User:Ric/Independence of Realms Bill

DRAFT

An Act on the Lawful Secession of Realms from the Order of the Holy Lakes

Right to seek independence

1. Any government of a realm of the Order of the Holy Lakes that is satisfied that the values of the realm and those of the Order are irreconcilably different may make a submission to the Chancellor of the Order declaring the same, for the purpose of seeking independence.
2. The day on which the Chancellor receives such submission shall be deemed the day of receipt, and the process prescribed by this Act shall commence on that day.

Form and content of submission

1. The submission shall be made in writing and shall:
   1. identify the government making the submission and the credentials of the person making the submission for the government;
   2. state the reasons for which the government considers the values of the realm and those of the Order to be irreconcilably different; and
   3. request negotiations with the Order for an agreement of total sovereignty.
2. The submission shall be entered into the official records of the Order by the Office of the Chancellor.

Territorial integrity during the process

1. From the day of receipt, and until either:
   1. the ratification of an agreement of total sovereignty between the realm and the Order, or
   2. the expiry of twelve Norton years from the day of receipt, whichever occurs sooner,
2. no law, decree, or act of the Senate or of any authority of the Order may alter the borders, territory, or jurisdiction of the realm.
3. During this period, the realm shall continue to enjoy the same territorial status as on the day of receipt.

Negotiations

1. Upon receipt of a valid submission, the Chancellor shall enter into negotiations with the government of the realm, with the view to conclude an agreement of total sovereignty.
2. The negotiations shall be conducted in good faith and shall cover all matters deemed necessary by either party, including but not limited to:
   1. borders and territorial demarcation,
   2. citizenship and nationality,
   3. trade, economic, and fiscal relations,
   4. mutual rights and obligations of inhabitants,
   5. law and judicial matters,
   6. preservation of cultural and historical heritage, and
   7. any transitional or administrative arrangements deemed necessary for the orderly separation.
3. Upon conclusion of an agreement of total sovereignty, the Chancellor shall present it to the Senate of the Lakes for ratification.
   1. The agreement shall enter into force only upon such ratification.
   2. If the Senate does not ratify the agreement, negotiations may be reopened by either party.
4. The Chancellor shall keep the Senate of the Lakes informed of the progress of negotiations as appropriate.

Automatic grant of sovereignty

1. If, after twelve Norton years from the day of receipt, no agreement has been concluded and ratified, and the government of the realm continues to maintain that the differences in values between the realm and the Order are irreconcilable, then the realm shall automatically be granted total sovereignty.
2. Upon such grant:
   1. no law, decree, or other act of the Order shall have any force or effect within the territory of the realm or upon its inhabitants; and
   2. the realm shall thereafter be considered a sovereign entity independent of the Order of the Holy Lakes,
   3. all Order institutions and forces be vacated from the territory of the realm.