - The Attorney General shall be the Chief Prosecutor in The North Pacific and shall be the default prosecutor for all cases brought to trial in The North Pacific unless the Attorney General is charged, In that event the prosecutor shall be selected by the Chief Justice in a manner that is not arbitrary or capricious. The Attorney General may also choose to delegate the Prosecutor's role to a registered voter who shall not be a member of the current Cabinet.

The clause title speaks for itself. If you do not understand the title, then I will explain. The duties of the Attorney General during a trial are that he/she will be the leading prosecutor, or guy who tries to prove the defendant wrong. If the Attorney General is charged with a crime, the Chief Justice will choose the prosecutor.

2) Trial Preparations - Unless extended by a motion of either side showing reasonable grounds granted by the presiding officer for the trial, the defendant, prosecutor and their legally recognized representatives have 24 hours to prepare their cases before a trial begins. If the defendant refuses to participate or requests counsel, a public defender shall be provided. Once a criminal charge is brought forth, neither the accuser, the defendant, or any party legally recognized as representing them, may reveal or discuss any details of the charge except in areas where specifically asked to do so by the presiding officer of the trial or a legal appointee of the Court. If discussion about the charge, or subjects related to the charge, is already ongoing at the time that the charge is made, the accuser, the defendant, and any party legally recognized as representing either of them, are forbidden to continue participating in the discussions. That ban shall continue until the case is resolved and closed by the proper legal official, as mandated by this Constitution, The North Pacific Legal Code, or other laws of the Region.

The step-by-step sequence of hurrying and rushing throughout the post-trial is enacted by stating that you have 24 hours to get an attorney and sit down at the court. Also stating that the details of the accusation may not be discussed unless asked.

3) Jury Selection - Five jurors will be randomly selected by the presiding officer from a pool of registered voters. Registered voters who have an expressed bias or whom who have served on a jury in the past three months will be automatically excluded. If either counsel believes one of the selected jurors is unfit to serve for reasons of bias or a conflict of interest, the presiding officer will review the charge and if he/she finds it valid, the next available juror will be chosen from the random drawing list. If selected, a juror may decline to serve before the trial begins. Once the trial is started, the juror is required to complete their obligation.

A couple of random people are picked to be the local jury in the case. The Justices keep searching until they find a nation who has no plans that day. (Psst, saying you have to walk your dog works great! Also that you are prejudiced in every way possible or that you had sexual relations with the defendant and s/he was just
THAT great.)

4) Trial Procedure - The presiding officer shall list the charges against the defendant and give instructions to the jury regarding deliberations and recommended sentences if the defendant is found guilty. The prosecutor will then present evidence and witnesses relating to the charges. Afterwards, the Nation on trial (or their counsel) will present evidence and witnesses in their defense.

Basically, your representatives do all the work while you sit there looking shocked and outraged. You can be shocked and outraged by the heinous and damning evidence presented by the prosecuter, the shocking sentences of the crime, or the injustice and slander against the person the defending justice has painted as better than Ghandi and Mother Teresa combined.

5) Jury Deliberations - After both sides have presented their cases, the jury will deliberate on the verdict and, if the Nation is found guilty, determine the sentence. A majority of the jurors is required to reach a verdict and pass a sentence.

The “no duh!” statement that the jury will decide who wins and who loses the case at hand.

6) Conclusion - Once the jury has reached a verdict, it will be delivered to the presiding officer to be announced. The trial will be concluded once the presising officer confirms and enforces the verdict.

My conclusion: The stuff you need to know are all the clauses except the conclusion if you don’t want the understatement.

TNP LAW 5
Election Procedures

Editorial Note: TNP Law 5 was enacted as part of the North Pacific Legal Code as part of a constitutional amendment on the revision and consolidation of election procedures adopted by referendum of the regional assembly on 27 September - 4 October 2005.It was amended by a constitutional amendment (affecting sections 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of this Law) which was adopted by the regional assembly to create an office of UN vice delegate on 9 October - 15 October 2005.

Section 1: Election Commissioners
The Election process shall be organized and overseen for each election cycle by one or more Election Commissioners who shall be determined as follows:
A - Unless the outgoing incumbent serving as Prime Minister plans to be a candidate for election to any office in the Cabinet, including the UN Delegate, or for Speaker of the Regional Assembly in that election cycle, the outgoing Prime Minister shall serve as an Election Commissioner.

