(1) If you had the opportunity to live in the capital city of any sovereign nation, other than Talossa, which would it be and why?
Washington, D.C. I love the city and in my extratalossan hours I am a political activist, so it appeals.
(2) What are your views on derivativism versus peculiarism? Is Talossa a sovereign nation, or just a fun little club?
I'm a derivatist.
(3) What are the differences that you understand to exist between law and equity, in the context of justice? Do these differences exist in Talossa?
The law must be equitable in the sense that it applies to everyone equally, but equal application doesn't always result in equitable treatment. That is to say: a single standard may perpetuate or even exacerbate underlying inequities. These differences do exist here.
(4) Is "justice" a distinct and separate concept than law and equity? Is it instead the consequential result of law and equity? Maybe neither? Why?
They're all distinct concepts, however related. I'm not sure I'd say that justice is simply the additive result of law and equity, since there are other factors at work (practicality, for one).
(5) Do you speak Talossan competently? Why or why not?
No. I was learning very gradually, although I stopped a few months ago, when I lowered my "Talossa time."
(6) Should everyday Talossans make a point to learn the language? Why or why not?
They should try, since it's our greatest cultural treasure.
(7) Should courts of record in Talossa make their proceedings available (whether during proceedings or in translations of their transcrupts) in Talossan? Why or why not?
No. It's impractical right now, since only two or three people could do that and no one would read them. Even the law isn't in Talossan yet.
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What are your favorite hobbies during freetime?
Writing.
(9) Are you a reader, a writer, a speaker, or a listener?
A writer.
(10) Do you have a favorite podcast to recommend?
In Our Time with Melvin Bragg.
(11) What would be three books, articles, or other such materials that you might recommend to all of Talossa for reading?
Moby Dick by Melville, Pale Fire by Nabokov, and the Strategy of Conflict by Thomas Schelling.
(12) What sort of latitude should a judge exercise in his/her discretion while forming a judgement? Can a judge go “too far”?
The latitude available under the law is the exclusive range of latitude that should be or could be available to a judge.
(13) What is abuse of discretion? How can it be recognized by a lawyer or especially by a layman?
Abuse of discretion is, as I understand it, a judge acting out of turn during proceedings, favoring their own judgment above the facts or the law of a case. I'm not sure of any obvious method for recognizing it, beyond noticing when a judge mostly cites their own reasoning rather than precedent, law, or argument.
(14) What sort of consequence (other than the extreme of impeachment) should Talossa place on judges who may exercise abuse of discretion, commit plain errors, or otherwise cause a misapplication of the law?
Practically speaking, probably none. In time, if the judiciary grows sufficiently, then censure from a judicial panel might make sense. But right now the entire active legal community is like four people.
(15) Whichever such consequences may be placed as in the above question, how should they be undertaken? Administratively, perhaps? But Talossan judges don’t earn a salary. Perhaps Talossan judges should face no admonishment for their errors?
Censure.
