Arbiter of Succession

• Ritual position in Klingon High Council
• Holds duty of overseeing rites of succession for a new chancellor when near death by means other than combat, resulting in no clear claimant for the position (ENT Novel: Live by the Code; TNG: "Redemption", "Redemption II")
• Neutral overseer chosen by the outgoing Chancellor prior to their death to ensure a fair selection process (ENT Novel: Live by the Code; TNG: "Redemption", "Redemption II")
  • If the Chancellor dies prior to selecting an Arbiter, the High Council may select one in their stead
• When a choice of successor is unclear, the Arbiter may invoke the rite of ja'chuq, in which all claimants recite their achievements and deeds in order to demonstrate their worthiness as chancellor (ENT Novel: Live by the Code; TNG: "Redemption", "Redemption II")
  • Extremely rare to invoke, as it requires a full accounting, and thus can excessively prolong the process (ENT Novel: Live by the Code; TNG: "Redemption", "Redemption II")
• The arbiter may select the manner of the final challenge between the two selected candidates (ENT Novel: Live by the Code)
  • Since the ascension of the warrior caste c.2100, with one exception, mortal combat has been the selected method (ENT Novel: Live by the Code)
• Known Arbiters of Succession
  • 2165: Deqan
  • 2367: Jean-Luc Picard