The secondary office of the Prime Minister consists of being an election commissioner. The office is basically a “two-fer”. NOTE: You will be an election commissioner either way since you can only run two consecutive terms.

B - Unless the outgoing incumbent serving as Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs plans to be a candidate for election to any office in the Cabinet, including the UN Delegate, or for Speaker of the Regional Assembly in that election cycle, the outgoing Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs shall serve as an Election Commissioner.

A secondary office for the Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs too. The same thing with Prime Minister.

C - In the event either or both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs intend to be candidates for election, then the Prime Minister and the Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs shall designate, with the consent of a majority of the remaining Cabinet Ministers, not less than one nor more than two persons to serve as Election Commissioners for that election cycle. Each designee shall declare their intention not to be a candidate for election during that election cycle to any office and shall have previously served in office as an elected UN Delegate, as Prime Minister, as an elected Cabinet Minister, as Speaker of the Regional Assembly, or as a Justice of The Court of The North Pacific.

For example: The November Prime Minister, Poltsamaa, ran again in February so was not able be an election commissioner. The November Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs, Deikura, ran for Minister of Arts & Entertainment in February so was not able to be an election commissioner. They apparently chose Erastide (Former English Colony), the November UN Delegate, to be the election commissioner.

D- The designation of Election Commissioners shall be completed not less than 15 days prior to the beginning of the voting period for elections as designated in Section 2.

Don’t wait too late to say. You could be stuck with counting votes over and over again.

E - The Election Commissioners may request the ability to view IP addresses of Nations, or request the assistance of the off-site forum administrators, during this period to verify votes.

This is for seeing if anybody is going to be voting twice.

CONCLUSION: You basically need to know everything in this Section. Otherwise, you could be running for Prime Minister and not even know what you’re in for!

Section 2. Declarations and Nominations of Candidacy
A - Any member Nation of the Region that is a registered voter and that is not ineligible to serve by any limitation of service provision or additional qualification for office in the Constitution, may declare its candidacy for Prime Minister or any elected Cabinet Minister.

Run if you can, but more importantly live long and prosper. Listen to this if you want to live through the political world. And if you do not understand, any Cabinet Office (Ministers) and the Prime Minister is open if you are eligible. Trust me, they'll answer almost anything!

B- Any member Nation of the Region that is a registered voter who has elected membership in the Regional Assembly and that is not ineligible to serve by any limitation of service provision or additional qualification for office in the Constitution, may declare its candidacy for Speaker of the Regional Assembly or for a seat on the Security Council.

It really speaks for itself, but in case you don’t know, you can run for Regional Assembly Speaker if you are a member of the Regional Assembly. This also qualifies for Security Council.

C - Any member Nation with UN member status located within the Region that has registered to vote and that is not ineligible to serve by any limitation of service provision or additional qualification for office in the Constitution, may declare its candidacy for UN Delegate or UN Vice Delegate. Such Nation that has UN membership shall have resided in The North Pacific for at least three months, and shall have been active on the Regional off-site forum for at least one month at the time of nomination or declaration of candidacy for election to the office of Delegate or Vice Delegate.

The requirements to be a UN (or Vice) Delegate: Be 3-month resident and/or at least 1-month forum user.

D- Such declarations may be made during a seven day period starting 10 days prior to the designated voting period for the election cycle for the next term of office. Alternatively, any three Nations that are registered voters may nominate a Nation as a candidate for UN Delegate, UN Vice Delegate, Prime Minister, a specific elected Cabinet Minister, Speaker of the Regional Assembly or for a seat on the Security Council during a seven day period starting 10 days prior to the designated voting period for the election cycle for the next term of office. The Election Commissioners or their designees shall verify the eligibility of each Nation that declares or is nominated as a candidate, and shall publish the certified list of candidates for each office or position one day prior to the beginning of the voting period.

Basically, make sure you state your campaign ahead of time.

CONCLUSION: Run only if you’re eligible, plan ahead, and be a clean candidate.

Section 3. Voting Procedures
A - No later than the day immediately preceding the beginning of a voting period in an election cycle, the Election Commissioners or their designee shall post a topic on the Regional off-site forum for voting in the election describing the procedure for casting votes. The Election Commissioners shall determine whether a separate thread will be used for UN Delegate and UN Vice Delegate election voting from all other voting in the election. Nations may also vote by private message to a designated user account at the off-site regional forum, and the Election Commissioners shall post each such vote received in the official tally of the election returns.

