Katrapetch Royal Judicial Service
The Katrapetch Royal Judicial Service was an arm of the Court Circle of Katrapetch, responsible for administering criminal and civil law within the city.
Structure
The Supreme Judge Of Katrapetch headed the Service, supported typically by between six to ten senior judges, with sufficient authority and experience to conduct high level trials at the four major Kaanoon Khanein (Houses of Law, plural).
The Royal Judicial Service retained its own force of about twenty arcane security specialists, known as the Wardens of the Judicium to protect the integrity of the Kaanoon Khanein and to defend against any attempts to tamper with the integrity of the legal system by any means. Interestingly, this force was the only other independent organisation permitted to employ magic users in the city, outside the remit of the Arcane Advisors.
At full strength, a further forty five magistrates were employed to work in the Justice Tables.
The enforcement and investigation arm of the service, replaced local militia in the first three hundred years or so of its existence. This was much larger than the strictly judicial function and formed an effective police service for Katrapetch which operated in tandem with Palace security, if not always harmoniously.
Public Agenda
The Service prided itself on being true to its motto "The Law bows only to Truth", an ancient boast deriving from the rights and duties imposed on it by Raja Samir Vidhura. Everyone should be equal before the law and even a Raja can be held accountable. In practice the Service was still a part of the Court Circle of Katrapetch and whilst it was undoubtedly much better than the chaotic mess of rules and regulations that came before it, it is not clear that it always adhered to the high standards it proclaimed. The Raja, after all, appointed the Supreme Judge Of Katrapetch and had ways and means of exerting subtle pressure on occasion.
Assets
The Service operated from four separate Kaanoon Khana (a House of Law, singular), the name used for the court buildings where important trials were conducted. These were all imposing structures acquired or built for the Service and extended as the city grew.
The High Kaanoon Khana stood on the southern bank of the Jold River, opposite to the Katrapetch Phryne Market and the Royal Palace of Katrapetch. This was the most important court and was presided over by the Supreme Judge Of Katrapetch. It is shown in the illustration at the head of the article.
The other centres were the Petch Kaanoon Khana not far from the west bank of the river Petch, the Halaban Kaanoon Khana in the heart of the Vassith district, which often handled commercial disputes between Celovass farmers and clothing workshops and finally the Red Street Kaanoon Khana, also south of the Jold.
In addition to the four major Kaanoon Khana, eight small Justice Tables handled relatively minor cases associated with low level crime. These were scattered throughout the city.
History
The Katrapetch Royal Judicial Service was founded in 6422 BPC by the Raja Samir Vidhura. Prior to the creation of the service, justice in the city had been administered by district magistrates who were very often under the direct or indirect control of local wealthy families. Sufficiently important or controversial cases were referred up to the Raja himself for a definitive ruling but in general the legal framework was patchy and inconsistent. Corruption was rife and even the aristocrats who supposedly benefited from their manipulation of the system, struggled to resolve conflicts of interest between them in a peaceable and mutually agreeable manner.
It was plain to the Raja that trade, commerce and good governance of the city could not depend on his constant intervention. The Katrapetch Royal Judicial Service was put together with the most respected and independent minded legal practitioners, to deliver judgements without fear or favour and to forge a new reputation for the probity, consistency and reliability of the application of law in Katrapetch.
Disbandment
Interestingly, when Prince Rygarde broke the power of the Court Circle of Katrapetch during the Limit Protectorate he retained at least the trappings of the Royal Judicial Service, however it would not last for long.
The Loyalist Thaumatic Army Council abolished it shortly after they gained control of the city, accusing the judges of collaborating with the Limit Prince. They imposed their own justice councils from 5187 APC.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
The Law bows only to Truth
1st Mald, 6422 BPC - 1st Tivith, 5187 APC
Type
Civil Services
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Founders
Parent Organization
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Raja Samir Vidhura by DMFW with Midjourney
Comments