Overview

This is a novice committee, it is recommended that delegates who are new to Model UN compete in this committee.

England, 1215. Tensions between King John of England and his barons have reached a breaking point after years of heavy taxation, military failures, and disputes over royal authority. In response, a group of rebellious nobles has compelled the king to negotiate, leading to the drafting of what will become the Magna Carta. This committee represents the key parties tasked with negotiating the terms of this agreement. Delegates must balance competing interests and preserve stability in the kingdom, addressing important issues like taxation, feudal obligations, and the rights of the Church. Each clause must be carefully considered to negotiate peace. This committee will begin with General Assembly procedure before transitioning into crisis procedure, with no backroom.

Topic: Drafting the Magna Carta

The barons have had enough. King John rules using the principle of vis et voluntas–force and will, making executive and arbitrary decisions simply because he is king. After confronting the King, he has agreed to negotiate with the barons to address their grievances over heavy taxation, arbitrary justice, and abuses of royal authority, while still preserving the structure of the feudal system. This committee is tasked with the challenge of balancing royal power against the demands of the nobility and clergy and maintaining stability. They must also consider how to ensure fair legal processes and define the rights and obligations of different groups within society. The stakes are high, as each provision will shape the relationship between ruler and subjects. Through negotiation and careful drafting, delegates will determine which principles are codified and how they are enforced in order to find a lasting solution for peace.