Clans may hold jurisdiction in inter-house matters.
Clans May Hold Jurisdiction in Inter-House Matters
Category: Tsm’syen Law Page status: Working
Purpose
This entry affirms that clans may hold jurisdiction where matters involve more than one house. Clan jurisdiction supports lawful resolution when inter-house relationships, responsibilities, or balance are affected.
Core Principle
Clans may hold jurisdiction in inter-house matters.
Meaning
Inter-house matters include disputes or obligations that:
- Involve members of more than one house
- Affect relationships between houses
- Cannot be resolved within a single house without imbalance
- Require broader witnessing and recognition
In such cases, jurisdiction may move to the clan level.
Basis of Clan Jurisdiction
Clan jurisdiction is grounded in:
- Ayaawx governing relationships between houses
- Shared responsibility across member houses
- Broader knowledge of inter-house history and adaawk
- Capacity to witness, interpret, and restore balance beyond a single house
Clan jurisdiction arises from scope, not hierarchy.
Relationship to House Jurisdiction
Clan jurisdiction does not replace house responsibility.
- Houses remain responsible for their members
- Clan involvement addresses the relationship between houses
- Matters may return to house-level action after clan guidance
Movement to the clan level follows necessity, not preference.
Limits of Clan Jurisdiction
Clan jurisdiction is limited when:
- Matters remain internal to a single house
- Scope does not exceed house capacity
- Competence or relationship is lacking
Jurisdiction must not exceed lawful placement.
Relationship to Elders
Elders may:
- Offer guidance
- Assist in interpretation
- Support restoration
Elders do not assume clan jurisdiction or override house responsibility.
Continuity
By recognizing clan jurisdiction in inter-house matters, Tsm’syen law preserves proper placement of authority, supports balanced resolution, and maintains continuity across houses and generations.
See also: