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{{Tsm’syen Law Page
|title=Elders do not replace house or clan authority
|status=Working
|category=Tsm’syen Law
}}

== Core Principle ==
Elders do not replace '''house or clan authority'''.

== Meaning ==
In Tsm’syen law, authority is distributed and relational.  
Houses and clans hold inherent jurisdiction over their members, territories, names, and responsibilities.

Elders support, advise, and clarify law; they do not assume or displace the authority held by houses or clans.

== General Principles ==
* '''House authority remains primary:''' Houses retain decision-making authority within their lawful domain.
* '''Clan authority remains intact:''' Clan responsibilities and governance are not absorbed by elders.
* '''Advisory role of elders:''' Elders provide guidance, not command.
* '''Distributed authority:''' Law is upheld through multiple, balanced centers of authority.
* '''Respect for jurisdiction:''' Elders act within, not beyond, the boundaries of house and clan authority.

== Lawful role of elders ==
Elders may:
* clarify Ayaawx as it applies to a dispute or question
* advise houses or clans on process and balance
* recall precedent through Adaawx
* help prevent escalation or misuse of power
* assist in restoring relationship when asked

Elders do not:
* issue binding decisions in place of houses or clans
* assume jurisdiction over names, crests, or territory
* override house-based accountability
* centralize authority

== Limits ==
* Elders do not act as a governing body unless lawfully constituted.
* Authority exercised without house or clan consent lacks legitimacy.
* Persistent overreach damages trust and limits interpretive authority.

== Modern context ==
This principle protects Tsm’syen governance from:
* centralization of power
* advisory bodies becoming de facto rulers
* external systems that favor hierarchical control
* erosion of house-based law and responsibility

== Cross references ==
* [[Ayaawx]]
* [[Elders as Interpreters of Law]]
* [[Constraints on interpretation]]
* [[Elders do not override Ayaawx]]
* [[Interpretation does not eliminate responsibility]]
* [[Limits on authority]]
* [[Why a house holds authority in a territory]]
* [[Maintain balance across houses]]