TRMN:Membership Handbook:PeerageRemove

Removal of Peerage

There is both canon and real-life precedent for a practice such as this and it serves the best interests of the members and the organization to have this in place. Peerages are a recognition for a higher level of leadership and commitment to the organization. Should said Peer abuse their position in violation of an Admiralty Order (AO), or any of the Code of Conducts, then measures must be taken to correct these situations. There are two options to this process.

The first option is the Peerage Abeyance Process (Omega), which is the version to be used when the possibility of Peerage removal exists. Following the Rules of Order in the House of Lords, the Lord Speaker (or his designate) will select three (3) members holding peerage equal to or higher than the accused, as well as the JAG (who will not vote) to form a Peerage Board. If three (3) peers of equal or greater peerage are not found, the Lord Speaker will look to peerages at the next lowest level.

The evidence of infractions will be reviewed by the Board. If found to be compelling, the Board will vote on the Abeyance and the vote must unanimous. In the event of a dissent, the Board will reconvene to discuss the issues under dissent. The Board will then determine the period of abeyance and any actions required by the Peer during abeyance.

Articles of Abeyance

1. If Abeyance is invoked, the Usage of the Title is suspended while abeyance is in effect.
2. If Abeyance is invoked, the Titleholder is ineligible for further elevation while abeyance is in effect.
3. If Abeyance is invoked, the Peerage Lands are considered dormant, and shall not be developed.
4. If Abeyance is invoked, the Peerage lose its place of seniority amongst the active Peers, and new Peers that are added.
5. If Abeyance is invoked, the Peerage Title will be changed to a blank device, and the name of the peer replaced with “Title in Abeyance”.
6. If Abeyance is invoked, the Peer shall not have access to or be involved in the Matters of the House of Lords while in Abeyance.
7. If Abeyance is invoked, the length of time will be determined by the Peerage Board.
8. The Lord Speaker, or a Peer appointed by the Lord Speaker, will present the Abeyance offer to the Peer in question.
9. Should the Peer in question reject the offer of Abeyance, the Lord Speaker will then convene a Peerage Court.
10. If Abeyance is invoked, the Peer shall be treated with the due respect of their title, without its direct use in any formal situation.
11. If Abeyance is invoked, at the end of the Abeyance period, the Peer shall petition the Lord Speaker for reinstatement of their Peerage.

Peerage Court

Following the Rules of Order in the House of Lords, a Peer of the Realm, Steadholder of Grayson or Senator of Haven who have abused their position by violating an Admiralty Order or an Article of the Code of Conduct to the detriment of the organization shall be summoned before a Peerage Court to determine the continued status of their Peerage.

The Lord Speaker (or his designate) will select five (5) members holding Peerage equal to or higher than the accused. The Judge Advocate General (or his designate) will facilitate the presentation of the facts of the case to the Court. The Summoned Peer shall be permitted to submit their claim and defense.

Once all the evidence has been received and the presentations have concluded, the Court members may adjourn to discuss the case before them. Within twelve (12) hours of said adjournment, the Court will vote accordingly.

A majority vote against the Summoned Peer will result in a decrease of Peerage. In the case where there is no lower Peerage, then a complete loss of Peerage will result. A unanimous vote against the Summoned Peer will result in a complete Loss of Peerage.

There is no appeal for a loss of Peerage. Peerages lost in this manner will not be re-granted to the offender.

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