The Election Commissioners will, no later than the day before the election, shall decide whether the UN and Vice Delegate elections shall be offsite or if they shall be separate from the Cabinet, Security Council, and RA Speaker elections.

B - One week following the opening of the voting period, the Election Commissioners shall close the voting thread and tally the votes. Once the results are ascertained, the Election Commissioners shall post a certificate of results at the off-site regional forum and shall declare which candidates have been elected. It will include a statement concerning the voting period for any required runoff election where the results so require.

Election Week lasts (guess how long; come on guess) a week (we have a winner!!!). Results will be posted.

CONCLUSION: The Election Commissioners shall post a voting topic and a week later close it and post the results.

Section 4. Runoff Elections
A - When an Office has no candidate obtaining a majority, the two highest-placed candidates shall enter into a runoff.

Example: If there are 3 candidates and the score is this: 35%, 30%, 25% it is not a majority. All of the percentiles are less than any number more than 50%, which is half for you having trouble in mathematics.

B - If the second-highest candidate position is tied, the candidates so tied shall enter into a runoff with the highest-placed candidate.

This is the party pooper for the winner. The candidate came so far and has to go through it all again.

C - If there is a tie for the highest-placed candidate position, only those candidates so tied shall enter into a runoff election.

The sensible technique for tiebreakers. If there is a tie in lead position, a tiebreaker will take place with only those candidates.

D - The runoff election shall utilize the same procedures as for the initial round of elections. A plurality shall determine the winner of the runoff election.

CONCLUSION: Runoff elections happen when second place people tie, a candidate has not the majority vote, or the lead positions tie. Then, a tiebreaker, or runoff election, takes place.

Section 5. Campaigning
A - The Election Commissioners or their designee shall post a message on the Regional off-site forum formally declaring the start of the declaration and nomination period for the election cycle which will commence the campaign period. The Election Commissioners or their designee shall also post one message per day on the NationStates Regional Civil Headquarters Message Board announcing the campaign period and elections.

Working for the rights of elections, Voteman comes in and reminds people to run… and then vote!

B - All candidates shall be permitted to post a campaign topic thread on the Regional offsite forum.

How else will they campaign? Personal messages? Takes too long…

C - Candidates for UN Delegate and Vice Delegate shall be permitted to post campaign notices on the Regional Civil Headquarters Message Board located on the region's page at NationStates.net. Candidates for UN Delegate and Vice Delegate shall not post more than one such message on the Regional Civil Headquarters Message Board per day. Posting more than one such notice within 24 hours will constitute a forfeiture of their candidacy for election as UN Delegate or Vice Delegate for the Region, and may be subject to NationStates Moderator intervention. Candidates for UN Delegate and UN Vice Delegate may contact UN member Nations within the Region via telegram to advertise their campaign, but no candidate may send more than one telegram to any single Nation during the campaign period, unless said nation has replied to a telegram sent by the candidate.

Twice the nervousness for the Delegated campaigners.

CONCLUSION: Follow the rules of conduct: be nice, no rough stuff. And post campaign centers in the right place of the forum.

Section 6. Additional Procedures for Election for UN Delegate and Vice Delegate for the Region.
A - The Nation elected as Delegate and the Nation elected as Vice Delegate under the procedures in the Constitution and the North Pacific Legal Code is are the formal designees of the region who is are to be designated as the UN Delegate and UN Vice Delegate for the Region by the voluntary endorsement of UN member Nations within the Region for the three month term upon declaration of the election in the canvass of results by the Election Commissioners.

A good reason why UN Nations should join the forumsite, isn’t it? Just stating that the UN and Vice Delegates shall be elected and then endorsed.

B - The Election Commissioners shall include in the certificate of results a statement as to which candidate has been designated as the Delegate and the Vice Delegate in the election. The Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs will promptly notify all UN member Nations residing in the Region of the determination of the election results. The notification will include a request to all UN member Nations to unendorse the incumbent Delegate and Vice Delegate, if necessary, and a request that they endorse the newly designated Delegate and Vice Delegate. However, no Nation may be compelled to endorse or unendorse any Nation with respect to the Regional Delegacy or the Vice Delegate. The Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs may request the aid of any Nation he deems necessary to complete this procedure as expeditiously as possible. It is specifically intended that the newly elected Delegate and Vice Delegate are to be installed in office in accordance with NationStates procedures for the determination of a Delegate of a region within 2 weeks of the certification of the election.

