10 Weirdest Laws In The Star Trek Universe

Non-interference with an alien culture is the highest law of Federation and Starfleet society, only to be overruled by the Omega Directive. It specifically states that Starfleet cannot get itself involved in internal planetary politics, nor expose itself to a pre-warp civilisation for any reason.

This rule was written by a committee without fully grasping the far-reaching consequences, setting up various Starfleet officers for failure along the way, not to mention James T. Kirk, who seemed to treat the law as a funny guideline.

In Archer's day, the directive didn't exist and increasing numbers of issues with first contact called for its drafting. Yet there were numerous instances where this incredibly important rule was simply ignored. There were times when it was due to criminal activity, which doesn't reflect on Starfleet. John Gill knew that he was flouting the law when he established himself as the Fuhrer of Ekos.

Yet what of Admiral Dougherty and his alliance with Son'a, allegedly sanctioned by the Federation Council? What of Admiral Haftel and the attempted annexation of Lal, even after the hearing to determine Data's sovereign right to life?

This rule, while fantastic in theory, has so many loopholes, allowances, changes and issues that its less of a firewall and more of Hadrian's wall, causing only slight annoyance. Kirk's smile says it all, really.

Oh, you want to impose General Order 1?

Cute.