Are questions about Robert's Rules of Order and similar topics on-topic on Law Stack Exchange?
Example question: When should a point of order be raised for an error by the chair in calling a vote?
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Why would it not be on topic? Maybe we are missing something from your question.– Iñaki ViggersCommented Sep 28, 2022 at 10:57
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1Yes, but asking if they are isn’t. ;)– Michael HallCommented Sep 28, 2022 at 14:43
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Roberts Rules aren't the law, so it seems to me that the answer would generally be that it's off-topic.– bdb484Commented Sep 29, 2022 at 0:37
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1@bdb484 would you mind posting that as an answer so it can be voted on?– SomeoneCommented Sep 30, 2022 at 4:46
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1Whatever the answer for Law.SE, note that there are many questions on this subject over on Politics.SE, where it is definitely on-topic. See, for example, the tags legislative-process and procedure.– Steve MelnikoffCommented Oct 4, 2022 at 9:28
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4 Answers
Yes
Certainly questions about the rules of procedure used in legislative bodies, such as municipal councils, state or provincial legislatures, or national legislatures (e.g. the US Congress or the UK Parliament) should be on-topic. At the municipal level, a published set of rules such as Robert's Rules of Order is often used. At the national level, each body tends to have its own unique rules.
It will depend what the question asks. If it relates to, for example, these from our Help Centre:
Legal terms and language, doctrines and theory
Legal process and procedure
Historical legal applications
Then, probably, yes: it will be on-topic. But without knowing the question it's not possible to give a definite answer either way.
Yes
We do not limit ourselves only to the law as enacted and enforced by governments.
Legal questions about private law such as contracts, rules of sport or games, or rules of meetings are fine.
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3I agree in general, with some reservations about "rules of sport or games", I think I wiwill ask a separate mera question about that., Commented Sep 30, 2022 at 17:25
Parliamentary procedure is only on topic, if it is set up with a law or legal document, which makes that law or document the topic of the question.
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1Robert's Rules of Order are legally binding in many organizations, because the bylaws specify that RROR govern meetings and laws make the bylaws govern the organization. Is that enough to make RROR on topic?– SomeoneCommented Sep 29, 2022 at 2:22