It's smart to un-endorse the current delegate so the past delegate can be removed from the Delegated position faster.

Section 7. Violations
A - Any person found to have cast more than one vote, through one or more Nations, shall have their votes invalidated, and if the votes were cast using more than one UN member Nation, the Election Commissioners shall report such fact to the NationStates Moderators as evidence of UN Multiing.

Don’t double vote because it can get you banned. What is double voting? Voting with two or more nations. If this shall concern the United Nations, say goodbye to UN Membership!

B - Outright endorsement swapping with respect to the election of the UN Delegate and Vice Delegate is prohibited.

Say “NO” to invading the North Pacific! Drugs or pre-marital sex? It's up to you!

C - Slander of any candidates for office, including the incumbents of such offices, or of other Nations is prohibited.

Don’t ruin another candidate’s reputation. Or at least, don’t try.

D - Violation of the provisions in this Constitution or The North Pacific Legal Code on the part of any candidate for election will result in a immediate review by the Attorney General to determine if charges should be filed under Article V of this Constitution, and may include the possibility that a regional ban may be imposed in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution or The North Pacific Legal Code.

Breaking a clause or section in this law shall result in review by the Minister of Justice (or Attorney General) and can result in a possible ban from the region.

TNP LAW 6
Ministry of Culture and Education

Section 1. The North Pacific Wire.
The North Pacific Wire shall be the official News Publication of the region. The North Pacific Wire shall be administered by the Ministry of Culture and Education.

A reason why the Minister of Culture and Education is probably needed. The North Pacific Wire shall be the FOX News Network for the region.

TNP LAW 7
Ministry of Defense

Section 1. Organization of North Pacific Army

A - The Minister of Defense (MOD) may organize The North Pacific Army (NPA) in any type of military system he/she would like with the support of the majority of the NPA.

The Minister of Defense may change the standards of the North Pacific Army.

B - The Minister may choose a Position to oversee the everyday deployment of the Army or may keep this position for him/her self. Any person selected to hold said position would have no authority to propose or accept any Treaties between governments or organizations.The duties of the position will be specified by the MoD.

The Minister of Defense may choose someone to look over the everyday deployment of troops or may choose this position to be the Minister of Defense.

CONCLUSION: The Minister of Defense may change the ways of the NPA. Also, the Minister of Defense may look over the everyday deployment of troops or choose someone else to do this.

Section 2.The Auxiliary Branch of The North Pacific Army.
A - There shall be an Auxiliary branch of the North Pacific Army (NPA).

Just saying that there will be and is an Auxiliary Branch.

B- This branch will be under the control of the Minister of Defense (or chosen subordinate) and will not have a separate leader. The specific name of the auxiliary branch is decided by the Minister of Defense with majority support from the NPA members.

The branch will be the “cabinet” of the Minister of Defense under the consent of the NPA as well as the appointment of the MoD himself.

C - Members of the auxiliary branch will not possess the right of NPA members to be exempt from disclosing to the Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs the identity of the player’s UN nation with respect to their voter registration

The Auxiliary Branch may not violate any privacy rights of anybody.

D - Members of the auxiliary branch are not required to post a pledge stating their acceptance of the NPA Code, but must be registered voters.

Auxiliary Members, as far as I know, do not have to be sworn in.

Section 3. NPA and Auxiliary Member Status
A - The MOD is responsible for updating and organizing the List of NPA members/Auxiliary no less frequently than once a Month. He/she must check the status of all such members and is responsible for demoting members to the Auxiliary branch or promoting a member’s status as a full NPA member.

The Minister holds the duty of updating and organizing the NPA member/Auxiliary list no less frequently than once a month. The Minister may demote or promote.

B - Prior to any election or referenda, or at the request of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Immigration (MOIA&I) or the Court of the North Pacific, the MOD must confirm the UN nation of any NPA member to the MOIA&I or to the Court. Until said confirmation, the vote of a NPA member may not be counted and the NPA member may not be selected for jury service.

Update on UN membership sent on the application to join the NPA shall be sent to the Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs.

C - Members seeking to join the North Pacific Army (NPA) are required to be registered voters prior to making application to the NPA. Acceptance shall be decided by the Minister of Defense and not by the deputy or other designee of the Minister of Defense.

To be an NPA member, one must first be a member of Regional Assembly.

