His August Majestie's Courts

The present court system was established by the Judiciary Act of 7527, an Act of the Privy Council (Composite Code XI.1.1). This substance of this Act was originally put forward by the lame-duck Privy Council of 7526 (whose members had just been chosen as Lord Great Steward and Regent) as part of the Administrative Areas Act of 7526. The incoming Privy Council objected, and formed a Committee on the Judiciary, which recommended that the original Act was invalid, and that it should be split into two bills and validly enacted by the new Privy Council. This was done on 2 Gwaeron 7527. The Act contains a list of rights (below) reflecting the 5th, 6th, and 8th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

Under the terms of the Elective Offices Act of 7527 (CC III.2.1), the Lord High Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal "shall supervise the character of and be responsible for the conduct of all courts in His August Majestie's realms." The Chancellor is a peer elected to the office by the Council-General; when a commoner is elected to the office, he uses only the title "Keeper of the Great Seal." The Chancellor enjoys precedence immediately after the Lord President, unless the Chancellor is a peer and the President a commoner, in which case their precedence is reversed. The incumbent Keeper is The Rt. Hon. Sir Jesse Fleck, styled Earl of Amon Sûl, Kt., N.O.M., P.C.

• The Courts of Council

  • The Council-General, His Grace the Lord Great Steward presiding

  • The Privy Council in judicial session, The Lord High Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal presiding [appeals to the Council-General by petition to His Grace the Lord Great Steward]

• The Courts of Chancery [appeals to the Privy Council]

  • The Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  • The Masters in Chancery

• The High Court of Justice, The Lady Chief Justice (The Right Honourable and Learned the Baroness Glanduin), presiding [appeals to the Courts of Chancery]

• The Palatine Courts

  • Courts Baron of the Palatine Dukes, the Dukes presiding [appeals to the Courts of Chancery]

  • Courts of Session [appeals to the Court-Baron]

  • Municipal Courts [appeals to the Court-Baron]

• The Special Courts

  • The Lord Great Steward's Court

  • The High Court of Chivalry [appeals to the Privy Council]

  • Courts Martial [appeals to the Privy Council]

  • Civic Courts [appeals to the Privy Council]

General Provisions

• • • Tenure

"The several judges and justices other than the Lord Great Steward, the Lord Chancellor, the Dukes having Palatine Authority, and the Kings of Heralds of Arms, shall, Until the King Return, hold office during their good behaviour and shall at times stated receive for their services a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office."

• Rights

"In all criminal prosecutions conducted before these courts, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, and to be informed of the nature and cause of his accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. And in all criminal prosecutions before the High Court of Justice, the Courts of Session, the Municipal Courts, & the Civic Courts, the accused shall enjoy the right to trial by an impartial jury. And no person shall be held to answer for a capital to otherwise infamous crime, except on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury; nor shall any person be subject for any offense twice to be put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted."