The Court
How the Court works
Three levels. Two deadlines of 3 days each. The Supreme Court has the final word.
The three levels
-
Level 1
The Administrator
Draco
Decides punishments and lawsuits.
- Appeal within 3 days Guaranteed: every appeal in time is heard
-
Level 2
Appellate Panel
Three members, assigned by the Supreme Court
Hears the appeal and decides it.
- Confirmthe decision stands
- Changea new decision replaces it
- Send backdecide again, with directions
- Petition within 3 days Discretionary: the Court chooses which cases to hear
-
Level 3
Supreme Court
Chief Justice Solus and the Court
Decides which petitions to hear. Its decision is final.
- Confirmthe decision stands
- Changea new decision replaces it
- Send backdecide again, with directions
What an appellate court can do
Confirm
The decision below stands as it is.
Change
The court replaces the decision, for example by reducing or lifting a punishment.
Send back
The case returns to the level below to be decided again, following the court’s directions (remand).
Precedent
- Supreme CourtMay depart from its own precedent, with stated reasons
- Appellate PanelsBound by the Supreme Court
- The AdministratorBound by both
Appellate rulings are precedent: they bind every case below them.
Only the Supreme Court may depart from its own precedent, and when it does, it must give its reasons.
A Panel that ignores binding precedent is a ground for petitioning the Supreme Court.