Reconciliation Forums of Betazed
The Reconciliation Forums of Betazed is a hierarchical judicial assembly for disputes between Betazed's citizens, and on occasion, between citizens and one or more of the Houses of Betazed.
The Reconciliation Forums are considered a separate body to the Betazoid Government Council, where disputes are heard between the Houses.
History
Reconciliation forums are built on many hundreds of years of tradition. Before Betazed became a member of the Federation, like Betazoid weddings, all participants in a Reconciliation Forum where required to appear naked. However, after joining the Federation, “off-worlders” involved in forums were often uncomfortable with this practice. The tradition was subsequently changed so that all participants wear gowns, similar to Terran Kimonos. Military or Starfleet officers by convention are held in high respect by Forums and are the exception to this rule, and are required to wear their uniforms.
The presiding official of a Forum is known as an Adjudicator. Adjudicators used to have to be female, but that changed in the late 2200s, due to pressure from the Federation.
Heirarchy
There are three levels of the Reconciliation Forum system: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Any disputes involving a House of Betazed must be heard by a sitting of the Primary Reconcilation Forum.
Reconcilation and Compromise
As an effect of the Betazoid Matriarchal society, compromise and reunion of parties is the ultimate focus of an Adjudicator of a Forum. Unlike the legal judicial institutions of other worlds such as Earth, a reconciliation forum did not base itself on an adversarial or inquisitorial system.
Even when a dispute involves more than two legal entities (parties), all parties represented at a Reconciliation Forum.
Roles
A Reconciliation Forum has the following roles:
- Adjudicator: the presiding official of a Reconciliation Forum session. Must be referred to as "Mother" or "Father". An Adjudicators ancestry can not be noble, nor can they have any known affiliation to Betazoid House nobles.
- Reflector: A strong empath, but must not have any telepathic abilities. The role of the reflector was to gauge any emotional inconsistencies from any member of a party participating in a forum, and report those to the Adjudicator. They were usually naturally talented and strong empaths, although in shorter cases are not usually called upon.
- Keeper: Adjudicator's administrative officer.
- Party: A represented legal entity (i.e. person or organisation) at a Forum, who are part of the dispute to be settled
- Representative: A person appointed to legally represent a Party
- Children: The title used by the Adjudicator to address members of all of the participating parties
- Advocate: A person or organisation that can act on behalf of a Party
Procedures and Rules
Initiation
To initiate a Reconcilation Forum, a Party must lodge a petition, and name the disputed party or parties. An assigned Adjudicator will assess the petition, and then if deems appropriate, schedule a Reconciliation Forum with the parties. All parties then submit a brief to the Adjudicator prior to the Forum.
Reason for Lodgement
At the beginning of a Forum, the petitioner summarises their reason for lodging a petition.
Communication
All official communication is to be verbal. Anything not spoken aloud is dismissed. Debate is encouraged, but the goal is resolution, not discord. Truth is an absolute. Anyone being false will be severely penalized.
Betazoid House Nobles or Employees
Any noble or employee of a House must disclose their title and/or role to the Adjudicator at the beginning of proceedings.
Conventions
Children that are called upon to speak by the Adjudicator are expected to stand, except in cases of ill health. Children are also expected to bow their head to the Adjudicator when issued with an instruction, or to answer in the affirmative to an Adjudicator's question.
The Keeper announces when an Adjudicator is entering a forum:
- "[Mother/Father] is entering. Respect from all."
All persons present at a Forum, including members of the spectating gallery, must stand when the Keeper announces the arrival and departure of the Adjudicator.
Once the Adjudicator enters the room, the Adjudicator announces the beginning of the Forum, with words similar to the following:
- "Greetings, Children. I am [Mother/Father] [Adjudicator Name]. We are here by the request of [Party name], to hear their petition. And to bring harmony."
Interjections
A Representative may request to interject during proceedings, to protest the testimony of another Representative, member of a another Party ("Child"), or the decision of an Adjudicator. The Adjudicator rules on the interjection, and their decision is final. Continued protesting is generally not tolerated by The Adjudicator, and may be punished to the Adjudicator's satisfaction within legal bounds.