The Legal Definition of a Mandalorian

 The planet Mandalore has had a long and troubled history, rife with conflict and strife.  The Mandalorians were known galaxy-wide as a fearsome warrior populace who battled the Jedi, the Empire, and even themselves in civil war.  As part of their rigid internal culture, they were bound by certain rules and conventions.  The Mandalorian Creed was their main set of rules that defined what it meant to be a "true Mandalorian." This included attributes such as loyalty, solidarity, and a commitment to helping fellow Mandalorians.  Another element of the Creed was that the Darksaber--the ancient black-bladed lightsaber originally owned by Tarre Vizsla--could be won in battle, and the victor that wielded the blade could lead all of Mandalore. 

While the Mandalorian Creed was the core set of governing rules, other members of Mandalorian society splintered off to create even stricter rules of behavior.  The Way of the Mandalore was a quasi-religious code of conduct that purported to honor traditional Mandaloran heritage.  "The Way," as it is referred to amongst its followers, include beliefs that foundlings should be protected and nurtured; that Mandalorians should never remove their helmets in front of another living being or risk being expelled from the order; and that lack of adherence to these tenets would result in curses and prophesized disasters. 

These differing sets of rules create inconsistencies in defining what it means to be a Mandalorian.  The classic case study is of bounty hunter Din Djarin, who removed his helmet in an extenuating circumstance and was expelled from the sect of the Children of the Watch.  However, while they no longer considered him a Mandalorian pursuant to "The Way," under the broader Mandalorian Creed, he should technically be considered a Mandalorian in good standing.  Due to the militaristic and conflict-laden culture of the society, it is difficult to persuade governing bodies or local courts to reinstate legal status.  It requires counsel with a deep knowledge and understanding of Mandalorian history, culture, and process, of which the Galactic Law Group has much experience.

May the Law Be With You!