Part I- Preliminary

Section 1- Title

1. This Statute may be cited as the Koru’s Court Statute, 2026.

Section 2- Commencement

1. This Statute shall come into force on a date appointed by the Koru of the Hokorian State.

Section 3- Interpretation

1. “State” means the Hokorian State.
2. “Koru” means the Koru of the Hokorian State.
3. “Court” means the Koru’s Court established under this Statute.
4. “Judge” means a Judge of the Court and includes the Chief Judge unless otherwise specified.
5. “Chief Judge” means the Chief Judge of the Court.
6. “Authorised official” means a person designated by the Koru or by law as having authority to bring a criminal accusation before the Court.
7. “Civil claim” means a claim brought by a person or entity against another person or entity before the Court.
8. “Public register” means the public record of Court cases, filings, rulings and orders maintained under this Statute.
9. “Minor” means a person under the age of eighteen years.

Part II- Establishment and Authority of the Court

Section 4- Establishment of the Court

1. The Koru’s Court is hereby established as the sole court of the Hokorian State.
2. The Court shall operate as part of the Koru’s Office.
3. The purpose of the Court is to ensure fair trials and hearings within the Hokorian legal system.

Section 5- Authority of the Koru

1. The Court operates in the name and authority of the Koru.
2. All rulings and orders of the Court are made in the name of the Koru.
3. No legal action may be brought against the Koru before the Court.
4. The Koru retains the ultimate authority over the Court and may review, overturn or alter any ruling or order of the Court.
5. A decision made by the Koru shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal.

Part III- Composition and Administration of the Court

Section 6- Composition of the Court

1. The Court shall consist of:
   • no more than one Chief Judge,
   • at least one Judge.
2. Judges serve at the will of the Koru.
3. Any citizen of the Hokorian State may be appointed as Chief Judge or Judge.
4. The Koru may appoint or remove any Judge at any time.

Section 7- Assignment of Judges and Administration

1. Hearings of the Court shall normally be conducted by a single Judge.
2. The Koru shall assign Judges to hearings.
3. The Koru may delegate administrative authority relating to the Court to any person or office.
4. Administrative responsibilities may include:
   • assigning Judges to hearings,
   • maintaining Court records,
   • communicating with parties to proceedings,
   • administering Court procedures and systems.

Section 8- Court Filing System

1. All filings to the Court shall be made through an official online filing system.
2. The Koru’s Office shall establish and administer this system.
3. The Koru’s Office may determine procedures, forms and requirements for filings made to the Court.

Section 9- Public Records

1. The Court shall maintain a public register of cases, rulings and orders.
2. Filings shall be shared in full with all parties to a case.
3. Public versions of filings shall normally be made available.
4. Public versions may omit personal information where appropriate.
5. Matters that are sealed under this Statute shall not appear in the public register.

Part IV- Rights and Protections in Court Proceedings

Section 10- Presumption of Innocence

1. Every person accused of an offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.

Section 11- Right to Fair Hearing

1. All parties appearing before the Court are entitled to a fair and impartial hearing.
2. The Court shall treat all parties equally and without bias.

Section 12- Right to be Informed

1. A defendant shall be informed of the accusation made against them.
2. A party to a civil case shall be informed of the claim made against them.

Section 13- Right to Present a Case

1. A party to proceedings may:
   • present evidence,
   • make arguments,
   • respond to evidence presented against them.

Section 14- Right to Representation

1. A party may represent themselves.
2. A party may appoint another person to represent them in proceedings before the Court.

Section 15- Right to Adequate Preparation

1. Parties must be given reasonable time to prepare for hearings.

Section 16- Protection Against Self-Incrimination

1. A person shall not be compelled to provide evidence against themselves.

Section 17- Rights of Victims

1. A victim of an alleged offence may be informed of hearings relating to the case.
2. A victim may submit a statement to the Court concerning the impact of the offence.
3. The Court may consider such statements where relevant.

Section 18- Protection of Children and Vulnerable Persons

1. Where a minor or vulnerable person is involved in proceedings the Court may take protective measures.
2. Protective measures may include:
   • closed hearings,
   • protection of identity,
   • representation by a guardian or responsible person,
   • alternative arrangements for giving evidence.

Section 19- Protection from Harassment or Intimidation

1. No person may harass, intimidate or improperly influence a party, witness or victim involved in Court proceedings.
2. The Court may issue orders necessary to protect participants in proceedings.