D - All accepted members of the North Pacific Army shall be required to post their pledge in acceptance of the NPA Code. Until said pledge is posted an accepted member cannot be considered a full NPA Member. If the required pledge has not been posted with in a week, the accepted member will automatically be placed in the Auxiliary branch of the North Pacific Army.

You must say the pledge of allegiance of the North Pacific Army.

CONCLUSION: Membership of the North Pacific can be simple if you put it into smaller pieces.

Section 4. The NPA Code
A - There is adopted an NPA Code which shall read as follows:
The North Pacific Army is established as a mobile army of UN nations pledged to the greater good of The North Pacific.

First and foremost, its duty will be to defend The North Pacific from any hostile or aggressive attack from any party.

In times when the first duty is not called upon, the North Pacific Army, in recognition of the dangers and damage invaders cause to the welfare of innocent peoples and regions, is granted the mandate to counter the forces of such invaders/griefers/crashers.

In this manner, the NPA is, at its core, a defender organization. In the best interests of the general populace, it shall enter and defend regions against aggressive attacks. It does not seek to be imperialistic or controlling. Instead, it aims to maintain or return control of the region to the region. It will not attempt to interfere in regional affairs besides trying to repulse or expel invader forces.

As a member of the NPA, I hereby swear to the following...
• I swear to serve The North Pacific in all situations, whether it be peace or war.
• I understand that "The North Pacific" refers to the greater good of the region and its residents and not necessarily to the sitting government of The North Pacific.
• I swear that at no time shall I hold any allegiances that conflict with the best interests of The North Pacific. If a conflict of interest should occur at any time, I swear to uphold the best interests of The North Pacific, or if that is impossible, I swear to remove myself from this position voluntarily. Conflicts of interest are defined as: any Military position, government position or involvement with Regions/Orgs. which The North Pacific Government or The North Pacific Army is taking defensive or offensive action against.
• Should the democratically-selected government ever be forced into exile; I swear to uphold the my oath and endeavor to help restore the democratically elected government, which I recognize as the legitimate governing body of the North Pacific.
• I swear that I shall defend The North Pacific against any and all hostile or aggressive attacks.
• I swear that I shall not engage in invader activity while being a member of the NPA.
• I swear that I shall not commit acts of espionage or treason against the NPA or The North Pacific.
• I swear that I shall not fraternize with enemies of The North Pacific except on an Out-of-Character basis or unless specifically allowed.
• I swear to maintain proper decorum and conduct becoming of NPA members during and outside of missions.
• I swear I will abide by the guidelines set forth by the NPA Handbook.
• I swear I shall not lie or otherwise deceive my superior officers regarding my activities on and involving NationStates.
• I understand that in adherence to these rules will result in commensurate punishment, to be assigned by the Minister of Defense or an officer appointed by him/her.
• Should I ever find myself incapable of upholding these standards, I have the right to rescind my membership in the NPA.

The NPA Allegiance of Truth, as I like to call it, is mandatory.

B- A posted acceptance of the NPA Code should contain the following statement:
I, Member name, hereby pledge that I understand the above and will honorably perform the duties required of me and uphold the laws established above for the NPA.

Example: I, Mynation, hereby pledge that I understand the above and will honorably perform the duties required of me and uphold the laws established above for the NPA.

CONLUSION: The North Pacific Army requires not much of you but in certain times it will require you. You must also accept their terms and pledge.

TNP LAW 8
Ministry of Immigration and Internal Affairs

Section 1. Registered Voter Status
A - The Ministry of Immigration and Internal Affairs (MIIA), shall hereby be responsible for updating the status of the Registered Voters no less frequently than once a month on the same date of each month. The Ministry shall also be responsible for updating the status of registered voters not less than 14 days before the voting period for any elections begin. The MIIA may choose whatever date they wish to update the status of members during each month, but must continue to do it on the same date of each month during the term.

The Ministry of Immigration and Internal Affairs needs to give out the update on data on current Registered Voters. The Ministry must give this update on that exact date so it is exactly a monthly sequence.

B - The Ministry of Immigration and Internal Affairs must post in one thread a schedule in regards to pending applications of nations who are registering to vote and have filed voter registration applications. The schedule must include the date and at which time the application will be accepted, denied, or is otherwise acted upon.

The Ministry must update a pending registration on voting every now and then (hopefully in a quick period of time).

