Arbiter

Arbitors are representatives of the law within the Inbound Lands, though their jurisdiction is generally limited to meting out judgement in specific regions or as related to specialized fields of knowledge.

Arbitors are representatives of the law within the Inbound Lands, though their jurisdiction is generally limited to meting out judgement in specific regions or as related to specialized fields of knowledge. They are a rank above the Peacekeepers, are equal in rank to Consensors and Mediators, and fall below the rank of Judge.

Arbitors are used in instances where the decision rests on specialized knowledge, where matters appear to be relatively clear in nature, or where a speedy outcome is necessary or desired. Due to these case attributes, and in contrast to the processes of Consensus, the decision of an Arbitor has few recourses for appeal.

Arbitors may recruit Members of the Nine from the general populace for the purposes of seeking verdict, though in some instances, either the Arbitor or the Involved Parties may request a convention of Tribunal composed of experts related to case matters.

Arbitors may be called in to provide witness within Ranger Tribunals as their areas of expertise may lend clarity along the way to a fair decision, but Arbitors are rarely called to arbitrate the actual cases themselves unless a) a swift judgment must be made AND b) there exists a compromise of the immediate military court due to conflict of interest.

In some areas of the West, Arbitors may be referred to as "Assessors." However, this name is not common.

Arbitors rely on specialized fields of knowledge, thus their educational background in these fields is extensive. This being said, this knowledge may be largely academic in nature, rather than in field experience, though if this is the case, it must be made apparent in the court.

Arbitors are rarely youthful: many transition into Arbitration after (or during) careers in the field.

Those who wish to serve as Arbitor often spend mentorship under other Arbitors, observing the progression of cases, before applying for rank. Even after ascending to full rank, Arbitors are required continue this practice of observation for a certain number of hours per year, in order to maintain their rank and to remain relevant in their practices.

Many Arbitors continue to work within their fields of specialty until called upon, though the Arbitor must disclose if potential conflicts of interest arise based on their current work experiences, and they may be dismissed from duty should the Involved Parties prove that such conflicts create an unnatural bias.

As the Empire grew and peaceminded contact with other Races deepened, both Arbitration and Consensus arose from a need to delve more deeply into legal matters that were muddied by unfamiliar cultures and which required more than simple Peacekeeping.

Though the process of Consensus is the preferred handling of disputes (especially when such issues are complex or require long term solutions), the practice of Arbitration arose from a need to handle cases that were relatively straightforward: whether to help alleviate the caseload of Consensors by giving quick judgment when cases were relatively clear in nature, and/or to find resolution when such cases fell into the fields of specialized knowledge whose implementation would lend quick and adequate clarity to a decision.

Though initial judgments were made by local individuals considered by their immediate societies to be wise, fair, and neutral, it soon became apparent (especially when adding other cultural values to the mix or when the cases impacted several groups), that in the pursuit of fairness, a more rigorous standard must be applied to those who serve in these manners. The formal rank of Arbitor was created.