Section 20- Timeliness of Proceedings

1. Cases before the Court should be heard and determined within a reasonable time.

Part V- Criminal Proceedings

Section 21- Authorised Officials

1. An authorised official may bring criminal accusations before the Court.
2. The Koru may designate persons as authorised officials.
3. An authorised official who files a criminal accusation shall act as the prosecutor in that case.

Section 22- Filing of Criminal Accusations

1. Criminal proceedings begin when an authorised official files an accusation with the Court.
2. The filing must include:
   • the identity of the defendant or defendants,
   • the charging officer,
   • the prosecutor,
   • the accusation,
   • a brief overview of the evidence.

Section 23- Initial Hearing and Plea

1. After a criminal accusation is filed the Court shall arrange a date and time for an initial hearing.
2. At the initial hearing the defendant shall enter a plea.

Section 24- Criminal Hearings

1. If the defendant pleads not guilty the Court shall schedule a hearing.
2. The Judge shall hear arguments and consider evidence presented by the prosecution and the defence.
3. The Judge shall determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.

Section 25- Standard of Proof

1. A defendant may only be found guilty where the Judge is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.

Section 26- Sentencing

1. Where a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty the prosecution may recommend a sentence or other sanction.
2. The Judge is not bound by the recommendations of the prosecution.
3. Any sentence or sanction imposed must be consistent with applicable law.

Section 27- Protection Against Double Trial

1. A person who has been acquitted shall not be tried again for the same accusation.
2. The Court may permit a retrial where exceptional circumstances exist.

Part VI- Civil Proceedings

Section 28- Civil Claims

1. Any person or entity may file a civil claim against another person or entity.
2. A claimant must make a reasonable attempt to resolve the matter outside the Court before filing a claim.

Section 29- Response to Civil Claims

1. A defendant shall have fourteen days after notification to submit a response to the Court.

Section 30- Civil Hearings

1. After receiving a response the Court shall schedule a hearing.
2. If the defendant fails to respond or attend the hearing the case shall default in favour of the claimant unless the Judge determines that there was a reasonable excuse.
3. If the claimant fails to attend the hearing the case shall default in favour of the defendant unless the Judge determines that there was a reasonable excuse.

Section 31- Standard of Proof in Civil Cases

1. Civil claims shall be determined on the balance of probabilities.

Section 32- Civil Judgements

1. After hearing the case the Judge shall determine whether the claim is valid.
2. The Judge shall issue an appropriate judgement consistent with the law.

Part VII- Appeals

Section 33- Right of Appeal

1. A party to a case may file an appeal against a judgement of the Court.
2. Appeals must normally be filed within one month of sentencing or judgement.

Section 34- Appeal Hearings

1. Appeals shall normally be heard by the Chief Judge.
2. If the Chief Judge presided over the original hearing the appeal shall be heard by another Judge or by the Koru.

Section 35- Powers on Appeal

1. After hearing an appeal the Court may:
   • uphold the original ruling,
   • overturn the ruling,
   • modify the ruling,
   • order a new hearing.

Part VIII- Closed and Sealed Hearings

Section 36- Closed Hearings

1. A party may request that a hearing be closed to the public.
2. The Judge may approve or refuse the request.

Section 37- Sealed Hearings

1. A Judge may order that a case be sealed.
2. Where a case is sealed no party may disclose details of the case or proceedings.

Part IX- Judicial Conduct and Procedure

Section 38- Judicial Recusal

1. A Judge must not preside over a case where they have a conflict of interest.
2. Where such circumstances arise another Judge shall be assigned.

Section 39- Correction of Errors

1. The Court may correct clerical or administrative errors in its rulings or records.

Part X- Enforcement and Procedural Authority

Section 40- Contempt of Court

1. A person commits contempt of Court if they:
   • intentionally disrupt a hearing,
   • refuse to comply with a lawful order,
   • knowingly interfere with the administration of justice.

Section 41- Rules of Court

1. The Court may issue procedural rules governing proceedings.
2. Such rules must be consistent with this Statute and any other law of the State.

Part XI- General Provision

Section 42- Preservation of the Authority of the Koru

1. Nothing in this Statute limits the authority of the Koru over the Court or over judicial decisions made in the name of the Koru.