Market magistrate

"Some jackass tries to smuggle slaves, and now the Admiralty just stick their nose in every part of my ship."
-an irritated merchant captain.

Market magistrates are officials found in the Avadian Sovereignty. They are, as the name suggests, magistrates in charge of operations in the many ports and markets of the Sovereignty.
A market magistrate has been deputised by the Avadian Admiralty to administer trade in a particular area of jurisdiction on behalf of the Sovereignty. This usually involves ensuring that trade flows freely in an area, conducting inspections of traders and mertchant vessels, confiscating stolen or illicit goods, arresting criminals, and collecting revenue from traders.

Career

Qualifications

While in theory the role of market magistrate is open to any Avadian citizen, a somewhat advanced knowledge of economics, law and governance is needed, in addition to good literacy, to carry the job out effectively. As a result, most magistrates tend to be either independent traders, members of relatively wealthy families, Admiralty officers and career public servants.

Career Progression

Due to its involvement in civic life, along with the connections one can make in day to day operations, being a market magistrate is usually considered a stepping stone for anyone seeking a career in the public service, usually within the Avadian Admiralty government apparatus itself.

Payment & Reimbursement

Market magistrates are paid directly by the Admiralty, and attract a salary that allows them to live quite comfortably.

Perception

Purpose

Market magistrates fulfilled important purposes in trade and Admiralty operations, including;

• Maintaining order in the markets. While not all markets are subject to this, some of the largest, such as the Xiran Markets in Port Avadia, hold hundreds of stalls and buildings, and see potentially thousands of traders and customers pass by every day in a relatively crowded space. Through their co-ordination of market operations, magistrates are vital for ensuring the markets remain safe, that traffic flows without interruption, and that crime is kept to a minumum.
• Regulating trade. While the Sovereignty has a reputation for allowing the trade of just about anything, there are still trades that are controlled or proscribed; for example, slavery is illegal in the Sovereignty. Market magistrates are responsible for stopping the trade of illicit goods. They also investigate and put down unfair methods of trade, such as protection rackets or counterfeiting.
• Revenue collection. While traders chafe at the idea, the Sovereignty, and by extension the Admiralty, can't function without funding or resources coming in. The collection of trade taxes, plus rent for stalls, stores and harbour berths, helps keep the government apparatus functional.

Social Status

Market magistrates are often seen as an inconvenience, particularly by traders and entrepreneurs who bristle at their enforcement of order and law, some going as far as to deem them an unnecessary waste of time. The position itself is not seen as having any kind of stigma to it (beyond the odd impression of a ladder-climbing bureaucrat), but it is somewhat unappreciated.

Operations

Workplace

A market magistrate's workplace depends on exactly where they are working, but in general they operate out of small dedicated buildings where the magistrates supervising a particular economic area can work and be visited. In the larger settlements such as Port Avadia or Freemarket, market magistrates have their own sections of an Admiralty headquarters.

Dangers & Hazards

While a market magistrate's life is generally quite risk-free, there are dangers. As administrators in a privileged position, a magistrate can attract the ire of powerful merchants should they rule against them or hinder their operations. Generally this is not a danger, but there are some unsavoury individuals who would not have a problem roughing up or threatening a magistrate. Likewise, magistrates can face the ire of angry customers or patrons of the market, and these can sometimes become quite heated and threatening.

Type

Government

Used By

• Avadian Admiralty
• Avadian Sovereignty