House of Peers (Fatrea)

House of Peers
House of Peers
Type
Type	Upper house
History
Founded	15 February 2024
Leadership
Speaker	Vacant
Deputy Speaker	Vacant
House Leader	Vacant
Structure
Length of term	Life Tenure
Elections
Voting system	Appointment
Constitution
	Constitution of Fatrea

The House of Peers is the upper house of the Parliament of Fatrea. Unlike the House of Commons, the lower house, members of the house are appointed and serve for life.

As the upper house of parliament, the House of Peers has very similar powers to the House of Commons. It scrutinises and votes on legislation, holds the government to account, and can receive reports on public policy. Legislation, with the exception of money bills, as well as legislative amendments can be proposed in the house. As one of the three legislative powers in Fatrea (along with the monarch and House of Commons), the House of Peers has a veto over legislation.

Members of the house can also serve as government ministers. There is also no defined fixed number of seats in the house - with the constitution allowing for members to be appointed to the house without concern for number.

While primarily a legislative body, the constitution also grants the house some judicial powers.

History

The House of Peers was founded on 15 February 2024. It was instated by Chapter III of the constitution - which outlines the powers, duties and role of the house as well as membership of the house. The constitution also defines the relationships of some other institutions with the house.

Functions

As the upper house of parliament, the House of Peers has a range of functions as outlined in the constitution.

Legislative Functions

The House of Peers is first and foremost a legislative body. Article 26 of the constitution describes the chamber as an "essential part of the legislative power". Their legislative power is almost identical to that of the House of Commons - with the exception of money bills which are constitutionally required to only originate from the House of Commons.

The House of Peers may propose legislation and amendments to both existing legislation and the constitution. As well as this, the house may veto legislation. If the house vetoes legislation, it cannot be re-proposed the remainder of that legislative session.

Bills cannot become law without the assent of the house - as the constitution defines that all legislation needs the assent of both Houses of Parliament as well as the monarch.

Judicial Powers

The House of Peers is constitutionally permitted to act as a court - being given jurisdiction over crimes of high treason. The house does not primarily act as a judicial body but tends to hear high profile court cases that are not being heard by the Supreme Court, or cases of impeachment. Cases heard by the house are selected by majority decision of the house.

When trying cases, the speaker of the house acts as the chief judge and so presides over the trial. Other peers are able to act as associate judges.

Members of the house are not immune from being tried by the house.

Government Scrutiny

As the government is politically responsible to parliament, the House of Peers has a role in scrutiny. The constitution permits ministers to be appointed from both houses of parliament equally, and as a result the house has a duty to scrutinise actions of ministers that belong to the house. This is usually done through question time.

In addition to this, the House of Peers tries cases of impeachment of ministers. The House of Commons motions to begin trials of impeachment but the House of Peers conducts the trial. If the house finds the minister guilty, they can remove them from office and prevent them from being reappointed.

Privileges

Like the House of Commons, the House of Peers holds a number of privileges as granted by the constitution. The first and foremost privilege of the house is absolute freedom of speech in debate. Nothing said in the house during sittings of the house may be questioned by any body outside of parliament. In addition to this, the house has right to hold private sittings. Members are also immune to arrest during sittings of the house. Members cannot be arrested without the permission of the house.

Membership

Members of the house are appointed by the monarch and serve for life. Members are appointed by virtue of holding a peerage, however royal princes may sit as members of the house and rank immediately after the speaker of the house. The constitution permits the expulsion of members for breaches of house privilege, or in cases of the committal of high crimes. Members may also retire from the house, or resign their seat.

Members are appointed at the monarch's discretion but the prime minister may nominate peers to hold seats.

Officers

The primary officer is the Speaker of the House of Peers, commonly known as the Peers Speaker. The speaker is the presiding officer of the house and is appointed by the monarch on the nomination of the house. The speaker oversees house business and maintains order during debates. When the house acts as a judicial body, the speaker acts like the chief judge.

The speaker is supported by a deputy speaker, who is appointed by the monarch on the speaker's nomination.

In addition to the speaker and deputy speaker, there is a Leader of the House of Peers. The leader of the house is a government officer appointed to organise government business in the house on behalf of the prime minister.