Còd Laghail (Legal Code): Waston

This technologically advanced nation has a few interesting differences to their legal code compared to the other countries, most to do with technology and the like.

Purpose

The purpose of this document, besides being a legal code obviously, was to provide some codified standards of operational practices and technological trading at the international level. It was written and planned out to insure Waston can stay one step up on the competition.

Document Structure

Clauses

This document is divided into the following categories: Capital offenses, Civil Code, Criminal Code, Economic Code, Immigration Code, Property Laws

Publication Status

Readily available, though as it is large, generally its available in sections to check on request in any church or town hall.

Legal status

It is the legal code

Historical Details

Background

This legal code is consistently changing on the side of the Economic section as the technological revolution this nation is experiencing continually provides new and exciting ideas in all fields.

History

Historically it is well known this legal code is written to restrict international trade of the newest technology of weapons and armors, to insure Waston keeps that advantage. This creates a wide spread culture of inventiveness, seeking to capitalize on the previous invention on the international market by creating a technologically new and improved version, or a better item for the task.

Public Reaction

Like any legal code, you can never please everyone. depending who you ask, there are always possible nitpicks. But overall, the public has, and continues to be quite pleased with this document.

Read the Document

Còd Laghail (Legal Code): Waston

Lots of legal material, pretty standard stuff one would expect. The main part of interest is the Economic Section

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
Waston has a civil court as well, and law suits are a thing that can happen, these apply for any matter not criminal where one person feels they have been wronged by another, or a company. Such a thing is odd in and of itself as the only other nation with such a section in their legal code is Suranth.


Criminal Code
This section is naturally one of the longest, breaking down the laws of Waston 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, which will be honored, trial by combat. However any citizen only gets one. Should you win, the offenses you are being charged with at the time will be dropped. However this will be a matter of public record and should you be arrested and charged with anything new? Trial by combat is no longer a right you have.

-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, though not necessarily a proper legal representative. If you cant find or afford to hire a lawyer, you are responsible for your own defense.
-You are to be assumed innocent until proven guilty.

Economic Code
This section details everything from how the market flows, what the rules are on shipping standards, mining standards, etc etc. But the big part is also the tax code. All citizens must pay a 12% income tax on all they make.
Also in regards to invention and technology and trading such things outside Waston's borders. You require a permit for each good you wish to trade, must be renewed yearly. Any technology two years old or less is forbidden to be traded internationally. The possible sentence for such a crime is minimum of ten years.
Patents are a thing and Waston's patent offices are home to perhaps the most immaculately kept records on the continent. But stringent rules do apply. A working prototype is but first step diving down the rabbit hole to acquire a patent.
Immigration Laws
This section details the laws of immigration in Waston. 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

Collage / Various

Authoring Date

930

Ratification Date

950

Signatories (Organizations)

• Waston