Sealand is the country with the lowest per-capita crime rate in the world. This is probably because it also has the smallest population of any sovereign nation. The Principality of Sealand is a former anti-aircraft platform built by the United Kingdom during World War 2. Abandoned after the war, it was occupied in 1967 by Paddy Roy Bates, a former major in the British army turned pirate radio enthusiast. He seized the platform after recognizing that it was outside of the territorial limits of the United Kingdom, and named himself monarch of this new land.


What is your official position in the government of Sealand?
I am Michael of Sealand. Prince Regent and appointed head of state.

Are you, technically, a monarch?
Yes.
 
As a monarch, are you above the laws that govern other inhabitants of Sealand?
No one is above the law.
 
Sealand probably has the lowest crime rate in the world, what is your crime rate per annum?
The last major crime we had was when we were attacked by terrorists in 1978 since then we have deported one person for drinking while on guard duty and another for theft. We hardly have any crime.
 
What sort of legal/court system, if any, do you have? Is there a death penalty? Has anyone had to be incarcerated since the attempted coup/takeover/terrorist attack?
No death penalty and we prefer to deport. Our law is based on British common law.



Are there any noteworthy things that are legal in Sealand but not in the UK, or vice-versa?
Not really. Sealand is normally dry for staff for safety reasons. Much like the US navy I believe.
 
Is there a criminal code that governs what crimes will get someone deported, and what will result in mere censure? Is the mere act of stealing anything at all, sufficient to warrant deportation or is there a threshold, like the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony.
Mainly common sense but no one in such a small community wants to live with a thief and a thief when discovered would not want to stay!
 
Do you have a barrister? Are trials ever held or are offenders sentenced on the apparent merits of a case without one?
We make sure there is a lawyer present and some independent witnesses, usually journalists.
 
Is there a police force of any kind?
Sealand “Special Unit” a small Para military force that defends the state.


 
I see that Sealand is actively courting those looking for a neutral site for their Internet servers/services. Explain the idea to me a little bit and perhaps break down what happened with the whole Pirate Bay "buyout"? How would Sealand work if used as a "data haven”?
Our data haven is for those wanting a free jurisdiction with very little red tape governed by a moral code acceptable to the world in general but perhaps not certain states i.e. the USA is against online gamming. Pirate bay did not fit in this category as they infringe proprietary rights.
 
I know there were some issues with people forging Sealand passports, what exactly was the problem and how did the government address it
We stopped issuing passports and conducted an investigation. Other countries even the UK have the same problems.