C - The Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs has the discretion to confidentially inquire of other government offices involved with the diplomatic, military, or intelligence functions of the government as to any information concerning the applicant for registered voter status that such officers may possess or which may be brought to the attention of the Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs by other parties which may involve the applicant's compliance with the requirement of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution, or compliance with the elements of the oath as a registered voter contained in Article II, section 2 of the Constitution. Based upon such information, the Minister may post public inquiries of the applicant for registered voter status concerning the provided information, and to require the applicant to post appropriate explanations in response to the Minister's inquiries. Every application for registered voter status shall be considered pending for no less than 7 days from when the Ministry of Immigration and Internal Affairs acknowledges his application.

Officers assigned in the offices including diplomacy, intelligence, and military must report to the Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs what update there is on UN Status and on quitters.

CONCLUSION: The Ministry deals with Immigration more than Internal Affairs if you count out the update on status.

Section 2. Recruiting
The region shall have a recruitment team lead by the MIIA or a chosen subordinate. The purpose of this team is to recruit new members of the forum. These members may only operate within the region and may not advertise in any regional message board other than that of The North Pacific. The MIIA may choose a member to lead the Recruitment team and create the structure for Recruiting activities.

A team of recruiters chosen by the Minister of Immigration and Internal Affairs have no right to post outside the North Pacific for it is their duty to get people inside the region to be forum members.

Section 3. Use of Proxy Servers To Conceal Identity.
A - The use of a proxy server by a forum user to conceal a forum user's host server is declared to be a security risk to the region. The use of a proxy server by a Member Nation that is a member of The North Pacific Army or The North Pacific Intelligence Agency shall require the prior express authorization of such entity which may be disclosed confidentially to other government officials in the performance of their official duties.

Once again, using proxy servers to conceal your identity is unsafe and prohibited.

C - The use of a proxy server by an applicant for registered voter status is grounds for automatic denial of the registered voter application

Aliens coming in may not conceal with proxy servers or any other concealers. By the way; the three fingers, green skin, and large bulbous head completely gives you away.

TNP LAW 9
Ministry of External Affairs

Section 1. External Affairs Forum and Diplomatic Corps.
A - The Minister of External Affairs has full organizational control of the External Affairs Category and the Diplomatic Corps. The Minister (or chosen Deputy) is required to update the List of Diplomatic Corps. members, monthly.

A monthly update of North Pacific Diplomats is required by the Minister of External Affairs to post.

B - Diplomatic Corps. Members are required to be Regional Assembly.

CONCLUSION: There is a diplomatic corps and the Minister must post an update on them and they must be RVs (Registered Voters).

Section 2. Embassies, Consulates, and Interest Sections.
A - The Minister of External Affairs (MoEA) shall require every other region seeking an embassy in The North Pacific to compose a document stipulating the specifics of any diplomatic, political, and military relationships between the regions.

The Minister needs a document posted to him of a region’s application in diplomacy.

C - Should there be any embassies that The North Pacific has not yet accepted due to changes in this law, the embassy will remain, but any document specifying the relations between regions is not binding until amendments to the treaty or agreement have been approved by both regions in accordance with this Law. The status of all embassies must be updated monthly by the Ministry of External Affairs.

An update by the minister is required.

D - The MoEA or deputy may close the Embassy of any region if (1) the regional government of that region that requested the embassy no longer exists, (2) the region is deleted at NationStates, (3) the region violates the specified rules in the embassy document, (4) the Regional Assembly votes to close the embassy, or (5) no document specifying the relations between regions exists.

The Minister can close the embasy of any reason if it is requested to be closed by home region, the region is deleted, the region breaks the rules of the ED, the RA chooses to close the embassy, there is nothing to prove that such an agreement for an embassy exists, and finally if they are known supporters of clowns.

E - Consulates do not require any Alliance/Treaty/Agreement document, but must post within their consulate at the official Regional off-site forum this agreement:

I, member name , representing the region name, do hereby understand that this consulate in no way forces The North Pacific into any Military or Political Alliance or relationship. I understand that this consulate may be closed at anytime by the Minister of External Affairs for whatever reason. I hereby pledge to follow the rules and regulations of this forum.

The required document states that you pledge to not flame, spam, threat, or any other serious IF crime.

F - Any consulate may be upgraded to an embassy by requesting an embassy and fulfilling the requirements of Clauses A and B of this section concerning embassies.

A consulate has the right to upgrade if the regions have a good relationship.

