Duchies of Ventora

The duchies of Ventora (ducados, sing. ducado) are the first-level of the  of Ventora. Many of them trace their roots back to their predecessor before the formation of the Kingdom of Ventora elevated many nobles in rank.

Due to the deaths of all royal family members from the royal train derailment in 1961, the s and duchesses no longer owe personal fealty to Ventora's, the regent. The Protocols of State, an addendum to the Treaty of Terelle which ended the War of the Three Capitals, layered a commonwealth form of government over the legal structure of the kingdom in 1964. As a result, the duchies are semi-autonomous, joined together in a relationship with each other and the national. Unrest in the early 1970s led to several reigning dukes surrendering power to their and ducal s. An amendment to Ventora's Fundamental Law, the national, required changes to the charters (constitutions) of all the duchies. This brought them all into similar structures with the dukes more or less ceremonial heads of their duchies and the heads of government as elected rather than appointed positions.

Constitutional and statutory framework
The Fundamental Law of Ventora was amended in 1978 to make the reigning dukes and duchesses hereditary heads of their duchies with most powers of governance vested into an elected head of government. Thus, the role of the dukes and duchesses today is more ceremonial than governing. Each duchy has its own elected parliament and separate judiciary branch, the basic structure of which is specified in the duchy's charter document. The charter serves as an and constitutional document for the duchy. Each duchy is then free to determine the makeup of its executive branch, composition of its legislative branch, and the electoral processes to be used, so long as there is universal suffrage at not more than twenty years of age.

Legal powers
In accordance with the Fundamental Law of Ventora, matters of international affairs and defense are reserved to the national state. Likewise, the general framework for the economy and social welfare is set at the national level. Absent a superseding interest for the commonwealth as whole, other matters and the specifics of economic conditions and social welfare is devolved to the duchies. The duchies determine the degree of autonomy for their constituent counties and municipalities.

Each duchy has a legislature, the structure of which is defined in the duchy's charter. Some are unicameral, most are bicameral, and that of is tricameral, all with widely varying numbers of members. At least one chamber of the legislature must consist of members elected on the basis of. All the legislatures have the authority to introduce and pass bills to become law within the duchy.

The duchies have the right to establish taxation to finance their governance and meet obligations set on behalf of the commonwealth, such as for social assistance programs. Import and export tariffs, business income, and certain excise taxes, such as those on alcohol, tobacco, and non-medical drugs, are reserved to the national government. Duchies commonly set goods and services, personal income, and property taxes within constraints set by the national government. Not all duchies levy all the taxes authorized and the rates vary among the duchies.

An organic law in each duchy defines the structure of the judiciary within the duchy. In general, these judiciaries serve both ducal and commonwealth laws. In this manner, duchies need not duplicate laws already existing on behalf of the commonwealth. The Fundamental Law proscribes a person being charged under similar laws for the same offense, sometimes referred to as preventing double jeopardy. Decisions of the highest court in a duchy may be appealed to the Supreme Court of the Realm which may agree or decline to review the matter, in which the case the lower court ruling stands.