Code of Houses

The Code of Houses was a set of laws that governed Klingon Houses. One provision among the Code was a dispensation for a warrior who serves against the Klingon Empire but was doing so as part of a Sword Oath.

Gowron had the possibility of providing dispensation to Worf during the Empire short term conflict with the Federation but instead chose Discommendation of the House of Mogh. (DS9 novel: Vengeance)