G - Interest Sections do not require any Alliance/Treaty/Agreement documents, and may be established by a region having an embassy or a consulate to represent the interests of some other region that does not currently maintain diplomatic, political or military relationship with The North Pacific. Establishment of a Interest Section does not create a diplomatic, political or military relationship, but merely facilitates the ability of the region hosting the Interest Section in its Embassy or Consulate to represent the interest of some other region.

No alliance, treaty, and/or agreement is required for any interest section. Just an open embassy.

H - The Minister of External Affairs or the Prime Minister may withdraw the region from a treaty should the terms be breached. Editorial note: Clause H was amended by TNP Law 12.

The Minister or Prime Minister may withdraw from treaties unilaterally.

Section 3. Military Relations
A - Any Military Alliance/Treaty/Agreement documents that provide for a military relationship must first be approved by the Minister of Defense, who then informs the Prime Minister of his or her acceptance or rejection of the document. Such documents may provide for military alliances, military co-operation, and joint military operations.

Military diplomatic issues must be first given to and accepted by Minister of Defense and then the Prime Minister to the Speaker.

B - Should the treaty or agreement document be rejected, due to security reasons, the MoD must inform the Security Council of his or her action. The Security Council may review the matter.

The Security Council may review the Minister’s choice.

C - Should the document be accepted by the MoD, with or without a review by the Security Council, the Prime Minister shall submit the document to the Speaker for submission to the registered voters for ratification or rejection.

The Speaker is given the document for the Regional Assembly.

D - Documents concerning military relations must be posted in the embassy of the appropriate region or organization within the official Regional off site forum once it is ratified by the Regional Assembly.

Any diplomatic military issue must be posted by an ambassador in the right embassy.

E - When a treaty or other agreement does not authorize specific military deployments by its terms, the Security Council may approve deployments in appropriate circumstances not specified in such treaty or other agreement.

The Security Council may review to approve any issue with no relation to deployments as well as add deployments.

F - The Minister of External Affairs or the Prime Minister may submit a proposal to the Speaker to withdraw from a treaty or other agreement which in order to be effective, must be approved at a referendum of the registered voters of the region.

The Speaker, after hearing from the Minister or Prime Minister and a majority vote in the Regional Assembly, may cancel any deal.

CONCLUSION: The Minister, Security Council, Prime Minister, and Speaker all participate in foreign policies.

Section 4. Political Relations.
A - The Prime Minister, with the advice of the members of the Cabinet, may negotiate and conclude treaties and other agreements concerning political relationships with other regions.

The Cabinet may resolve in negotiation to political issues.

B - A treaty is required for the establishment of a commonwealth relationship, a protectorate relationship, in which another region will accede to becoming a commonwealth, protectorate, or colony of The North Pacific.

Becoming any part of the North Pacific requires a treaty.

C - No treaty or other agreement may provide for a political relationship in which The North Pacific would assume the status of a commonwealth, protectorate, or colony of some other region.

Treaties may not say that regions may be active in political relations of the North Pacific.

D - Other political agreements may be negotiated that provide for the creation of other forms of political relationships with other regions.

Others, however, are not prohibited.

E - A treaty that provides for establishment of a commonwealth relationship shall expressly provide for the rights of nations of the other region to acquire full and equal citizenship and registered voter status in The North Pacific under the provisions of this Constitution.

Equal citizenship among the “democratic empire” is not prohibited.

F - The Minister of External Affairs or the Prime Minister may submit a proposal to the Speaker to withdraw from a treaty or other agreement which in order to be effective, must be approved at a referendum of the registered voters of the region.

Same as Clause F of Sec. 3 of TNP Law 9.

CONCLUSION: Political relations are touchy in some areas put can be put to work.

Section 5. Multi-Regional Organizations.
A - The provisions of this law may be applied to Treaties or Agreements between The North Pacific with Multi-Regional Organizations.

Multi-Regional Organizations are treated somewhat like sharing an embassy.

 

[mr_sniffles]

TNP LAW 10
Amendments to Election Procedures

Editorial note: A constitutional amendment which creates the Office of Vice Delegate also included coordinating amendments to Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of TNP Law 5. The amendments made by these provisions are incorporated into and reflected in the current text of TNP Law 5, Election Procedures.

