The law court recognizes the importance of intent. A man who kills another man in a quarrel must swear he did not do so intentionally, and if found to be truthful, he may only be fined in accordance with the rank of the deceased. On the other hand, carelessness and neglect resulting in death or injury to an animal or person will generally result in severe punishment.
Throughout the law, respect is paid to status. Suspicion is not enough to invoke punishment through the law court. The criminal must be witnessed in the act or evidence must be gathered to prove involvement. For example, a man could not be convicted of theft unless the goods are found in his possession.
In the case of a lawsuit, the plaintiff must profer his own plea. This plea must be in writing, and those who cannot write may rely on a notary public to draft the plea. The judge will then see the plea, call parties before him, and send for witnesses. If the witnesses do not comply, the case may be adjourned and the witnesses forcefully detained in order to render their testimony to the court. A trial may not be adjourned for more than six months.
Cases involving a great deal of wealth or the taking of life are usually tried by a bench of judges in a law court. The decision of the judges will then be passed on to a body of elders both living and unliving, who will then share in the decision.
Agreements, declarations and non-contentious cases will only be witnessed by one judge and twelve living elders.
Parties and witnesses in the law court will be put to oath, both magical and spiritual in nature. The penalty for false witness is that which was to be sentenced to the accused. In matters beyond the knowledge of men, such as the guilt or innocence of a practitioner of magic, an appropriate department of the arcane college shall preside as expert witness over the proceedings.
Plaintiffs may swear to their own losses in certain cases, as when losses are incurred by brigands, or when the plaintiff swears on the price paid for servants or goods purchased abroad. Great stress is laid on the production and examination of written evidence in these cases, and no plaintiff shall take his documentation lightly if he wishes to be taken seriously.
Decisions made in the law court are written, sealed and witnessed by the judges presiding, the elders accounting, the witnesses giving their testimony and the scribe who records it. One of these records is to be stored in the palace archives and one is to be given to each of those involved in the record's production as mentioned above.
If the seven law courts fail to act on information or accusation, a citizen of the city may bring his matter before the king of Ebih and the Superior Court.
