The Prime Adjudicator

Currently operating in tandem with Internal Affairs, but with a degree of extended reach, the position of Prime Adjudicator was created to fulfill the gap created in the legal system by the existence of a supreme authority, the Emperor. While the Imperial Legal system remains largely unchanged since it’s inception, parts of the Legal Code are subject to rapid and frequent changes. Most of these sections are in reference to Sector Codes rather than Imperial Code, but the changes must be ratified and incorporated into the system as a whole, or the entire basis of legal stability begins to crumble.

The Prime Adjudicator is mainly responsible for reviewing, approving and incorporating Sector Laws into the Imperial Legal Code. Another less used function of this aspect is the incorporation of decrees from the throne. While not requiring review, these are less frequently presented.

A secondary function of the Prime Adjudicator is to act as sole Judge and Jury in High Crimes against the Empire. When a case presents itself where a citizen is accused of a High Crime, the Prime Adjudicator is presented all the evidence and is tasked to rule on the case. Once the ruling is handed down, it can only be rescinded by a direct order from the Throne. In cases where the accused is found guilty and the sentence is death, the Prime Adjudicator also is responsible for enacting this punishment. This measure is partly symbolic, but also serves as a direct reminder to the Empire that the rule of Law is absolute.

Recently, the Prime Adjudicator has been tasked with the review of all treaties and trade agreements. The main force behind this decision is that no other single source in the Empire is as well versed in Imperial Law, and capable of validating the legality of all documents to be enforced.

The position is one that is constantly evolving into what suites the need of the Throne. The role is expanding and should continue to do so over the foreseeable future. Currently the position resides inside the Imperial Security Bureau and is appointed by the Director of the ISB with the approval of the Emperor.

History of the Office of Adjudication

In the dark days that were the Clone Wars, a solution to the rampant crime spreading throughout the Empire was needed. After conferring with his close advisors and trusted aides, Emperor Charon created a judicial body that was empowered not only to sit in judgment, but also enforce the punishments it levied out. Within weeks of the establishment of the Adjudicators, crime in the Imperial capital had plummeted. In the months that followed, the success of this program spread like wildfire throughout the controlled regions of space and even into the frontier worlds. Criminals were now faced with an adversary that operated within the strict confines of the law, but was able to act as judge, jury and executioner.

The Imperial Senate was at first opposed to the creation of the Adjudicators, but success is hard to criticize. After just four months of operation the Office gained Senate approval and the legitimacy it deserved was now gained. To this day however, there are several small factions within the Senate that argue the powers vested in the Office of Adjudication are too broad and vague, that they lack the needed restraints to ensure no abuses of power are committed. While these objectors are vocal, they are few in number. And to this day, there have been no reported abuses of power within the Office.

In recent months, the Office has been assigned the task of reworking the Imperial Legal Code as well as overseeing the judicial branch of the Imperial government. All high crimes within the Empire are now handed over to an Adjudicator for judgment and sentencing. The process of treaty ratification and sector-wide taxation now also runs through the Office for legal approval.

Like its parent organization, the Imperial Security Bureau, the Office of Adjudication operates freely throughout the Empire. Every major world has an Office branch in which high crimes are tried and punishments for the guilty are carried out. But in cases where the world is too small or remote to merit a permanent facility, the Adjudicators may take the law enforcement process into their own hands. Typically, an Adjudicator is not assigned to a specific world, but to a region of space. While every effort is made to keep an Adjudicator within a specific sector of space, the area of coverage needed often overlaps boundaries between the traditional Diamond, Ruby and Emerald Sectors.

With the recent increases in the separatist movement, the Office has been called upon to step up it's questioning of detained criminals in an effort to obtain as much information as possible about this troubling dilemma. Whatever the future holds for the Empire, it is certain that the Adjudicators will see plenty of action in the years to come.

Administration of the Adjudicators

The Office is lead by the Prime Adjudicator who answers to the Director if the Imperial Security Bureau. This individual is the public face of Imperial Law. Operating out of the newly renovated judiciary hall in Imperial Center on Coruscant, the Prime Adjudicator is directly appointed by the Emperor and is in direct control of the entire Office staff, of which the exact numbers are classified. While most day to day logistical support is left to the individual sector heads, the Prime Adjudicator is often called upon to chair high profile cases and treaty negotiations. Working closely with DiploServ, the Prime Adjudicator ensures that all negotiations are conducted in accordance with Imperial Law and in fact has been called upon to mediate several disputes between member species and civilizations.

As the physical embodiment of Imperial Law, the Prime Adjudicator must be beyond reproach. They must see things in black and white at all times in order to keep the Imperial Code enforced fairly and without biased. They are not final because they are infallible; they are infallible because they are final.

Adjudication Sector Heads act as the eyes and ears of the Office. They run the day to day operations of the Office in their respective sectors. The general public is not informed as to how many sectors the Office maintains or the identity of the Sector Heads, but their work is unmistakable. Answering directly to the Prime Adjudicator, the Sector Heads enjoy a wide berth with regards to their operations. These men and women are directly responsible for the cooperation with local government and military forces as well as constant reports to both the Imperial Security Bureau and Imperial Intelligence.