Law and Enforcement

Many laws in United Britannia and Hibernia are the same as those in the human world (of course, there are exceptions when it comes to magic-related laws). Those that enforce the laws are called Vigiles (singular Vigile).

Magical laws

Many laws are concerned with magic. Of course, the main one is Lex Una Edict: a witch should never have contact with humans. Additionally, many types of magic are illegal, including Dark Magic, much of Time Magic, and some Transportation Magic. Depending on the spell, the punishment may run from prison time to execution.
Perhaps the most overarching law in UBH is to never use magic maliciously.

Judicial process

All offenses are brought to the Council. In many ways, the judicial system is similar to the human world's, with one notable difference: there are no lawyers or representation for the accused; they must defend themselves. The accused have access to the vast law collection in the @great in order to prepare their defense.
Guilt is decided by a Council vote. If 70% of the Council votes guilty, a guilty verdict is handed down. The accused then has three months to form an appeal. If the verdict is the same, the sentencing and punishment will almost always take place within two weeks of the appeal verdict.

Punishments

Punishments vary widely and are usually swift and harsh. For very minor offenses, volunteering or a fine might suffice. However, for middling offenses, prison time can always be expected. Prisons are supposedly just for rehabilitation, although opinions on that differ widely. The prison's location is unknown. For the most severe offenses, there is often torture and/or execution (the most severe offenses include contact with humans, performing forbidden magic, murder, and rape). The harshness of punishments is something that is hotly debated amongst the political parties of UBH.

Psychic Magic

Because it is extraordinarily difficult--although not impossible--to lie to a witch with Psychic Magic, the Council will sometimes have someone testify in front of a Psychic Witch and then use the Psychic witch's conclusion to give a verdict. Most witches, however, realize this evidence shouldn't be admissible in court, but since the Council utilizes this method only sparingly (that most witches know of), there hasn't been any large-scale protesting about it.

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