Unitary Astroism/The Courts of Astra

The Courts of Astra

The Astral See

The Astral See is the first and lowest court within the Courts of Astra. All faithful members in communion - excluding Companions, Hedge Knights, Penitent Knights, and all the Elders - have equal voting power within the Astral See. Those excluded remain observers. The entire body is headed by all three Consuls, who direct discussion, maintain order, and organize votes. The Exarch of the Astral Order issues all formal accusations (which initiate trials) and verdicts (which end trials.)

Formal accusations are brought first to the Astral See for proper deliberation by the majority of the clergy. This allows widespread review from numerous perspectives, granting the See's final verdict remarkable legitimacy. After a formal accusation has been levied, the Astral See has seven days to deliberate, during which time its members may cast their votes. Members may vote guilty, not guilty, or they may choose to abstain. Votes may be changed during the process of deliberation, provided that time still remains or no consensus has been made. Those who fail to vote are considered to have voted in abstention. The Exarch and the accused are expected to vote guilty and not guilty respectively. Thus, their votes will only be counted in verdicts which have failed to achieve full consensus.

By sundown on the seventh day, a verdict is expected. Votes may no longer be changed at this time. Once a verdict is issued, two days' time is given to make an appeal to the Elders' court. Any verdict made cannot go into effect until these two days are up. Either the accused in a "guilty" verdict, or the Exarch of the Astral Order in a "not guilty" verdict may appeal to the Elders' Court.

If full consensus is achieved during initial deliberations, an appeal cannot be made, and the verdict goes into effect immediately.

The Elders' Court

The Elders' Court is manned by the elders of the faith below the Most Holy Offices, each having equal voting power. The court is headed by the faith's Castellan, and overseen by the Holy Prophet (both of whom refrain from voting.) The Elders' Court serves as an appeals court, rendering its verdicts superior to the Astral See's. Cases are brought forth solely by appeal from verdicts made in the Astral See, which are then accepted or declined at the Light of the Bloodmoon's discretion (to ensure impartiality.) The Elder's court has five days to deliver its own verdict, issued formally by the faith's Castellan. An extension of seven days can be afforded, provided that the Holy Prophet and the faith's Castelan unanimously agree. If an extension is made, an appeal to the Astral Council is no longer made possible. Without an extension, two days for appeal following a verdict can be made by the Holy Prophet to the Astral Council. The Holy Prophet reserves this right due to the growing sensitivity of the case. In his possible absence, the duty falls unto the Castellan.

The Astral Council

The Astral Council is the highest court in the Courts of Astra. Its verdicts are final and absolute. Its members include the Lights of the Faith and the Most Holy Offices, each having equal voting power. It is headed by the Holy Prophet himself. The Astral Council may receive cases by appeal from the Elders' Court, or by Inquisitional Order (when the accused is an elder of the faith.) The Astral Council has five days to deliberate on any case. By sunset on the fifth day, the Holy Prophet delivers a verdict.

Ongoing Cases

None

Final Verdicts

None