TNP LAW 11
Change the Official Regional Forum

Section 1. Change of Official Forum authorized.
Pursuant to Article II, Section 3, Clause 3 of the Constitution of The North Pacific, as revised from and after 7 July 2005, which provides in pertinent part that: "3) No government official shall have the authority to change the designated off-site forum for regional governance without approval of a majority of the members of the Regional Assembly," the government of The North Pacific is authorized to establish a new forum at http://s13.invisionfree.invalid/TNP/index.php?act=idx to exercise the functions of all designated forums and subforums related to the government currently based at http://s2.invisionfree.invalid/The_North_Pacific/

Changing the forum requires consent of the government.

Section 2. The United Federation of Hersfold is designated as the initial root administrator of the new official forum at http://s13.invisionfree.invalid/TNP/index.php?act=idx.

Hein Hersfold! Administrator of Deutschland!

Section 3. This act shall take effect upon its adoption pursuant to Article II, Section 3, Clause 3 of the Constitution, which requires approval by a majority of the members of the regional assembly, and shall be implemented by all officials of the various entities of the TNP government as expeditiously as possible thereafter.

An understatement of Section 1, basically.

CONCLUSION: Hersfold, the administrator, may not change the forum without government consent.

TNP LAW 12
Amendments to Ministry of External Affairs

Editorial note: A constitutional amendment which amended procedures for embassy documents in Article II Section 4 of the Constitution also included an amendment to TNP Law 9. The amendments are incorporated into and reflected in the current text of TNP Law 9, Ministry of External Affairs.

19 January 2006

Nothing needed to be read.

Once again, many thanks to my ever loyal and hardworking and constantly spamming deputy Apollo Industria. Let's have a round of applause!

If any of you have any further questions, feel free to write down in a note and throw it in the direction of AP!

Copyrighted to the much feared god Hersfold for coming up with such an amazing concept!

 

[mr_sniffles]

TNP LAW 13
Establishment of time limitations for the filing of judicial proceedings in The Court of The North Pacific

Section 1. Definitions

As used in this law:
(A) A "Statute of Limitations" places a time limit on pursuing a legal claim in relation to wrongful conduct. After the expiration of the stated period, the victim or the Government loses the right to file a claim seeking criminal punishment or any other remedy as to that claim, unless an exception applies as provided in the Constitution or the Legal Code.

After some period of time you can lose the right to a "legal claim".

(B) “Accrual” refers to the beginning of an applicable time period for a claim. The limitations period does not begin until the act, or the last act of a series, is committed by some actor. If the victim or the Government does not learn of the act until a later time, then the limitations period does not begin until the act, or the last act of a series, is discovered, or should have been discovered, by the victim or the Government.

Accrual= the fancy word for "the start of the period of the claim".

( C ) The presiding officer may determine any issue of fact that exists as to the application of the provisions of this law in an appropriate judicial proceeding.

The head honcho has to scan over it for connections and stuff.

Section 2. General Time Limitation of Actions

Any action filed in the Court of The North Pacific based upon any ground stated in Article V, Section 5 of the Constitution, or that otherwise seeks a punishment or remedy as a result of injury to a member nation of this region, or any other nation, or of the Region generally, shall be commenced within sixty days after the right to file an action accrues.

Any file following Article V of Section 5 of the Constitution, or that seeks a punishment or inclusion concluding of pain to a member nation of TNP, or any other nation, or of the region in general, shall enact within sixty days after the right to file an action is allowed.

Section 3. Time Limitations for Actions Based on Conduct that Occured Prior to 7 July 2005.

Any action filed that relates to a claim that accrued prior to 7 July 2005 must be filed in the Court of The North Pacific no later than 7 July 2006.

You heard him Justice people! Start looking for something that happened a year ago or less!

Section 4. Time Limitations for Actions Filed Subsequent to 6 July 2005 and Prior to 1 May 2006.

Any action filed that related to a claim that accrued subsequent to 6 July 2005 and prior to 1 May 2006 must be filed in the Court of the North Pacific no later than 1 September 2006.

Incredibly similar to Section 4 of this law.

Section 5. Impeachment Proceedings.

Any action in the nature of an impeachment proceeding may not be brought once the current term of the officeholder expires, or the officeholder leaves office.

"I Want to Impeach Nastic from UN Delegate Office!" Can't. Not gonna happen. Too late, dude. It's '06.

Section 6. Effective Date

This Law shall take effect on 1 May 2006.


5 April 2006

Bring candy for everyone for the opening day of TNP Law 13 at your local forum shop!

and once again, thank Apollo-Industria for some good work!!