Laws of the Imperium

A thread of 2 messages, 1 June 1991 to 4 June 1991, in the order they were sent.

#2398 Laws of the Imperium

Hans Rancke-Madsen · 1 June 1991

It seems to be my week for questioning assumptions.
The following came up during a discussion on law and ethics in the PBEM:

>       "Thank you for your LEGAL opinion Doctor; perhaps you would care
>to examine Section XXV, which as a part of every crewmember's employment
>contract waives all claims against Turnskaad, its agents and employees,
>except to recover amounts due under the insurance and salvage agreements
>which all crew signed."

This is undoubtedly good law in the Imperium of the PBEM universe. I
remember my character being asked to sign this waiver. I didn't think much
about it at the time, but today it struck me that this may be good law in
USA, but it certainly isn't in Denmark. In Denmark there are certain rights
you _cannot_ sign away. If someone is responsible for maiming you, then no
amount of waivers will mean a thing. He's still liable.

So the question that struck me was: What are the laws of the Imperium? Are
they just carbon copies of American laws, late 20th century? Can anybody
remember any Imperial laws mentioned in the Traveller and Megatraveller
canon? I seem to recall something about a definition of murder and some laws
about robots. Anything else?

      Hans Rancke
University of Copenhagen
     [email removed]

#2411 Re: Laws of the Imperium

Chris G. Sylvain · 4 June 1991 · reply to #2398

> From: Hans Rancke-Madsen [email removed]
>
> So the question that struck me was: What are the laws of the Imperium? Are
> they just carbon copies of American laws, late 20th century? Can anybody
> remember any Imperial laws mentioned in the Traveller and Megatraveller
> canon? I seem to recall something about a definition of murder and some laws
> about robots. Anything else?

Being the author of the remark which spawned your query, I am also very
interested in this subject. A long way back, I submitted to the TML a
message which speculated on how laws operated in the Imperium, in terms
of what was forbidden, under whose jurisdiction things fell, and so on.

My best resource so far is a well-read No. 14, Journal of the Travellers'
Aid Society, titled "Laws and Lawbreakers." There's an article on police
forces, a couple of paramilitary/police Striker vehicles, and an article
entitled "High Justice" which briefly sketches out how to handle legal
matters.

Hitting the high points: Modern crimes are the concern of planetary
authorities; subsector courts handle unlawful introduction of hi-tech
to a low tech world, violation of a planetary interdiction, possession
and/or use of NBC weapons, and war crimes (as defined by the Imperial
rules of war.); Imperial courts handle capture/transport/possession of
slaves, piracy, murder of Imperial officers/officials/nobles, theft of
Imperial property, treason against the Imperium and conspiracy to commit
treason against the Imperium.

Nick Sylvain

Enforce the Second Amendment!