@part(laws, root = "/mit/abstract/Characters/sheet.format")

@section(Realm Legislature)

@subsection(The Table of Peers)

The Table of Peers has functioned as the Realm's ultimate legislative
body and court of appeal for approximately twenty years.  The Peers
are empowred to pass and repeal ammendments to the Articles of the
Realm, to assign judges and arbitrators, to overthrow or support
decisions handed down by judges and arbitrators, and to make decisions
regarding the miiltary status of the Realm's Guard.

There are five voting seats at the Table, consisting of two
representatives of the Guard of the Realm and the House of Guilds and
three herditary Peerships.  Those who hold hereditary seats at the
Table wear the Symbol of the Realm, a magical tattoo that is
emblazoned upon the Peer's assumption of the position.  Upon the
death, retirement, or expulsion of a Peer, the Symbol is automatically
transferred to the Peer's next of kin.  

@subsection(The Articles of the Realm)

The Articles of the Realm list offenses in the Realm which are
considered criminal, prescribe courtroom procedure, and provide
guidelines for sentencing convicted criminals.  While judges are not
required to adhere to those guidelines, in cases where they do not the
convict is entitled to appeal the sentence to a higher court.

The Articles also set forth the authorized powers of the Guard of the
Realm in enforcing those laws, and in cases where a Guardian can be
shown to have exceeded those authorized powers, evidence he has
gathered cannot be used in a court of law.  

The Articles have been ammended many times.  Most recently, the
Internal Security Act was passed, allowing Guards of the Realm greater
latitude in the prosecution of Eastern immigrants and nationalized
prisoners of war.  Ammendments to the Articles can be passed by a
simple majority, and can be repealed by a 4/5 majority vote.